VANCOUVER FIRE MARSHAL ISSUES RECREATIONAL BURN BAN (PHOTO CORRECTION) (Photo) -06/10/25

Vancouver, Wash. – Due to arid conditions, Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli is issuing a total ban on recreational burning effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 13, for the City of Vancouver. The recreational burning ban is based on weather conditions, fuel moisture content in vegetation and community fire safety needs. It will remain in effect throughout the summer/fall months or until weather and fire danger conditions greatly improve. Citations may be issued to those who violate the order. An update will be provided when the recreational burn ban is lifted. These types of fires are prohibited during the ban:

• Recreational fires and bonfires
• Campfires
• Fires in outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and chimney-type devices
• This ban excludes: Approved fire pit appliances such as natural gas/propane-powered equipment with approved fire safety clearances to combustibles.

Cooking outdoors in propane or charcoal barbecues approved for that type of use is still allowed during the burning ban. Cooking and heating fires in unmanaged situations such as encampments of unsheltered community members, are illegal under City ordinance and will be extinguished.

“The risk for fire is high and state officials have said that this year’s wildfire season has the potential to be challenging as the fine fuels continue to cure,” said Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli. “It is vital that everyone be extra vigilant about fire safety during this time. In addition to not using any recreational fires, we also ask that smokers never put out their cigarettes in bark mulch or planters or toss lit cigarettes out of car windows.”

While the recreational burn ban is in place, all fires will be illegal within the city limits. Community members are encouraged to call 911 and report any fire-related activity so it can be promptly extinguished by the fire department. Those who violate the recreational burn ban may be subject to a fire code citation and a $500 fine, which may include criminal penalties.

Learn more about fire and life safety prevention at  https://www.cityofvancouver.us/departments/fire-department/

National Search Yields A New Deputy City Manager For Vancouver (Photo) -06/06/25

Vancouver Arts & Music Festival Wins Best In State (Photo) -06/03/25

Vancouver, Wash. – The Vancouver Arts & Music Festival has received the Spotlight Award for Best Special Event from the Washington Recreation and Parks Association, recognizing the festival’s outstanding contributions to arts access, community building and economic impact.

Launched in 2023 as a collaboration between Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, the festival has quickly become a signature summer event in Southwest Washington. The event brings together tens of thousands of attendees each year for a weekend of free music, dance, visual arts, family activities and cultural programming.

Held in downtown Vancouver’s Esther Short Park, the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival features a dynamic mix of live performances, art exhibits, pop-up galleries and hands-on workshops. Visitors can enjoy programming from local, regional and internationally recognized artists across multiple outdoor stages, while exploring art and food vendors, interactive demonstrations and educational opportunities designed for all ages and abilities.

“This award is an incredible honor and a testament to the power of partnerships,” said Vancouver Cultural Services Manager Stacey Donovan. “The Vancouver Arts & Music Festival reflects our city’s vibrant arts scene and strong sense of community. We are especially grateful to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, our founding partner, and to the Vancouver Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission for their unwavering support.”

Created to remove barriers to arts access, the festival provides a platform for diverse cultural expression while boosting the local economy. Organizers have prioritized sustainability and inclusion from the beginning, offering free admission, multilingual programming, accessibility accommodations and environmentally conscious event management practices.

The 2025 Vancouver Arts & Music Festival returns to Esther Short Park July 31 to August 3 with a new lineup of world-class performers, interactive arts programming and community celebration. Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information, visit www.vancouverartsandmusicfestival.com.

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City To Host Free Music, Movies And More This Summer In Vancouver (Photo) -05/29/25

Vancouver, Wash. – Discover the vibrant art, culture and natural beauty of Vancouver without breaking the bank. This summer, Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services is offering a full lineup of free, family-friendly events designed to bring the community together and make the most of the sunny season.

Whether you're dancing at a waterfront concert, enjoying a movie under the stars or exploring a local festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Free concerts

Dance your summer evenings away at one of Vancouver’s two free concert series. Performances are family friendly and a great way to connect with the community and experience the talent of the Pacific Northwest. Please remember, alcohol is not permitted in parks.

