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: Graffiti Removal
Check out our recent graffiti removal efforts on Main St! VDA recently launched a “clean & safe,” initiative, Spruce the Couve, which focuses on lighting improvements, graffiti removal, power washing, community cleanups, and new trash cans throughout the downtown core. This initiative will improve the quality of life of our residents, increase visitor traffic to our small businesses, and create an attractive employment center. Thank you, Casey Evans Media, for capturing this effort!
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
Outdoor Seating App & Curbside Pickup Locations
Outdoor Seating App— Looking for a place to patron safely during phased restrictions? VDA partnered with The City of Vancouver to create a live map of businesses with outdoor seating amenities! You are able to narrow down your search by business and seating type to meet your needs. Photos of each location are available as well. Click Here: Desktop App Click Here: Mobile App New Curbside Pickup Locations— The City of Vancouver has installed special curbside pickup signs on many blocks in Downtown Vancouver and Uptown Village. The colorful signs
Launchpad Update
Our Launchpad winner, Marianne Wilson Stein, is moving quickly to open her new space at 109 W 7th Street in downtown Vancouver. As most of you know, Launchpad was a regional shark-tank-style competition providing a $40,000 community-sponsored grant to a new business locating into our downtown community. Marianne will be opening Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary, which will feature her specialty tea blends and skincare products. Her business will also host a makers space. Marianne has had great success at the Farmer's Market and looks forward to
12th & Main Update: New Murals!
We are excited to announce the completion of our new murals at 12th & Main! These murals have words of encouragement and reflection to touch on this moment in history. In addition, the trees on the pillars are in loving memory of Lee Coulthard, a VDA volunteer who led the effort to plant street trees in downtown. Additional mural components will continue to be added until the end of the year. These murals are a component in a larger Main Street project which includes a
Spruce the Couve
Vancouver’s Downtown Association is working hard to keep downtown vibrant. We are launching Spruce the Couve, a Clean and Safe Program. Graffiti removal, power washing, new trash cans, and improved lighting are all examples of tasks that will be completed under this initiative. This program is launching in November 2020 and will continue through 2021. Keep your eye on our social media pages & www.vdausa.org for updates! #dtvanwa