Changes are coming to the 205-acre district located in the heart of Vancouver
VANCOUVER — Changes are coming to the 205-acre Heights District located in the heart of Vancouver, and city officials will seek public input on the future vision for the area at a community open house Sat., June 23.
The community open house will occur in the McLoughlin Middle School cafeteria, 5802 MacArthur Blvd. There will be no formal presentations at the open house. People can stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to learn more about the planning process and share ideas for new business, transportation improvements, parking and housing in the district. Refreshments and children’s activities will be provided.
The city will also provide a way for citizens who can’t attend the open house to provide input through the project’s website at www.cityofvancouver.us/TheHeights. Citizens can also sign up to receive email updates about the project on the website.
The Heights District is located on East Mill Plain Boulevard between MacArthur Boulevard and Andresen Road. It is home to some of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods, best views and busiest transportation corridors. It is rich in parks, schools, open space and recreation opportunities, as well as commercial businesses, nonprofits and organizations that serve the needs of Vancouver’s diverse communities.
Last year, the city purchased the 12-acre Town Plaza property (formerly known as Tower Mall), located at Mill Plain Boulevard and Devine Road, with the hope of using it to help revitalize the area, which has been bypassed by much of the new commercial and residential development occurring on the west and east sides of Vancouver.
The Heights District Plan will establish a vision for the future development of this area. The plan’s goals include increasing mixed-income housing options, adding accessible public open space, increasing connections that allow people to walk and bike to and through the area, and integrating public transit. The city’s ultimate goal is to create an attractive place where people want to be, by encouraging future private development through public investments and innovative design concepts.
Additional public involvement opportunities will be occur this fall in in spring 2019. The city hopes to finalize The Heights District Plan in summer 2019.
Accommodations are available upon request, including on-site interpretation services. Send accommodation requests to Andrea Pastor at the city of Vancouver by calling (360) 487-7947 or emailing Andrea.Pastor@cityofvancouver.us.
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