Vancouver Waterfront Concert Series
Location: Vancouver Waterfront Park, 695 Waterfront Way
Dates: Thursdays, July 3 to 24 | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Set along the Columbia River, this series features a dynamic lineup including Bobby Torres Ensemble, Wamba, Orquestra Pacifico Tropical and Norman Sylvester. Presented by Waterfront Vancouver Parking Center.

Columbia Tech Center Sunday Sounds
Location: Columbia Tech Center Park, 17701 S.E. Mill Plain Boulevard
Dates: Sundays, July 13 to Aug. 17 | 6 to 8 p.m.

Bring a picnic or enjoy food from local vendors while listening to popular acts like Curtis Salgado, Johnny Limbo & the Lugnuts and Hit Machine. Sponsored by Riverview Bank.

Free Friday Night Movies

In August, the big screen comes to life with the Free Friday Night Movies under the stars, sponsored by The Columbian.

Location: Various parks throughout Vancouver
Dates: Fridays, Aug. 1 to 22 | Pre-movie activities begin at 6:30 p.m., movies start at dusk

Enjoy big-screen favorites such as “Moana 2,” “Barbie,” “Coco” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial". Arrive before the movie starts for fun activities and special performances. All movies are captioned. “Barbie” will be presented with on-screen American Sign Language (ASL).

Festivals and celebrations

Celebrate the season through a wide variety of festivals and community events:

Vancouver Arts & Music Festival
Location: Esther Short Park
Dates: July 31 to Aug. 3

This four-day event includes three outdoor stages, GRAMMY-winning musicians, art demonstrations, community workshops and dozens of local food and craft vendors. New this year, Friday is Family Day with special activities designed just for kids and caregivers.

Additional summer celebrations:

• Lemonade Day Junior Market – June 7, Esther Short Park
• Juneteenth Freedom Celebration – June 14, Esther Short Park
• Pollinator Festival – June 21, Marshall Community Park
• Columbia Play Project Family Play Day – June 21, Vancouver Waterfront Park
• Saturday in the Park Pride – July 12, Esther Short Park

Esther Short Park and other venues will also host additional summer events organized by local businesses and community partners. While not all events are free, they offer great opportunities to connect and celebrate Vancouver’s vibrant culture.

Plan your summer

With no cost to attend City-sponsored concerts and movies, Vancouver is the perfect destination for affordable summer fun. Consider supporting local vendors by purchasing food, gifts and other treats at events.

Visit www.cityofvancouver.us/events or connect with Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services on Facebook and Instagram to make the most of your summer in Vancouver.

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City Launching Streamlined EPermit System To Improve Customer Experience And Accessibility (Photo) -05/28/25

Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is making it easier and more convenient for customers  to access essential permitting services. Beginning Thursday, June 4, customers using the City’s ePermit system will be redirected to a new, streamlined Online Permit Center designed to improve the overall user experience.

The new, all-in-one Online Permit Center will make it easier for customers to apply for select permits, pay fees and schedule inspections. With a secure login feature, customers can create their own profile with a username and password for easy access. They can also save their payment method for future transactions, streamlining the process.

"These improvements are part of the City’s continued commitment to enhancing its services and making government more accessible,” said Chad Eiken, Vancouver’s Community Development Director.  “With better tools and easier access, customers will spend less time navigating the system and more time on the work that matters.”

Another improvement is the expanded payment options. Customers will be able to pay fees using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover or eCheck.

Customers will also find it easier to apply for electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits through the new system. The new system is also mobile device friendly.

The transition from the current ePermit system will require users to set up a new profile prior to using the new system. The profile will now contain contractor license(s) as well as a wallet that saves preferred payment types. This setup only needs to be done the first time users login.

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City Council Adopts New Economic Development Strategy (Photo) -05/22/25

Vancouver, Wash. – On Monday, April 21, Vancouver City Council adopted the City’s first-ever, Five-Year Economic Development Strategy. In alignment with the City’s core values of sustainability and resiliency, and livability, the inclusive strategy is designed to help support economic growth and address growing disparities within the community, and is organized around four primary goals:

• Establish pathways to accessible quality jobs.
• Create opportunities for intergenerational wealth.
• Position Vancouver as an inclusive center of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Invest in neighborhood commercial districts.

