I’ve joked to my wife about how Spider-Man wouldn’t be very effective in Yakima.

Looking at the quizzical look on her face, I then went into NERD-splaining to her how, with no tall buildings, a big part of his shtick is gone.

She signed, smiled, and shook her head, either in disappointment at her life choices or in defeat of my real life and fantastical marvel mash-up of knowledge.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who has thought about the lack of tall buildings in Yakima, judging by a recent thread on a local Facebook group.

(Although, I might be the only one who put this thought of Yakima skyscrapers with Spider-Man).

yakima sky line with extra buildings
tsm/Timmy - Canva
loading...

How come Yakima doesn’t have any decent-sized skyscrapers or buildings? It’s a decent-sized city.

That was the question asked by Santos Garcia in the local Facebook group ‘WTF Yakima’.

The topic got quite a variety of responses, some negative, some positive, and some humorous.

But Santos does have an interesting and fun question: why doesn’t Yakima have really tall buildings or skyscrapers?

Well, according to Wikipedia, a building is classified as a skyscraper at 490 feet tall or taller, and the Larson building is only 188 feet.

This would make our skyline look impressive and definitely help out a ‘Yakima Spider-Man’.

But out of the over 120 comments in the thread, a few hit the nail right on the head.

Yakima's Answers To Why We Don't Have Skyscrapers Here!

Bobby Mendoza Jr. pointed out the ‘Air Rights’ and how a real estate owner’s license over the vertical space is considered their property.

When you think of air rights, you also have to keep in mind about flight plans with the Yakima Airport.


Giphy.com

Frank Coleman took more of a geological stand: when you have a lot of land available, you build low, but when you don’t have that option, you start building up.

Clayton Lias, Gerard Moore, and Jeremy Bade talked about business and how there is not a lot that would attract business or businesses that would require more tall buildings. Also, the cost of building taller is more expensive than building out.


Giphy.com

Jodi Halcom pointed out how Yakima draws in business, but a lot of that is from tourism, which, when you think about it, people come to the Yakima Valley for the beauty, not the buildings.

2 answers I feel really answer Santos Garcia’s question:

Because we don’t need them. This place is agricultural, not corporate. – Alexis Mendez.

Skyscrapers are for overpopulated cities, which we are not, thankfully. – Courtney Dean.


Giphy.com

What are your thoughts on Mr. Garcia’s question? Tap the App and let us know.

94.5 KATS logo
Get our free mobile app

Up, Up, and Away: 15 of Washington State's Tallest Buildings

Gallery Credit: Reesha Cosby

More From 94.5 KATS