Located in eastern Washington state along the southwest banks of the Columbia River, the Port of Kennewick has a rich and storied legacy.

Originally created in 1915 to facilitate increased boat navigation due to the construction of the Celilo Canal, the port’s development blossomed over successive decades, playing pivotal roles in the region’s economic prosperity and population growth, as well as becoming a strategic location for World War II military exercises.

But in 1954, the Army Corps of Engineers built McNary Dam, causing slack water to pool behind the structure, and reducing nearby Clover Island to just 16 acres from its original 160. Economic activity faltered, barge-building ceased and as tall levees blocked access to the river, Kennewick’s historic waterfront became a distressed locale.

The larger Kennewick community never gave up hope for its waterfront though, and in 2005, the city designated the neighborhood as a Redevelopment Strategy Area. In 2018, it received federal designation as an Underserved Community Opportunity Zone.

In order to redefine the area as a tourist destination, the Port of Kennewick worked with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), USACE, Washington State, Benton County and the City of Kennewick on a sustained, collaborated revitalization effort.

Today, the Port of Kennewick has been transformed from an eroding, concrete-covered Clover Island shoreline into a vibrant neighborhood featuring public artwork, a working lighthouse, waterfront pathways for expanded public access, a wastewater treatment facility for wineries and expanded opportunities for commercial and retail businesses.

Key to the region’s success is the creation of the Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village.

Hanchette is referring to a 1,239 square foot indoor space, available for lease, located at 313 E. Columbia Gardens Way, #120, in Kennewick.

The domain is ideally suited for a tasting room, brewery or distillery and would join Monarcha/Palencia Winery, Bartholomew Winery, and Gordon Estate Winery, as well as food trucks and pop-up vendors operating throughout the beautiful Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village.

The spacious interior of the building opens to a wrap-around patio and standing bar to accommodate outdoor seating. It is adjacent to a paved pathway that connects to the Columbia River waterfront, the Clover Island Riverwalk and the 23-mile regional Sacagawea Heritage Trail.

Best of all, at just $13.50 per square annually, the rent for this top quality, indoor/outdoor space is ultimately affordable.

“The location of the space is synergistic with other small businesses that characterize the neighborhood feel we’ve worked hard to create in our community,” notes Hanchette. “There are a limited number of amazing waterfront opportunities available. This is one of them.”

For more information on the Port of Kennewick and this lease opportunity:

Port of Kennewick