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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

Busy Pavement Season Ahead On Vancouver Streets (Photo) -05/05/25

Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is preparing to pave and preserve streets across 20 neighborhoods this summer. Vancouver has more than 1,900 lane miles of paved streets. Each year, surface conditions are evaluated to select streets for the City’s Pavement Management Program, find cost-effective methods to extend pavement life and provide better traveling conditions. The program will invest approximately $13.4 million in planning, design and construction to improve pavement conditions throughout the community. The City’s Street Fund, General Fund and license fees collected through the City’s Transportation Benefits District, provide the main source of funding for this annual program.

This year’s program will pave or preserve several major corridors including portions of Main Street as part of the Main Street Promise project, Northeast Andresen Road, Southeast Evergreen Highway and sections on both West and Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard. About 16 lane miles of street surfaces will be paved and over 60 lane miles will be preserved.

Resurfacing rehabilitation focuses on residential streets with poor pavement conditions. Rehabilitation paving is planned for streets within the Rose Village, Vancouver Heights and Oakbrook neighborhoods.

Pavement preservation work to extend the life of streets ­­alternates between the east and west sides of the city each year. These preservation treatments help keep good streets in good condition at a much lower cost than resurfacing. For 2025, west Vancouver will see work along East McLoughlin Boulevard, East 29th Street, East 33rd Street, Northeast Andresen Road, Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 104th Avenue. Crews will also return to the Airport Green neighborhood to complete preservation treatment postponed from last year. Various neighborhood streets within the Hudson’s Bay, Edgewood Park, Harney Heights (East 13th Street), West Minnehaha (Northeast 41st Circle), Meadow Homes (Carlson Road), Green Meadows, Ogden, Burton Ridge and Marrion neighborhoods will receive preservation treatment.

Curb ramps at approximately 125 locations along the project routes will be upgraded to current standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to improve mobility for all. Federal requirements mandate that curb ramps be upgraded along streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration, such as paving, microsurfacing or cape sealing. Fifty curb ramps in the Rose Village neighborhood will be upgraded to enhance pedestrian access, along with improvements to curb entrances at 26 alleys.

Several steps can be expected before pavement work begins on the street. In preparation for the coming work, street tree and vegetation pruning along identified streets has begun and will continue through June to help clear the way for construction equipment. Construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps, pavement repairs and sealing of street cracks also takes place before paving and preservation work. 

Throughout the process, residents and businesses along the project corridors will receive notices with details about work hours, parking restrictions, closures and more. Community members are encouraged to watch for signage and flaggers during construction, alerting travelers to slow down and be prepared for brief delays. Community members are encouraged to watch for signage and flaggers during construction, alerting travelers to slow down and be prepared for brief delays.

More information about the 2025 Pavement Management Program is available online at cityofvancouver.us/pavement. Questions can be emailed to the program team at pwpavementmanagement@cityofvancouver.us. Tentative schedules will be posted in advance of street work. Pavement work is highly weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

###

Vancouver Celebrates Small Business Month In May (Photo) -05/01/25

Vancouver, Wash. – On Monday, May 5, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle will proclaim the month of May “Small Business Month” in Vancouver. The designation coincides with National Small Business Month.

“Small businesses make up over 95 percent of Vancouver’s business community. They are the heart and soul of our local economy,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “Small Business Month is a chance to recognize and support the entrepreneurs who fuel our city with their talent, dedication and drive, and who add to what makes our city unique and full of charm.”

On Thursday, May 15 the City, in partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Fourth Plain Community Commons, will host Connect and Navigate, a free small business fair to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with local funding and assistance to start and grow as a business in Vancouver. This event will feature 15 vendors and will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite 101.

Throughout the month of May, the City will share ways for the community to support Vancouver’s small businesses, preview plans to bolster the City’s support of a diverse and thriving small business community through its 5-Year Economic Development Strategy and more.

“As part of our Economic Development Strategy, we’re creating new pathways for small business success by investing in neighborhood business districts, leveraging public assets for affordable commercial space, expanding access to capital and connecting historically underserved entrepreneurs to City contracts and targeted support,” said Chris Harder, deputy economic development director for the city.

The City is committed to supporting the growth of its small business community by removing barriers to success and bolstering a thriving local economy through programs such as:

• Free small business advising: The City has partnered with the Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Center to support business owners through free and confidential, one-hour business advising sessions with a certified business advisor once a month from May – December
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): The CDBG program has allowed the City to award funding to support 971 small businesses through culturally specific workshops, one-on-one specialized business consulting and more since 2019. The City will provide an estimated $300,000 for additional business assistance this year
• Procurement: An interactive website invites businesses to submit bids, quotes and proposals to fulfill the City’s needs for goods, services, construction/public improvement projects, and professional/technical assistance
• Restaurant Start-Up Guide: A simple eight-step guide detailing what permits, licensing, plans and inspections are needed before opening a restaurant within City limits
• Pre-lease program: The City offers free advisory meetings to support business owners who want to buy or lease commercial space and for food truck vendors seeking to open in Vancouver City limits  
• Economic development: The City prioritizes the success and retention of small, local businesses as part of all major development and redevelopment projects, including Waterfront Gateway, the Heights District, Main Street Promise and the Fourth Plain for All investment strategy

Follow the hashtag #CouveSmallBiz and visit the City on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to watch, learn and stay informed. Explore more services, business education and grants, low-cost loans and other business funding options through the City’s Business Resources page.

###