Vista Field will stay open
Vista Field
After four years of debate, the Port of Kennewick Commission unanimously decides to keep Vista Field open.
The decision was made after a public meeting last night.
Commissioners said the airport is a valuable asset to local businesses and the community.
They also said it would take too much time and money to shut it down and redevelop the land.
The Port of Kennewick will now review the airport's master plan during the next 90 days.
It hopes to start making facility upgrades before the end of the year.
"You might see some ground clearing going on for example. If you're going to build some hangers, you'd see the ground activities going on in 2010. Probably see the hangers pop out of the ground in 2011" said Tim Arntzen, Port of Kennewick Executive Director.
Money for the improvements is expected to come from the Port of Kennewick, state aviation grants and private businesses that want to build on the land.