MATTAWA — The Port of Mattawa has been awarded a $200,000 Grant County Strategic Infrastructure Program Grant to extend sections of Steven Street near the intersection with Government Road.  

Gil Alvarado, the port executive director, said the money will help with the development of additional retail options near SR 243.  

"Steven Street is essential to the community's next phase of growth," Alvarado said in a press release announcing the award.  

The goal is to extend and improve Steven Street to the end of port-owned property. The money will be used to pay for design and engineering, including civil constructions plans, permitting and environmental review, the release said. 

The port-owned property is behind a church and is accessed from Government Road. The paved section of Steven Street ends at the port property. 

Alvarado said in a separate interview that port officials are working with a developer to add retail at the intersection of SR 243 and Government Road, and the McDonald's fast food chain is among the prospective tenants.  

"We are actively seeking businesses for that retail center, and the anchor would be McDonald's," he said.  

Other development is planned in that area, including additional housing built by Catholic Charities, Alvarado said. That development is further east on Government Road, near the intersection of Brian Avenue South and Maureen Avenue. 

The property is in the city limits, and Mattawa officials are working with the port and Catholic Charities on infrastructure improvements.