‘Regional town center.’ Vista Field ready for thousands of new homes, businesses to take off
The runway was long, but after years of work, Vista Field is officially off the ground.
Hundreds came out to celebrate the grand opening of the Port of Kennewick’s long-awaited Vista Field development, and get a peek of the prime real estate now on the market.
Where once there was an underused airport, there is now a large development ready for builders to begin work. The port invited more than 500 community members out to celebrate the milestone.
The event kicked off with a word from Port CEO Tim Arntzen about his hopes for the development’s future as a regional town center, and the long road to reach it.
Arntzen said he was asked what was special about the day, and his answer was, “you are the owners. That’s what is really special. I’m looking out at a bunch of people who are owners of this project.”
Arntzen said that over the past few months he’s come out to the development to walk and clear his head.
It’s given him time to appreciate the vision for the site as what they envision as a “regional town center” serving as a downtown-style destination for the entire Tri-Cities area.
Arntzen then introduced English rocker John Waite, who played his hit songs “Change” and “Missing You,” as well as “When I see you Smile” from his days with glam rock supergroup Bad English.
Port Commission President Skip Novakavich said he was deeply appreciative of attendees coming out to support the launch of Vista Field.
“It tells me you have a high regard for what the Port of Kennewick does, and this redevelopment of vista field from a underutilized airfield to a regional town center,” Novakavich said.
The sunny, but breezy weather was perfect for an early afternoon walk around the property. Attendees enjoyed rides from the J&S Dreamland Express Train, food trucks, photo booths and entertainment during the event.
Lots for sale around the center of the development were marked, and bidding is now open.
Over the next few years the development will bring in thousands of homes and apartments, as well as a variety of exciting new businesses.
Phase 1 of development has 20 parcels listed for sale at up to 15,000 square feet. The first parcels are near the center of the development by the water features. They’re zoned as urban mixed use for mixed use, live-work and residential.
Arntzen said their goal was to curate high quality, locally owned businesses, and create a community that residents can live in and enjoy, and folks from around the area want to come to and spend time.
“What we want to do is to honor the history of Vista Field, but we want to move forward and covert this into a central place for people in our community,” Arntzen said. “(A place) where you’ll be comfortable walking and biking ... with enough reasons for you to be in this community. Not only can you live here, but you can walk to the coffee shop or the mom and pop shop.”
He said they plan to honor the history of the field by showcasing some of the central elements of what made the airport special, from its days as a training ground for aircraft carrier pilots to later commercial use.
They’ll be keeping two hangars, as well as some of the metal stopping barriers that helped pilots mimic the aircraft carrier landing.
“It’s going to be a place that is welcoming to all people, everybody, and a place where you and I want to be,” Arntzen said.
Developers interested in involvement with Vista Field can find the parcels for sale at VistaField.com
This story was originally published June 17, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
