Columbia Gardens Wine Village opens with ribbon cutting ceremony
KENNEWICK, Wash. — After months of construction, the first phase of the Columbia Gardens Wine village is complete.
The Port of Kennewick and the Kennewick City Council held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a large crowd Friday afternoon to show off the location.
Port of Kennewick Vice President Don Barnes says the project has been a vision for about ten years.
The ceremony also introduced the village's first two tenants: Bartholomew Winery and Palencia Wine Co. and Monarcha Wines.
Phase Two of the project is expected to add more parking, public art and spots for potential tenants.
Barnes says, "What this demonstrates for the Port is that we can make a difference when we collaborate with the city, with the county, if we listen to our constituents, we can make a difference."
Kennewick Mayor Don Britain says, "To be able to see it go from a piece of paper to actual buildings and businesses, people smiling and happy today and see, not the end result because there is more going, but it really shows what can happen when you partner with good partners."
Port leaders expect the work for Phase Two to start next month. It's expected to be done by the end of the summer.
