Plans are for the Commons to be located on the ground floor of a new Vancouver Housing Authority mixed-use development
VANCOUVER — The city of Vancouver is scheduled to receive $800,000 for construction of its Fourth Plain Community Commons project in the state’s new two-year capital budget.
Plans are for the Commons to be located on the ground floor of a new Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) mixed-use development. The city and VHA are working to acquire a parcel on East Fourth Plain Boulevard.
The Fourth Plain Community Commons is envisioned as a flexible public space that will serve as an economic development hub for the Fourth Plain corridor. It will feature:
- A commercial kitchen incubator to help support and launch emerging food-based businesses
- A centralized workspace where representatives from business assistance organizations, community lenders and Workforce Southwest Washington can provide services to the community
- Shared public event, classroom and office space to enhance access to community resources
- Outdoor space for a Vancouver Farmers Market satellite market
“We are very excited to be able to move this important project forward,” said City Community and Economic Development Department Director Chad Eiken. “Construction of the Fourth Plain Community Commons will go a long way in helping us reach our economic development goals for the Fourth Plain corridor and create a growth pipeline for local small businesses and start-ups.”
In partnership with the VHA, Fourth Plain Forward and several other community organizations, the city will lead a planning process for the Commons that will include broad community outreach with multiple opportunities for businesses and residents to provide input. People interested in learning more or getting involved can contact Economic Development Planner Andrea Pastor at (360) 487-7947 or Andrea.Pastor@cityofvancouver.us.
“We are especially grateful for the support this project received from the Governor Inslee, Senator Annette Cleveland, Representative Sharon Wylie and the entire Southwest Washington legislative delegation, in addition to the Vancouver Housing Authority, Fourth Plain Forward and many other community partners,” Eiken added.
The Commons project is part of the city’s Fourth Plain Forward program, a multi-year initiative to improve the portion of East Fourth Plain Boulevard known as Vancouver’s International Business District. Fourth Plain Forward seeks to strengthen and grow small businesses, create a vibrant district through art and community events, improve pedestrian safety on the corridor, and increase the supply of affordable and attainable housing.
For more information about Fourth Plain Forward, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/FourthPlainForward.
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
