An affordable housing project in east Kennewick is among a handful state ecology officials are lifting up as an example of the good that comes from redeveloping formerly contaminated land. 

The city of Kennewick received more than $60,000 from the state Department of Ecology’s Brownfields Program to evaluate redevelopment opportunities for the city’s former maintenance yard. Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties that may have environmental contamination.

Now the Hammer Lofts, being built by Kennewick Housing Authority in partnership with nonprofit Community Frameworks, are set to be completed in 2027. 

“We’ve always known that providing support and funding to communities to clean up and redevelop brownfields makes economic and environmental sense,” the state said in a release. “Through our return-on-investment project, we now have hard data to show just how much it’s benefiting communities across our state.” 

Construction of Hammer Lofts, previously known as the Bubble on Gum project, began in 2025 on 13th Avenue between Gum Street and Date Place. It will have 58 units of one- and two-story buildings intended for households making between 30% and 50% of the area’s median income, or roughly more than $25,000 to just under $43,000 a year, as well as those with disabilities and veterans. 

The Hammer Lofts initially faced opposition from some residents, who voiced concerns about how increased housing density could worsen traffic and parking challenges along with worries a housing project serving those with low incomes would drive up crime. 

The housing agency did modify the housing development after a public comment period to give it a more residential feel so that it would fit in better with the neighborhood’s existing homes.