Residents demand safety measures against construction hazards

Residents of Kennewick voiced their concerns during a recent city council meeting regarding the construction of a new building, The Falls on 24th, located at 4112 West 24th Avenue. Carolina Cole, a local resident, expressed frustration that the property was initially marketed as commercial land, but is now being developed into a residential structure directly behind their homes.

Cole highlighted significant safety concerns, particularly the risk posed by a parking lot situated adjacent to their backyards. She noted that the construction company, Elite Construction, initially promised to erect a safety wall but later claimed it was against city code to do so. This has left residents feeling vulnerable, as they fear a vehicle could easily enter their yards, potentially causing harm.

Another resident, Connie Jacobson, echoed these sentiments, stating that the promised privacy fence was replaced with California cedar trees that grow slowly and do not provide adequate safety. She described the dangerous drop-offs behind their homes, which further exacerbate their worries about safety.

In addition to the construction issues, Donald Kenning raised a separate concern regarding the accessibility of city council meeting recordings on the city’s website. He suggested that features allowing viewers to adjust playback speed or skip sections would enhance the experience for residents wanting to stay informed.

The meeting concluded with council members acknowledging the public comments but did not provide immediate solutions to the residents' concerns. The community is now looking to the city council for assistance in addressing the safety issues related to the ongoing construction.