Work could begin this summer on a $500 million Tuscan-themed village on a ridge east of Yakima, potentially diversifying the economy of an area that already promotes itself as Washington's Palm Springs.
Concentrating growth in towns in order to preserve open space and farmland would be ideal. But planned development is the next best option -- the project already is being compared to Suncadia, a resort community near Ellensburg that targets Seattle refugees.
The Vineyards project would be developed by a group that put together resorts in Crested Butte, Colo. and in Mexico. Eagle Resort Development already mentions the area on its web site.