Report from Vancouver

by Lori Hinton

Vancouver Revitalization Continues at Full Force

Reporting the fastest rate of expansion of any Northwest city with a population over 100,000, Vancouver grew 5.6 percent between 2000 and 2003 according to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau. To put this in perspective, between July 2002 and July 1, 2003, Vancouver grew this nearly 2,000 people. Where cities like Portland only grew by approximately 800 and Seattle lost about 170 residents.

Is this growth a problem, or just part of the plan? The hammerssstarting swinging in the late 90s and have only sped up in tempo since.

According to Gerald Baugh, manager of business development for the city of Vancouver, the city is right where it wants to be-revitalization is in progress with a focus on mixed-use projects.

Some notable examples making a name for the city are Vancouvercenter (the largest multi-use urban project in the Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area); The Vancouver Convention Center & Hotel (operated by Hilton); and Esther Short Commons (including housing and a permanent Farmers Marketplace).

"Vancouver Conference and Hotel is under construction, Vancouvercenter has 75 percent occupancy and we plan for the building to be full by its one year anniversary, and Esther Short Commons is to be completed by fall," says Baugh.

Going full steam ahead for a few years now, visions are being realized in the form of brick and mortar. New residents and businesses are moving in and giving the city new life. He gives credit to the community as a whole-from political and business leadership, to city staff and citizen support.

"Downtown has a look and a feel that people are really pleased with," said Baugh. "This sends out the message that we're serious about revitalization and making Vancouver something we can be proud of as citizens."

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According to Baugh, the difference between working as separate entities versus working as a community is the difference between "doing good stuff and doing really great stuff."

Some of the more influential revitalization projects to date are:

The Vancouver Convention Center & Hotel

Given its status as the Northwest's fastest growing city, Vancouver was desperately in need of a large venue appropriate for community events and activities. The Vancouver Convention Center & Hotel is designed to host meetings, conferences and conventions while attracting new retail customers to downtown.

"I think it's a project that puts a stamp on Vancouver and gives us a regional presence we haven't felt before," says Baugh. "It should really exceed expectations as far as what it can do for the area financially."

A $73 million project the seven-story Vancouver Convention Center & Hotel includes a 30,000-sq. ft. convention center with two spacious ballrooms and a four-star, 226-room hotel operated by Hilton with a restaurant and lounge.

Located in Downtown Vancouver at the southwest corner of Sixth and Columbia streets (just south of Esther Short Park), the building's design will feature a natural stone exterior, a lobby with a large, formal staircase, glass construction with views facing the park, and a pedestrian walkway.

The design-build contract was awarded to FaulknerUSA out of Austin, Texas by the Vancouver Downtown Redevelopment Authority board of directors in 2003 and the facility is scheduled to open in June 2005.

Esther Short Commons

Described by the CEO Vancouver Housing Authority, Kurt Creager as "the living room of Vancouver," Esther Short Commons is located at 710 Esther Street in downtown Vancouver. This project, which provides the first new affordable housing in the area, also includes retail space and a venue for the popular weekend Farmers Market.

A $17 million project awarded to R&H Construction, Esther Short Commons includes 160 living units (139 of which are income qualified and 21 market rate) and 20,000-sq.-ft. of retail, 8,000 of which is designated for the Farmer's Market, which will operate year round.

"The Farmers Market draws 15,000 to 20,000 people per weekend," Creager said. "It adds vitality and excitement to the area as well as a lot of urban texture."

According to Creager, the city became very interested in property and fully participated financially. "The city's involvement has been remarkable given the complexity of Vancouver and it has been a great aid to ensure that the project was of high quality and befitting of the area."

The rest of the house (the surrounding city of Vancouver) anxiously awaits their new "living room" coming this fall.

Lewis and Clark Plaza Senior Housing

A $5.12 million project awarded to Seabolt Construction, Lewis and Clark Plaza is a 46-unit, low-income, senior housing project featuring an interpretative center to commemorate the journey of Lewis and Clark. The building offers views of the Columbia River, the West Hills of Portland and Mt. Hood, and the interpretative center adds a proud element of local history with commemorative plaques and four bronze sculptures created by area artists.

Located at 621 Broadway, the site is handy for seniors. Within a one-mile radius are restaurants, medical services, a community senior center and Esther Short Park.

"There are a lot of higher end condos, but not much senior or low-income housing," says Chris Briggs, project manager for Prestige Development. "This project fits with our mission to serve unserved and underserved areas, and the city was very excited about the public art aspect of it." Ground was broken in December of 2003 and the project is scheduled for completion by the end of October.

Already showing signs of meeting Vancouver seniors' needs, Briggs remarks: "We've had a waiting list since September of last year!"

With multiple construction projects underway, and many to be completed within this year, Vancouver can consider itself well on its way to revitalization- if it's not there already.

Apartments in the North office tower are finished and new construction of the South Tower is scheduled to begin late this summer. The South Tower includes approximately 10,000 sq. ft of retail, 65,000 sq. ft of commercial office space and 34 condos. "This project will complete the total amount of building for the proposed revitalization," affirms Baugh.

Future Work:

The New Columbian Newspaper Building

The Columbian purchased land to build a new head office in downtown Vancouver next to the Vancouver Conference Center and Hotel. With aspirations of architectural significance, project planners intend to make this building a serious contribution to revitalization efforts.

Esther Short Extension & 20 Year Vision:

The original 30-block Esther Short redevelopment plan has been extended to 120 blocks. "Due to the success of the plan, we have hired our original consultants Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (and lead planner Paddy Tillett) to develop another 20 year vision," says Baugh.

The plan will be looking south to the waterfront, north to Fourth Plane (including commercial pieces), as far east as I-5, and west to the railroad tracks.