Dozens of Tri City Heights residents told the Kennewick City Council on Oct. 7 that noise, trash and what they described as increasing street racing and homelessness along Canal Drive are harming their neighborhood and asked the city to pursue a sound barrier and other mitigations.

The requests came during the visitors/public comment portion of the meeting, when residents emphasized public-safety concerns and quality-of-life impacts from traffic and new commercial development along Canal Drive. “We get more traffic, more trash flowing in,” said Adam Place, a Tri City Heights resident, describing repeated incidents of street racing and broken trees affecting homes. “My dog was hit on Canal because there is not a barrier there.”

Why it matters: Residents said problems have grown since fast-food and dining businesses opened on Canal Drive. They asked the council to coordinate with Benton County—because parts of Tri City Heights lie outside city limits—and to consider physical barriers, more regular maintenance of the tree shelterbelt, and stepped enforcement of noise laws.

Residents described multiple concerns. William L. Bennett, a neighborhood resident, asked the council to consider a “sound barrier wall put along between Canal Drive and Umatilla Ave.” Several speakers described dead or falling trees in the shelterbelt that once served as a visual and noise buffer; Tom (last name not specified), who identified himself as a 30‑year firefighter‑paramedic and Tri City Heights resident, said about 17 shelterbelt trees are standing dead and represent a hazard. Nancy Tarara, a long‑time resident, said new businesses have increased litter and rodent problems and that homeless individuals had begun to frequent the area near playgrounds and homes.

Residents proposed a mix of responses: a physical sound wall, maintenance or replacement of the tree shelterbelt, stepped enforcement of vehicle noise laws and targeted policing, and continued collaboration with Benton County. “We have 3 options,” Tom said: a sound wall (expensive), maintenance of the shelter belt, or heightened enforcement of existing noise laws that allow ticketing when a vehicle is audibly excessive. Several speakers also urged the city to restore neighborhood pride by improved trash pickup and policing.

What the council said or did: Council members acknowledged the issues and said they would coordinate with public works and county officials to clarify jurisdiction and potential actions. Mayor Bridal Crawford and other council members indicated inquiries would be made to determine what city responsibilities exist within the “doughnut” of county territory surrounded by Kennewick.

Next steps and limits: Speakers repeatedly noted parts of Tri City Heights are in unincorporated Benton County; residents requested the council examine what the city can do where city property or services are implicated (for example, city‑owned right‑of‑way maintenance). The council did not vote on any ordinance or funding at the meeting; public comment closed after council members said they would follow up with staff and the county.

Closing note: Neighbors asked the city to act relatively quickly to address safety and maintenance problems they said were affecting families and children.