KENNEWICK, Wash. – Vista Field hasn’t had much going on lately. If you’ve driven past the area not much has changed. The Port of Kennewick says that might be changing soon.
The Port began working on Vista Field back in 2012; since then the Port of Kennewick has been working on developing an area for residential and commercial opportunities and the area is gaining interest from businesses.
Amber Hanchette, the Director of Real Estate for the Port of Kennewick said at the E-Bike Expo people inquired about the area.
“I did talk to a couple of small business owners that were like I would love to have my business out here,” Hanchette said. “How can I get involved?”
According to Hanchette while it doesn’t look like it, she said things are happening behind the scenes for the project.
“We’ve got several interested parties, which I can’t get into a lot of detail until it goes public to the Port Commission,” she said. “They are working on their proposals to bring forward for the Commission’s consideration on a variety of things.”
Hanchette said those things involve residential and commercial opportunities or a mix of both. She said even though inflation has been a problem, it’s not stopping the interest of Vista Field.
“Interest rates do matter, “said Hanchette. “Especially to the small businesses because it can make the difference of several thousand dollars in their mortgage payment.”
According to Hanchette, the Port is just selling the parcels of land, not building the structures.
Larry Peterson the Director of Planning and Development for the Port of Kennewick said the Port has spent roughly nine million dollars on the project since 2012. Over nine hundred thousand dollars was spent to close the airport, $2.3 million on the master planning and $5.6 million for phase one of the project.
Peterson said the project will be funded through the parcel of land sales at Vista Field.
Hanchette said the old Airplane Hangers at the field are on track and said they are looking to preserve the history of the field.
“We want to go out to bid early year, and then construction will follow, but we are on track to go out to bid the first part of the year,” she said.
According to Hanchette, World War 2 Navy pilots used the field to simulate landing on Aircraft Carriers.
Hanchette said the Port is working as fast as possible on the project, but when will it be noticeable?
“I’m going to say soon,” said Hanchette. “Anybody that’s ever built something of any size or magnitude knows that you have a design period.”
Hanchette said there are a lot of elements that go into a project like Vista Field. She said she’s hoping to have another project in front of the Port Commission in December or January.
