The Kennewick Port Authority manages the Port of Kennewick. Charged with supporting sound economic growth, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life for citizens of the port district, the Port of Kennewick is authorized to acquire and develop real estate, provide multi-modal transportation, promote tourism and public recreation, and work with private and public interests to boost economic development potential in the Port of Kennewick area.
In 2011, the Port of Kennewick was awarded the first Concrete Community Award by the Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association, honoring the Clover Island Lighthouse. The Lighthouse was recognized by the Building Industry Association of Washington as the Community Improvement Project of the Year in 2010. The Port of Kennewick's Spaulding Business Park Development earned the Port of Kennewick the 2009 Governor's Award for Workforce and Economic Development Best Practices, and the port received the Governor's 2009 Smart Communities Award.
The Port of Kennewick continues to seek ways to improve its waterfront revitalize commercial neighborhoods to create new opportunities for waterfront access, shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreation. Focusing on the Port of Kennewick's Clover Island, the Port of Kennewick is repairing the shoreline and adding paths, fishing platforms, gathering places, benches, and artwork that will make Clover Island a community gathering place and recreation center.
The Port of Kennewick's Spaulding Business Park was created to attract new businesses, including medical and professional offices, and investment to targeted areas. The Port of Kennewick's Board of Commissioners has decided to keep the Vista Field general aviation airport and is developing plans to convert the property to beneficial economic uses.
The Port of Kennewick also leases property to foster industry. Swapping land with a private developer in West Richland, the Port of Kennewick promoted the development of Pacific Rim Estates, a biodynamic production facility for Randall Grahm's wines. The Port of Kennewick also bought 92 acres in Benton County with plans to convert an old raceway into a commercial hub for wine-related business.
To promote recreation and tourism, the Port of Kennewick renovated the Clover Island Marina where it leases moorage and provides amenities for boaters. The marina was awarded the Top Construction Project of the year in the heavy-industrial category from the Associated General Contractors of Washington in 2008. The Port of Kennewick also constructed a new retail and office building on Clover Island and leased space at the Marina for Ice Harbor Brewing.
The Port of Kennewick's Clover Island Marina offers easy access to the Columbia River and to the Snake and Yakima Rivers where fishers and families find ample opportunities for relaxation and water sports. The Marina can accommodate more than 150 vessels to 18.3 meters (60 feet). There is also a guest dock for short and overnight stays. The Marina offers a walking path to the waterfront and quick access to the Sacagawea Heritage Trail. The Clover Island Inn offers overnight lodgings.
Amenities in the Port of Kennewick's Clover Island Marina include open and covered moorage, 24-hour access to diesel and gasoline, electric power, potable water, a boat haul-out trailer, and off-site boat and trailer storage. The Clover Island Marina in the Port of Kennewick also offers off-site boat and trailer storage as well as seasonal public restrooms and a seasonal marine dump station. It is located adjacent to the waterfront Clover Island Inn hotel and the Ice Harbor, Cedars, and Crow's Nest restaurants.
Harvest State Cooperatives owns and operates the Port of Kennewick Dock to ship grain with berthing distance of 152.4 meters (500 feet) and alongside depth of 4.3 meters (14 feet). At the rear of the Port of Kennewick Dock is a grain elevator with capacity for 5.2 million bushels and outside storage for 250 thousand bushels. One surface rail track with capacity for 14 cars serves two loading spouts and two undertrack pits and connects the dock with the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
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