A proposal to build about 300 homes in Vista Field over multiple phases has received the initial green light from Port of Kennewick commissioners – perhaps the biggest milestone yet in the effort to transform the former airport into a vibrant regional town center.

The proposal by the newly formed BlueChart Homes isn’t a done deal yet.

Port commissioners on June 11 approved a letter of interest from the company. BlueChart and port staff are now working on a more formalized deal, which will come back to commissioners at a future meeting for their approval.

"I’m very supportive of this,” said Skip Novakovich, port commission president. “This is a wonderful project...this is going to be a wonderful time for the Port of Kennewick.” 

The port owns the 103-acre Vista Field in the heart of Kennewick, not far from the Columbia Center mall. It formerly was a municipal airport, but the port shut down aviation operations more than a decade ago to begin the transformation into a regional town center.

Vista Field is envisioned as a model of “new urbanism,” with a mix of homes, office space, entertainment options and more, in a walkable environment. A master planning process that involved the community put into writing that vision.

A recent spate of activity is now bringing that vision to life, from the BlueChart proposal to purchase and deals for a five-story mixed use building and an upscale Japanese restaurant. Commissioners on July 9 also agreed to begin the negotiation process with Columbia Point Eye Care for a new 7,000-square-foot building on Vista Field's Lot 31.

Under the BlueChart proposal, a “design library” will be created with a variety of new urbanism and traditional single-family residential designs for attached, detached, row houses and townhomes, according to information provided to commissioners.

“Initially, residential construction will begin with the four existing single family detached shovel-ready parcels in Vista Field Phase 1 and extend west,” the information said.

“The developer proposes to build the first neighborhood of approximately 28 homes within walking distance of existing port amenities, namely the linear water feature, fountains, bosque of trees, pedestrian bridges and southern gateway pavilion spaces,” it said.

As for the cost, BlueChart proposes paying $80,000 per finished lot in Phase 1 and $82,500 per finished lot in Phase 2, which would come to about $3.89 million total. After that, a formula would be used to determine the lot price.

BlueChart is a joint venture led by Levi Holmes of Chartwell Land Company in Silverdale and Benjamin Paulus of Blue Fern and Teak Construction in Redmond.

Holmes is “intricately familiar with the unique and special opportunities for building at Vista Field” as he’s been working with two of DPZ CoDesign’s associate companies for several years, according to a statement from the Port of Kennewick.

DPZ CoDesign led the community planning process for Vista Field.

“BlueChart Homes brings together experienced, well-funded homebuilders with a strong sales division for their properties. They have the funding and experience to build at scale while implementing the community’s vision for Vista Field,” said Tim Arntzen, port CEO, in the statement. “Their focus on residential will activate public spaces and create patrons to attract and support additional commercial and retail development at Vista Field.”

Holmes spoke during the June 11 meeting, saying he and Paulus aren’t just looking to build in Kennewick in general, but specifically at Vista Field.

“It’s because we understand it. We know that there are a lot of details to figure out, but at the end of the day what we’re really building is community and we’re creating a lifestyle for the residents who are going to be here, the businesses that are going to interact with them,” he told commissioners. “And that’s what we’re here for.”