VDA Feature: Urban Land Institute
We are thrilled to announce that VDA's parklet initiative was featured in the Urban Land Institute's newest international publication, The Pandemic and the Public Realm. Vancouver was featured alongside 10 other cities including Paris, Melbourne, and Buenos Aires. This effort was a collaborative partnership between VDA, LSW Architects, Riff Creative, FrontdoorBack, and Vancouver, Washington City Government. Check out the publication here (download PDF for best viewing experience)
Storefront Activation: Office Moms and Dads
VDA is partnering with Office Moms & Dads to activate their new storefront on 8th & Main! Leveraging Seanette Corkill, owner of FrontdoorBack, and VDA Design Committee members, we are providing direct assistance to help them get their new space up and running. Stay tuned for updates! Office Moms & Dads partners with child welfare offices to provide a nurturing environment for children entering foster care. Learn more: www.officemomsanddads.com
Flower Basket Fundraiser
VDA's Flower Basket Program will return mid-may with 95 glorious baskets adding color and vibrancy from 5th through Uptown Village. These baskets will showcase our community pride and resiliency as the public is welcomed back into downtown. WE NEED YOUR HELP—our beloved program relies purely on donations from individuals & businesses to make this effort possible. We appreciate any support, large & small! DONATE ONLINE: www.vdausa.org/flower-baskets CASH & CHECKS: Vancouver's Downtown Association 811 Main Street Vancouver, WA 98660 Your donation is tax-deductible due to our 501 c(3) status. Your name will
Spruce the Couve: New Litter Receptacles
We are in the process of installing new litter receptacles throughout our downtown core! This effort is in response to feedback received by business owners and the public. Our new standard features graphics referencing Vancouver’s sense of place, Esther Short Park and Grant Street Pier, more iterations to come. Swipe right to see the old standard that we are replacing. This effort is a part of our new “clean & safe” initiative, Spruce the Couve, which focuses on lighting improvements, graffiti removal, power washing, and
Business & Worker Assistance
The City of Vancouver supports businesses and employees during this difficult period. The city is working with economic development partners in Clark County, the Greater Portland region, Washington state, and at the federal level to provide important information to assist businesses and workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To find the most up-to-date information regarding business and worker assistance, click here.
Van-Tastic Awards Video Ceremony
WELCOME to the 2020 Vancouver's Downtown Association Van-Tastic Awards Ceremony! 2020 was a year full of unprecedented challenges for our downtown community. During this time, our businesses worked relentlessly to pivot, adapt, and survive through the uncharted territory of a pandemic. Over the last 10 years, the Van-Tastic Award Ceremony has been a celebration of our small businesses and Vancouver’s community-centric values—thank you for attending and being a part of it! This year, the Van-Tastics was condensed into an engaging 8-minute video, available for viewing below. View
Spruce the Couve: Lighting Project
Check out our recent lighting improvements at 9th & Main and 11th & Main! We recently launched a clean and safe initiative, Spruce the Couve, which focuses on lighting improvements, graffiti removal, power washing, and new trashcans throughout our downtown core. Spruce the Couve will be a legacy program moving forward for the VDA—these efforts will continue throughout 2021 and onward! Based on feedback received by business owners and the public, we identified areas for lighting improvements to enhance the perception of safety at night in
Noël Vancouver
Noël Vancouver began with a vision to create a unique and magical Christmas experience in Downtown Vancouver. Due to the circumstances, however, Noël’s intended 2020 launch had to be postponed. Luckily, there is an active display at 9th & Main of what is to come! Noël 2021 will be full of Christmas market festivities including a wide array of vendor booths, traditional market treats and holiday-themed drinks, Christmas caroling, and so much more. Noël 2021 is sure to build holiday cheer and family traditions for
12th & Main Update: Final Mural Completed!
We are excited to announce our final mural installation at 12th & Main in downtown Vancouver, WA! This art piece is located on the south-facing elevator tower wall of the Main Place parking garage. Jane Degenhardt (pictured right) and her copartner, Michele (pictured left), are local Vancouver artists. The mural is a panel installation of an art piece painted by Jane named Bramble. Artist Description: "The title "Bramble" refers to a blackberry bramble I photographed at close range and in the fall, when colors are
New Bike Racks
Our bike racks have been installed at 12th & Main and 8th & Main! VDA partnered with students at Vancouver School of Arts and Academics on the design. The fish depict native species, and the mountain depicts Mt. Saint Helens pre-eruption. Due to a generous donation by First Pacific Financial, we will be installing an additional 10 throughout our downtown core. Keep your eye out for them! These bike racks are one component in a larger Main Street project which includes a large street mural at 12th