KENNEWICK -- Port of Kennewick commissioners unanimously approved an updated master plan for Vista Field on Tuesday with little discussion, apparently ending a long community discussion whether to keep the airport open.
The plan sets a blueprint for developing the airfield over the next 10 years and proposes about $600,000 in capital improvements in the next five years.
Its first year also proposes developing six new hangars, improving related infrastructure and extending taxiways.
The port would spend $165,000 for infrastructure. The other estimated $1.4 million needed for the project is unfunded or would come from private developers.
The plan also proposes sealing and coating pavement on taxiways and aprons in the first year. The port has set aside about $18,000 for the work and plans to apply for a state grant to cover the other $140,000.
The plan proposes rehabilitating a building that formerly housed the fixed-based operator for $50,000 in year two of the plan, then building a new one after the plan's fifth year.
But during the meeting, Port Executive Director Tim Arntzen told commissioners that a member of the Vista Field Advisory Board has expressed an interest in building a new one sooner.
Matt Taylor, Tri-City Herald editorial board member and former pilot, asked why a planned weather station is proposed as a second-year project.
Spencer Montgomery, a transportation planner with J-U-B Engineers, which helped develop the plan, said that was based partly on funding.
He said grant funding might become available to build the weather station sooner. He also emphasized the proposed timeline for projects is flexible, based on available funding and other factors.
Before adopting the master plan, Commissioner Skip Novakovich thanked members of the nine-member advisory board, who represented several public agencies.
Arntzen also reported he was considering preparing a request for proposals for a new fixed-base operator. Commissioners gave him approval to pursue that and directed him to bring the idea back within a few weeks.
In other business, commissioners heard the port will be seeking requests for proposals for a firm to help assess whether the port should rebrand itself.
The assessment would take place between June and November and cost no more than $30,000, said Tana Bader Inglima, director of governmental relations and marketing.
The money already is in this year's budget.
On another topic, although some Tri-Citians may have worried the lights from the new lighthouse on Clover Island would be a nuisance, Arntzen said, "I think it has been described as underwhelming."
He said he has found the light could be upgraded for as little at $2,500 or for as much as $25,000 to have a replica built of the type of three-foot-tall lenses used in many historic lighthouses.
"I'm not even hinting the port would pay ($25,000) for it," Arntzen said.
But he asked commissioners if they wanted him to see if there is community interest in raising money for an upgrade.
He said he would start by contacting people who had written to the Tri-City Herald saying they would like the light to be brighter. He also said he would welcome others to join a committee to give the port input.
The commissioners told Arntzen to pursue the idea.
A couple of audience members also suggested the port check with the Coast Guard for guidelines about how bright a lighthouse light should be.
* Kathy Korengel: 509-582-1541; kkorengel@tricityherald.com
