Tri‑Cities Rivershore Enhancement Council
The concept for the Tri-Cities Rivershore Enhancement Committee was initiated by the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau in the late 1990’s as an important step in destination development.
1995
- TCVCB Board Retreat establishes Rivershore Enhancement as a goal and initializes TREC
- Rivershore Enhancement Summit re-ignites shoreline efforts.
1996
- TCVCB secures "3161" funding, establishes TREC as a TCVCB committee.
- WRDA '96 Land Conveyance - Kennewick, Pasco, Richland.
- "Kennewick Man" bones discovered in Columbia Park (July).
1997
- TREC names the Columbia River Loop Trail.
- TCVCB launches the 1998 Year of the River Campaign.
1998
- Jurisdictions update shoreline master plans.
- Cable Bridge lighting.
- Year of the River painting by Alan Mardon.
- Bechtel joins as corporate partner.
- Family Fishing Pond becomes first Legacy Project.
1999
- Jurisdictions sign agreement prioritizing the Columbia River Loop Trail.
- TREC hires firm for Trail Master Plan.
- Playground of Dreams built.
- TCVCB forms Benton Franklin River Heritage Foundation.
2000
- Bechtel landscapes Family Fishing Pond.
- Trail renamed to Sacagawea Heritage Trail; unveils master plan.
- TCVCB completes Hanford Reach National Monument economic study.
- WRDA 2000 - "Kennewick Man" site exempted from land conveyance (2.6 acres).
2001
- TREC & TCVCB host rivershore enhancement luncheon.
- TREC supports shoreline habitat restoration in Pasco and Richland.
- TCVCB/TREC identify Bechtel legacy projects.
2002
- Bechtel completes Bateman Island, Tapteal Greenway, Richland Riverfront Trail projects.
2003
- Lewis & Clark markers added along Trail.
- Kennewick completes master planning for Bridge to Bridge/River to Railroad.
- Jurisdictions coordinate funding for The Confluence Project.
2004
- Jurisdictions sign long-term shoreline leases with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
2005
- Port of Kennewick begins Clover Island improvements.
- Pasco & Kennewick lower levees between Blue & Cable Bridges.
- Richland builds Lewis & Clark Interpretive Overlook.
- Port of Pasco connects Sacagawea Heritage Trail to Sacajawea State Park.
2006
- First mileage markers installed.
- Kennewick installs Trail kiosks and maps.
2007
- WSDOT completes Hwy 240 bike trail across Yakima River Delta.
- Water Taxi Feasibility Study completed.
- Sacagawea State Park improvements celebrated.
2008
- Pasco lowers levee between Cable Bridge and Pasco Boat Basin.
- Boat dock upgrades in Benton and Franklin Counties.
- Levees lowered near Richland's Howard Amon Park.
- Kiosk signs installed along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail.
- Tri-Cities celebrates Trail completion and hosts the Adventure Challenge.
2009
- Waterfront Center Study and shoreline inventory completed.
- Pompy’s Lessons markers added to the Trail.
- TREC wins Governor’s Smart Choice Community Award.
- 2009 Adventure Challenge introduces 500 community members to the Trail.
2010
- Hosted workshop and field tour for USACE staff and leaders.
- Selected MIG to update Rivershore Master Plan.
- Phase two of Pompy’s Lessons introduced.
- Hosted 2010 Adventure Challenge.
2011
- Hired consultant to update Rivershore Master Plan.
- Worked with USACE on maintenance agreements.
- Hosted 2011 Adventure Challenge.
2012
- Launched Rivershore Master Plan II.
- USACE Walla Walla District Commander tours Tri-Cities.
- Priorities set, focusing on wayfinding signage.
2013
- Focus on wayfinding, heritage, culture, and activities outlined in Master Plan II.
2014
- Hosted field tour for USACE Walla Walla District Commander and team.
2015
- Secured funding for Wayfinding Study, led by TREC and administered by Visit Tri-Cities.
2016
- Merje hired for Wayfinding Plan; public comment sessions held.
- Hosted field tour for USACE Walla Walla District Commander.
2017
- Continued Wayfinding Plan work, presented to City Councils.
2018
- Completed Wayfinding project; shared plan with partners.
- Hosted field tour for USACE Walla Walla District Commander.
- Installed first monument wayfinding sign near Port of Pasco.
2019
- Launched first phase of regional wayfinding with selected design firm.
- Discussed micro-mobility system with TREC and community partners.
2020-2021
- Wayfinding signage implementation continued with gateway, monumental, and directional signs.
2022
- Strategic Planning Retreat held to review Master Plan II recommendations and identify priorities.
- Formed subcommittee to upgrade Cable Bridge lighting to LED. Partners include local cities, ports, PUDs, WSDOT, community members, and Visit Tri-Cities.
2023
- Hosted field tour and meeting for USACE Walla Walla District Commander, Lt. Col. ShaiLin KingSlack, with key USACE staff and local leaders.
- Led creation of the Cable Bridge Illumination Update Interlocal Agreement for council/commissions.
2024
- Finalized Interlocal Agreement between Kennewick, Pasco, and the Ports of Kennewick and Pasco for the Cable Bridge lighting project. A TREC subcommittee began selecting a design consultant.
- Hosted field tour and meeting for new USACE Walla Walla District Commander, Lt. Col. Kathryn Werback, with key USACE staff and local leaders.
Related Content
Community Collaboration
TREC is made up of two committees - the Strategic Committee, which sets the direction for all river shore improvements and activities, and the Technical Committee, which manages the daily operations of the individual projects. The jurisdictions that are represented include: