Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Vancouver USA Development Moves Forward

By Karen Robes Meeks

Port of Vancouver USA’s master plan for the Terminal 1 Waterfront Development will go before the Vancouver City Council on June 19, a significant step toward redeveloping the historic site.

This follows Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice’s recent recommendation that the council approve the master plan. “Our project team worked very hard to develop a thorough and complete master plan,” said port CEO Julianna Marler. “The result has been a smooth process, and we appreciate the positive affirmation from the City of Vancouver. We look forward to going before City Council in June as we move our vision for Terminal 1 toward reality.”

For the last two years, port officials and consultants NBBJ and BergerABAM have been seeking input from stakeholders and the community to develop the plan and guide it through the city’s approval and permitting processes.

At a May 4 public hearing, representatives for the port testified before the hearing examiner, who is tasked with reviewing the master plan to determine its compliance with municipal code as well as city and state shoreline regulations.

Rice verified the project’s compliance and on May 23 recommended that the council endorse the master plan. The port is in the midst of redeveloping Terminal 1, a 10-acre property on the Columbia River built in the 1920s with the city. The site, known as the birthplace of the port, was the location of the first warehouse. Plans to reimagine Terminal 1 could include a public marketplace, new hotel, retail and commercial space, visitor amenities and a link to the Renaissance Trail.

If the council endorses the plan, developer Vesta Hospitality could start building a new AC Hotel by Marriott in 2018.