“Southern Gateway Transformation” Event Planned

Artist rendering of the renovation of two former hangar buildings to create vibrant gathering spaces at Vista Field.

“Southern Gateway Transformation” Event Planned

“Southern Gateway Transformation” Event Planned
Building Vibrant Gathering Spaces at Vista Field

KENNEWICK, Wash. Port of Kennewick and Benton County invite the community to a celebration on Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m. to mark the start of renovating Vista Field’s southern gateway. The “Southern Gateway Transformation” event will be held at 6600 West Deschutes Avenue in Kennewick.

The project will turn two former hangar buildings into open-air pavilions connected by a sheltered courtyard with a stage and add other amenities to the public space. The port is using a Benton County Rural County Capital Fund grant to create these lively community-use facilities.

Who:                               Media and community invited

What:                             Vista Field “Southern Gateway Transformation” event

When:                            Monday, April 29, 2024 from 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Where:                           6600 West Deschutes Avenue, Kennewick

Port commissioners awarded a $2.137 million contract, plus applicable taxes, to Goodman & Mehlenbacher Enterprises (GAME Inc.) to remove metal siding from the hangars and construct pergolas, storage areas, sound walls and restrooms. The project also includes installing lighting, industrial fans, landscaping, a new crosswalk, wayfinding signage, a “paper airplane” metal sculpture and an artistic reuse of distinctive metal carrier-decking artifacts to share the story of Vista Field’s WWII Naval history.

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Port of Kennewick is an economic development entity focused on developing assets to create sustainable family-wage jobs, build infrastructure and user-friendly transportation systems and enhance the quality of life within the port district.