Vista Field event venue will be 1st construction project at old Kennewick airport

Wendy Culverwell

A pair of hangars at a former Kennewick airport will be transformed soon into an event venue in hopes of giving Tri-Citians a reason to visit the site.

The Port of Kennewick secured $3.4 million from Benton County to deconstruct two of three airplane hangars that border the former airstrip.

Vista Field’s first building construction will transform the former general aviation hangars into a pavilion-like gathering spot built around a courtyard and stocked with amenities such as a stage, restrooms and fans.

The idea is to draw the public and the interest of private developers to the 103-acre property just east of the Three Rivers Convention Center and Columbia Center mall.

The port closed the small airport to aviation at the end of 2013 and wants it developed into residential, commercial and retail projects.

“You really have to activate your areas,” said Tim Arntzen, executive director of the port.

Arntzen said the hangar venue could host a Saturday market, public performances by student groups and other events.

“You have to throw in early with interesting things to make the public come out and enjoy the area,” he said.

Vista Field’s first building construction will transform the former general aviation hangars into a pavilion-like gathering spot built around a courtyard.
Vista Field’s first building construction will transform the former general aviation hangars into a pavilion-like gathering spot built around a courtyard.

Redeveloping Vista Field

The port is working to transform Vista Field into a mixed-use hub of western Kennewick.

It completed a $4.9 million project that installed roads, utilities and a water feature during the pandemic and advertised 21 parcels on the 20-acre first phase in 2022.

But progress has been slow and no property sales have been disclosed. Streets, sidewalks and fountains aside, it retains the atmosphere of a windswept airfield.

People attending the grand opening event in June 2022 for the Vista Field phase one site improvements check out the water features at the centerpiece of the first 20 acres.
People attending the grand opening event in June 2022 for the Vista Field phase one site improvements check out the water features at the centerpiece of the first 20 acres.

Benton County is underwriting the hangar project through its Rural County Capital Fund, which is supported by an 0.09% state sales tax rebate and was authorized by the Washington state Legislature as part of the funding package that supported a stadium for the Seattle Seahawks.

Benton County uses the money to support economic development initiatives, and the county commissioners unanimously approved the project on Feb. 7.

CKJT Architects PLLC, one of the port’s longtime design partners for Vista Field, will carry out design work under a $256,000 fee agreement approved on Feb. 14.

The port hopes to welcome guests to the hangar venue by mid 2024.

The county’s rural capital fund awarded nearly $18 million to various public works projects and had $24.3 million available as of January 2023.

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