COLUMBIA CENTER MALL - The Kennewick Police Department is facing some tough questions about an area-wide program for kids. It was paid for with tax payer dollars, donations, and volunteers. It was dedicated a year ago, but the doors have never opened.

Our story begins with Cooper Jones. 12 years ago he was hit by a car on his bike. For a week he lay in a hospital bed on life support.

Cooper's dad recalls, "He died in my arms."

Cooper's mom and dad took their anguish to Olympia. Lawmakers unanimously passed the Cooper Jones act. In part, it requires Washington state to provide greater education about bikes and traffic safety.

Not long after, Cooper's Corner opened in Spokane to teach kids and remind their parents.

Fast forward to February 2006. The state approached the coordinator of Benton-Franklin Traffic Safety Task Force, asking for a Cooper's Corner in the Tri-Cities. $40,000 in grant money was free to spend on it.

Coordinator Lynda Lou explained, "I was excited. It was an opportunity to save lives. I was all for that!"

A little more than a year later, construction began. And last summer, Cooper's Corner at Columbia Center Mall was finished. Hundreds came to the dedications, including the heads of the national and state Traffic Safety Commissions.

But, it's been a year. And Cooper's Corner isn't open.

Ruth Fedino donated $5,000 through her job, "I just don't get it. After all of that work and that money...it feels like it's been a waste."

She spoke of her employer, Bright Horizons, "They want to know where the money went. It went into the project. Why is it not open?"

I took those questions to Sergeant Ken Lattin with the KPD.

Ruth asked, "People are angry. They want to know why this project is not open.

Lattin responded, "It's a combination of things, mostly electrical. What i was told is that the city building inspector said it's not up to code."

But Action News found that at one level the electrical work did get approval from the state.

And at least one task force member says the building was ready a year ago.

Action News also found emails with concerns there wasn't a defined volunteer staff. But we also uncovered lists submitted to Kennewick Police more than a year ago of volunteers ready to work.

Ruth asked, "Why did this happen? It's been a year. For over a year you've had the names. Why is it that you have not moved?"

Lattin explained, "We're looking at scheduling. It's quite a project. Working with volunteers takes time."

So when will it open? Cooper's dad said this just last week: "No one can answer my questions about why it's not open or when it will open."

And out of the blue this week, he got an email saying Cooper's Corner will open on Thursday.

Ruth questioned, "Some might say it's ironic, or certainly an odd coincidence that on Wednesday I speak with a member of the task force, and that night, we receive an email stating that after a year Cooper's Corner is opening!"

Lattin replied, "All i know is we've been working on this for a year to get it going."

And that is all the donors and the volunteers and Cooper's father have wanted all along.

Action News began looking at questions from the public about Cooper's Corner nearly a month ago. It's important to note that the program serves the region, and was created by a task force that includes many local agencies. Our questions went to the Kennewick Police Department because it has final approval on what happens in the mall location. The opening is set for Thursday, July 9th.