The City of Zillah is on the cusp of a potential economic boom after making a series of infrastructure improvements and business development investments over the past three years.

The expansion of Vintage Valley Parkway in 2021 paved the way for a number of businesses — including Burger King, Buhrmaster Bakery and Yakima Chief Ranches — to move into lots along the thoroughfare that runs adjacent to Interstate 82. The city owns additional acreage to the north of Buhrmaster and is discussing what to do with that space. 

Future plans are likely to include a public market patterned after the Pybus Market in Wenatchee, Zillah City Administrator Michael Grayum explained.

“We’ve been working on a feasibility study with Washington State Tourism, and we’re hoping that a similar concept could fit here,” he said. “Owning land along this beautiful new road is a huge asset for us, and we want to take full advantage.”

Grayum, who joined the City of Zillah in August 2022, said the city envisions a public marketplace just north of Burhmaster that would feature artisan shops, gourmet foods, local produce, wine, crafts and more.

“We see it as kind of a jumping-off point to visit other places in Zillah and the Lower Valley,” he said, pointing to the 28 estate wineries that call the Yakima Valley home. “We hope this market concept will be a springboard for people to get off the interstate and experience a taste of the valley.” 

The city’s grand vision isn’t just about Vintage Valley Parkway; it also includes development on nearby First Avenue, where the city broke ground on Parkway Plaza in March. 

“This groundbreaking celebration marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter to create a central hub for commerce and culture in the region,” Grayum said of the 15,000-square-foot business park, which will offer a mix of retail stores, restaurants and professional office spaces. 

Anytime Fitness is expected to be the anchor tenant, and a drive-thru retail space is also planned for a coffee shop, pharmacy or something similar.

The plaza is the first of many upcoming projects along the three-mile corridor, which the city decided to expand so it could create a 250-acre commercial- and tourism-zoned corridor with I-82 interchanges at each end. 

The three-mile-long corridor features walking trails that connect with business storefronts and sit adjacent to 160 new homes planned at the nearby Zillah Lakes housing development. 

Grayum said the plaza — near the Zillah Civic Center and Teapot Dome historical site — will be an attractive location for businesses, while wider sidewalks and history-themed décor will serve as additional draws for residents and visitors alike.

“We recently completed a downtown corridor improvement plan, and we’re looking to revitalize the entire historic area,” he said. “We want to celebrate our tradition as an agricultural community, and the new décor will have a farm and fruit theme. It’s really important for us to maintain our hometown feel, but we also want more people to discover everything Zillah has to offer.”

Also in the works are a new splash park and pickleball courts at nearby Stewart Park. Grayum said those projects could be completed as soon as this summer.

“The city has been working on getting a splash park in here for years, and now it’s finally going to happen,” he said. “We’re just going through the final permitting steps, but I would expect it to be open by this summer or fall.”

Even the Civic Center is enjoying an upgrade, complete with a fresh paint job, new locks on the doors and new televisions that will bring community members together to watch movies and sporting events.

When you put it all together, the City of Zillah is well on its way to embracing a new economic vision that will benefit the entire Lower Valley region.

“Zillah has a wonderful mix of all the key elements it takes to have and grow a healthy, vibrant and diverse community,” said Grayum, whose business background is in economic development. “It’s all about pulling people together and building upon all of the great work that’s already taking place. I’m just trying to land the plane.”