City to host open house for Waterfront Gateway Plaza design

January 25, 2024

The City of Vancouver invites community members to join staff from the City and local real estate firm, Lincoln (formerly LPC West), to provide feedback on design plans for the new Waterfront Gateway public plaza from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1 in the Aspen Room at Vancouver City Hall, 415 W. Sixth Street.

The Waterfront Gateway Project was authorized by Vancouver City Council on Oct. 9, 2023, through a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) between the City of Vancouver and real estate firm Lincoln. Construction of the vibrant, new 6.4-acre development is projected to start in early 2025 and be completed midway through 2027.

One feature of the project is a large public plaza south of City Hall, along Esther Street between Sixth Street and Phil Arnold Way. At the open house, participants will view early design sketches for the plaza and learn about future programming opportunities for the site. Plaza designers will be available to answer questions and discuss community suggestions.

Meeting materials will be available in English, Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend and no RSVP is necessary. For those who cannot attend, the meeting materials will be available at www.beheardvancouver.org/waterfrontgateway.

On-street parking is available throughout downtown Vancouver with meters enforced through 6 p.m. on weekdays. Visitors with state-issued disabled parking permits may park for free in all on-street hourly parking stalls. City Hall is also accessible by C-TRAN routes 32 and 71, as well as the Vine Red and Green lines.

Waterfront Gateway is strategically located between two important centers of redevelopment activity—the Columbia River waterfront and the historic downtown core. The project aligns with the City’s Strategic Plan by providing much-needed housing to the area, including affordable housing; creating retail opportunities for local small businesses; and designing new public spaces for city events and gatherings.

Additional project information is available at www.beheardvancouver.org/waterfrontgateway.


Media Contact: Tim Becker, Strategic Communications Manager, tim.becker@cityofvancouver.us