ABOUT US > History

In 1990, a non-profit corporation, the Tri-Cities Science and Technology Park, was created to help market the available land and buildings in a 4,500 acre area in North Richland. Its board represented the major land and building owners and representatives of companies who leased office space in the area.

In 2002, the City of Richland rezoned most of North Richland into a new business-research park zone, to facilitate the attraction of new research and technology companies to the area.

In 2005, Angelou Economics engaged stakeholders from throughout the Tri-Cities area to participate in a strategic planning process. Their recommendations provided the basis for a new direction for the research park. In 2007, the Board was reconstructed, bylaws were revised and the Tri-Cities Research District was formed.

In 2006, Solaris Group, a large real estate developer, purchased much of the existing Stevens Center Business park and other undeveloped property within the district.

In 2007, the State of Washington created a new Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ) program and the Tri-Cities Research District was named one of the 11 newly-designated zones.In 2008, it received a $275,000 grant to assist with planning and implementing new capital projects located within the zone.

In March 2008, Solaris, PNNL and the Port of Benton contracted with TVA Architects of Portland, OR and later, WSU-TC, to complete a six-month master plan for 500 acres of their property.