“It’s important to establish clear priorities for our economic development efforts so we can maintain a competitive local economy in the face of current market challenges,” said Vancouver’s Economic Prosperity and Housing Director Patrick Quinton. “This strategy will guide our efforts over the next five years as we work towards creating a more prosperous, innovative and inclusive city.”

A consistent theme across the Strategy’s four goals is wealth creation, whether through access to higher-paying jobs, more successful small businesses or new innovative industries and ventures.

The strategy will also be aligned with the region's economic development roadmap led by the Columbia River Economic Development Council  and Workforce Southwest Washington's 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. This ensures that Vancouver's actions are complementary to existing initiatives and leverage available tools and resources for maximum impact.

Development of the strategy involved both data analysis and broad community engagement. Regular updates on progress will be provided to both the community and elected officials.

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City To Host The 192nd Avenue Improvement Project Open House (Photo) -05/21/25

Vancouver, Wash. — The City of Vancouver invites community members to the first open house to learn about proposed improvements to 192nd Avenue between Northeast 18th Street and Southeast 1st Street, one of east Vancouver’s busiest and most important corridors. The event will be held at Union High School, 6201 N.W. Friberg-Strunk St., from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18.

The City is in the early design phase for the 192nd Avenue Improvement Project, which will modernize this one-mile corridor to meet current standards and prepare for the expected future growth in the area. Construction is planned to begin as early as 2028 once funding is secured.

The corridor is home to businesses, neighborhoods and recreational destinations. Today, an average of 14,000 vehicles travel this road daily—a number expected to grow to 22,000 by 2045. With major destinations like the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, Harmony Sports Complex, Costco and four schools, 192nd Avenue plays a vital role in east Vancouver. However, with missing sidewalks, limited bike and pedestrian access, and increasing traffic, the current roadway design no longer meets the needs of the community.

“192nd Avenue is a vital connection for thousands of people each day—whether they’re heading to school, work, shopping or recreation,” said Ivar Christensen, project manager for the City of Vancouver. “We’re excited to work with the community to create a safer, more comfortable corridor for everyone.”

Attendees at the open house will:

• Learn about the City’s goals for improving safety, mobility and access along 192nd Avenue
• See early design ideas and suggested intersection improvements to improve pedestrian travel and reduce traffic congestion
• Understand how the project fits into the City’s 20-year Transportation System Plan
• Share feedback that will help shape the final design

The City is committed to involving the public at every stage of the project. Feedback collected at the open house will inform design decisions, helping ensure the final improvements reflect local needs and priorities. The project team will continue working with the community on the project's design through 2026.

This event is free and open to all. To learn more and sign up for updates, visit: beheardvancouver.org/192nd.

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City Council Approves $11.15 Million To Help Create Or Preserve 330 Affordable Rental Homes (Photo) -05/14/25

Vancouver, Wash. – On Monday, May 12, Vancouver City Council passed a resolution to award $11.15 million from its Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to help create or preserve 330 affordable rental homes with a focus on seniors, people with disabilities and individuals exiting homelessness.

“This funding is an essential tool in our continuing effort to address the affordable housing crisis in our community,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “The important projects supported by this investment will help ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors have access to safe, stable and affordable homes, fostering a more inclusive and resilient community.”

After review by the Housing Advisory Committee, five projects were recommended totaling $11.15 million in AHF awards:

• Community Roots Collaborative – C-Roots Mill Plain Tiny Homes: $1.05 million supporting 20 new units (permanent supportive housing for households exiting homelessness)
• Palindrome – Artifact at Vancouver Heights District (site C): $4.1 million to support 109 new units (new mixed-income development with units for people with disabilities)
• Mid-Columbia Manor – Smith Tower preservation: $2 million to support preservation of 170 existing units (rehabilitation of iconic senior apartment building to improve life/safety features)
• Vancouver Housing Authority – Vancouver Heights District site P (senior housing): $1 million forward commitment to support 51 new units (new senior housing with on-site services and community amenities)
• Vancouver Housing Authority – Vancouver Heights District site P (family housing): $3 million forward commitment to support 80 new units (new family housing with supportive services and outdoor space)

These projects will create or preserve rental homes serving households earning 30% - 60% of the area median income. They were prioritized by community need, project readiness and project feasibility.

The application process for the AHF remains open on a rolling basis, with quarterly review periods throughout the year.

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