Street Improvement Projects
Main Street
Project Update, March 2009
Vancouver’s C Street changed from one-way to two-way traffic, from Sixth Street to McLoughline Boulevard, on Saturday, Jan. 17, following a daylong closure for restriping lanes and parking spaces. Signage was placed throughout the project alerting drivers and pedestrians to changes in the traffic pattern. Drivers and pedestrians were asked to proceed cautiously and be especially mindful of other vehicles and pedestrians during this transition to two-way traffic.
Main Street has been operating with two-way traffic patterns since mid-November. The final step of activating the remaining necessary signal equipment was completed in early 2009.
The two-way conversion phase of the Main Street project, between Sixth and 15th streets, is similar to what occurred on Broadway on 2007 and can be likened to Phase I of the overall project. Overall, Main Street will realize a net gain in parking spaces. Combining work for Main and C streets reduces project costs and allows better control of construction activity in the downtown area.
Future revitalization efforts along the Main Street corridor, including additional streetscape work, will be phased in as funds become available.
Project Description
This first construction step on the Main Street project, between Sixth and 15th streets, has three major components: 1) the scaling back of most corner bump-outs and creation of the brick sidewalk ramps 2) the installation of new signal poles and controllers and 3) the installation of new parking meters and restriping of traffic lane and parking lines. In addition, two large trees at the northwest corner of 11th and Main streets had to be removed due to elevation levels and curb construction, which would have impacted a majority of the trees’ root systems. New trees will be planted to replace the ones removed. This work, similar to the conversion that occurred on Broadway on 2007, can be likened to Phase I of the overall Main Street project.
Learn more about the project by watching the Sept. 14, 2008, edition of CVTV's City Minutes.
In its full scope, the Main Street retail revitalization is much more than a transportation project. Along with rebuilding the city’s historic thoroughfare, the project is being designed in the context of a retail strategy that ties to all directions of the downtown core. To learn more about this retail strategy, please contact Alisa Pyszka, Business Development Manager, Economic Development, City of Vancouver, by e-mail or by phone at 360-619-4161.
On Main Street itself, the project will include: changing Main Street from one-way to two-way traffic; total reconstruction of the street and pedestrian areas; public areas and street furniture; landscaping and vegetation; new street lighting; utility improvements; and improvements to intersecting streets east and west of Main Street for a short distance. The project team has been assisted in its planning efforts by the 10-member community Steering Committee. Two open houses and special meetings with local business and property owners were held last summer. Newsletters and a project storefront display at the project consultants office (Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.) at 1104 Main Street have continued to share details on the project.
Streetscape Layout and Elements
The Project Steering Committee and Project Team have considered various design elements for Main Street. Project Concept Design for the street layout, landscape, and street furniture can be viewed via the link under the "drawings" section below.
Concept Sketches
Intersection Concept: Raised intersections would be at same level with sidewalk.
Streetlight Concept: Lamp posts would support lighting and banners.
Project Background
Construction Contract
On Sept. 15, a construction contract for the Main Street and C Street two-way projects was awarded to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Integrity Excavating & Construction, Inc. of Battle Ground, Washington in the amount of $437,434.75.
Community Outreach
The Main Street Improvement Project has been defined by an extensive community outreach campaign. Nearly 80 downtown area residents and business people attended the two project open houses in June and August 2006. Thirty-five downtown area business and property owners attended four special meetings in summer 2006 to learn more about the project, ask questions about construction, and provide feedback on the Main Street Improvement Project. This extensive public outreach effort also included multiple one-on-one visits by project staff to businesses along Main Street and adjoining streets.
The four project newsletter have been sent to a mailing list of nearly 900 residents, business owners, property owners, and interested parties. The project team received over 60 project response sheets, providing feedback on design issues, concerns, and considerations.
A survey was also circulated specifically to Main Street area business and property owners. It asked questions about their businesses and properties and will help the project team coordinate construction to minimize the impact on customers, employees, and deliveries. Sixty-one completed surveys were returned to the project team. Once funding is secure, community outreach will continue as the Main Street improvements are finalized and implemented.
The project team has been assisted in its planning efforts by the 10-member community Steering Committee. Two open houses and special meetings with local business and property owners were held last summer. Newsletters and a project storefront display at the project consultants office (Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.) at 1104 Main Street have continued to share details on the project.
Project Benefits
In the long-term, the improvements on Main Street will link with existing assets and corridors to maximize opportunities for economic vitality from Esther Short Park to Officer’s Row, and from the riverfront to points north.
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