Kennewick declares 3.64-acre parcel surplus and authorizes sale to Housing Authority for affordable housing

The Kennewick City Council on Oct. 1 declared a 3.64-acre parcel (Lot 2 created by a binding site plan) surplus and authorized the mayor to sign a purchase-and-sale agreement with the Kennewick Housing Authority for $189,858 to support development of affordable housing.

Planning Director Anthony Moy explained the item as a step following an interlocal agreement with the Housing Authority in 2022. He said the city completed a binding site plan that produced two parcels and removed city operations from Lot 2 (563 E. 13th Ave.), leaving a slightly larger parcel retained for city fleet and operations. Moy told council the city spent approximately $160,000 relocating a wash-down facility and factored that and assessed values into the recommended sale price.

Moy said the Kennewick Housing Authority will construct improvements on the surplus lot; the city’s role was to prepare the site and declare it surplus as a prerequisite to sale. Kennewick Housing Authority Executive Director Matt Truman spoke during public comment to thank the council and said the authority will work to deliver quality affordable housing projects.

Council moved to declare the property surplus and to authorize the mayor to execute the purchase-and-sale agreement; the motions passed unanimously (vote recorded 7–0). Council commentary framed the sale as part of an ongoing effort to increase affordable housing opportunities in Kennewick.

The sale price, per staff, was derived from the parcel’s assessed value ($460,560 pre-subdivision) and equated to a per-acre value used to compute $189,858 as recommended price for the 3.64-acre lot. Moy said site preparation costs were included in the calculation and that the Housing Authority would remove remaining buildings/pavement as part of construction.