Vista Airport Stays; Improvements Will be Made

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By Molly Kelleher

Summary

Vista Field Airport is staying put and there's already calls to make improvements. Action News is following up to find out how quickly you'll see those changes.

Story Published: Mar 9, 2010 at 6:59 PM PST

Vista Airport Stays; Improvements Will be Made
KENNEWICK - Vista Field Airport is staying put and there's already calls to make improvements. Action News is following up to find out how quickly you'll see those changes.

No buzz of activity at Vista Field Airport. The main building is practically empty, its former operator left more than a year ago, so did the visitors' center. But this quiet airport just made some noise.

A loud cheer Monday night from a crowd of nearly 200 people. After four years of debating whether to keep it open or shut it down, Port of Kennewick leaders put it to a vote and decided to keep it open and made a commitment to improve it.

Action News asked port Executive Director Tim Arntzen, how quickly will we see something happen?

"I'd like to see a short list of projects that we might see in 2010 and get the master plan updated," said Arntzen.

The master plan will be the road map for improvements: where to build and when. Arntzen says that should take about three months. Then they can start moving dirt.

"You're going to see some of the ground work in 2010 probably some site preparation for hangars. That might be one example of what you would see. 2011 might be the time you really see buildings coming out of the ground there," said Arntzen.

It's going to take port money and state grants, but they're really counting on private money. There are businesses waiting to invest but they've been waiting for this final decision.

"Need to get a lease on the land so we can start building hangars. Three parties want to build hangars. Then get an operator out here that sells fuel and gives lessons," said Dr. Carl Cadwell.

Empty hangars and an empty building are draining $23,000 from the port every year. They expect improvements to turn a profit by 2011. It's all going to depend on demand.

"I know two other businesses that want to move out here and now two wineries that want a location at Vista,” Cadwell said. “They want to fly customers in here."

It's about getting the buzz going on an airport that right now, is sitting pretty quiet.