The Richland Economic Development Committee will consider the second contract for the sale of former parkland property at 150 Keene Road after the first contract fell through. Committee approval is one of the first steps in the city’s sale process.
Two chiropractors, Dr. Bryson Bunch and Dr. Harprit Nijjer, who practice in the adjacent strip shopping center want to buy the property. One is married to a city employee.
According to the staff report attached to the agenda item:
“Dr. Bunch is the husband of a city employee who works in the Energy Services Department. City staff have not engaged in negotiations with this city employee on the purchase price or any deal points for this proposal, only with Dr. Nijjer and Dr. Bunch, specifically.”
Amendments to Richland Municipal Code 3.06 adopted in 2025 may grease the skids for the sale by allowing the city council to use any method they choose to dispose of the property.
The 2.2 acres of former parkland runs along the back of a strip shopping center on Keene Rd, that includes Sakura and Tap & Barrel restaurants. It is adjacent to the Keene Rd.Trail which will not be included in the sale. A city zoning map shows the property zoned PPF – Parks and Public Facilities.
The city’s first contract did not identify the proposed use for the development of the property.
Other than a site map, no other information about the sale is provided in the public documents for the meeting. City Planner Darin Arrasmith will provide more information at the meeting. The agenda packet indicates that contract details have not been completed.
The first contract fell through.
The owner of one of the shopping center properties at 120 Keene Rd, Lambert Properties LLC, Mike Lambert registered agent, had a purchase and sale agreement for the property approved by the Richland City Council on December 19, 2023, but backed out.
Lambert approached the city about buying the parkland and the city council voted to declare it surplus in early 2023 so it could be sold.
The council approved the sale of 150 Keene Road to Lambert Properties for $544,849. The city agreed to reimburse Lambert for up to $64,736.72 to relocate the stormwater drainage easement and related utilities encumbering the property.
In an usual move by the city, no development requirement was imposed by the city for this property. Typically, contracts for property sales include the plan for development, a timeline and buy-back clauses if the contract requirements aren’t met. These are intended to discourage speculation.
New city code allows the council to sell city property by any method they choose.
Amendments to Chapter 3.06 of the city’s code approved in 2025 added
“auction, solicitation or direct negotiation” to “sealed bids” as a method for selling surplus property.
It appears that the city has chosen “direct negotiation” route with the current buyers ,
The Economic Development Committee meets at 4:00 p.m. in the city council chamber in the Richland City Hall, 625 Swift Blvd.
If it is sold for development, it appears it must be rezoned. As long as it is sold at fair value and all other actions are above board as they would be for any other person/entity purchasing, there should be no issues. I do suggest those concerned would follow this closely every step of the way. Intentions and actions by governmental agencies don’t always happen.
Hi Stacey, I appreciate your comment. Unfortunately, residents have fewer opportunities to follow this “negotiated sale.” The bidding process is more transparent. In addition, this sale comes on the heels of a unanimous vote to approve a bid on a building for over twice what the owner paid just over a year ago. With no one on the council questioning that,it’s not surprising that taxpayers may have some concerns about potential “inside” deals. Thank you for reading the Observer. Randy
That area has issues with the stormwater drainage. Not sure if it was ever properly addressed. The city had a company study the storm drainage, back in maybe 2012. They advised the city of improvements in N. Richland and to the Amon Basin. The Amon basin gets stormwater and irrigation water. Along both sides of Keene, are ditches, which the irrigation water runs. The storm drains also drain into those. When the irrigation ponds get too full they also drain into those ditches. When we have a good down pour, there is too much water for Amon, there are pictures of water over Gage, saw pictures of water in one of the townhomes along the Amon. It’s amazing that for so many people that are on council that live in this area, and nothing is done about it, or hasn’t. And some people think those council members look out for their own area. Now according to the article, the city is going to mess with storm drainage easement. That should just remain a park. It’s nice to walk the trail in that area and have nature instead of buildings right next to the trail. Also have ducks and other wildlife in that area. At one time there used to be Jack rabbits there.
Hi Renee, I appreciate your comment and your information about a 2012 study. I share your concern about the stormwater management. Last night I asked Planner Darin Arrosmith about it. He indicated that the city would allow a long canal next to the trail to accommodate the existing development plus any runoff from the new development. Needless to say, I’m as skeptical as you are about that. I told Mr. Arrosmith that I would be following the matter closely. Today I made a record request for information regarding the original 2008 sale contract for the shopping center property. I guess I need some 2012 documents as well. Thank you for reading the Observer. Randy