Happy 2009 from all of us at Vancouver’s Downtown Association to all of you. We’ve got a lot of great things in store for 2009, and we’re excited to get YOU involved!

 

Shop Local Success Story
Updates from the Vancouver Police Department
2009 Board of Directors Elected

Support the Flower Basket Program

 

TURTLE PLACE GRAND OPENING VIDEO

Friday, May 1, was the grand opening for Turtle Place, otherwise known as “The Running of the Turtles.” We couldn’t have asked for better weather– crisp blue sky, warm sun, and just a little bit of a breeze. It was the perfect day to launch the newest public park in Vancouver!
Click here to watch the video produced by River Bend Productions

 

Shop Local Success Story

 

We all know the times are tough these days, and our retailers were some of the hardest-hit by the 1-2 punch of the economic downturn and the snow, ice and rain that curtailed the holiday shopping season.

There are some bright spots in the dreary picture, though. The "Shop Local" movement has helped many retailers across the country stay in the game even when large, corporate behemoths are slashing prices to out-compete them.

 

Here at home, Kazoodles Toys (www.kazoodlestoys.com) has invested a lot of time and energy into developing the "Shop Local" mindset in their customers and visitors. And it's paid off! Mary Sisson proudly reported that even in this tough retail year, Kazoodles brought in a 3% increase in profit over 2007 sales. If you'd like to learn more about encouraging your network to support local business, just give them a call or drop by! Congratulations to Mary, Bob, April, and everyone at the shop -- and keep up the great work!

 

Updates from the Vancouver Police Department

Phone Booth Removal

Lt. Mike Whitney reports that all public phone booths with City-held contracts will be removed from the Downtown area. With the rise of cell phones, these boxes are nearly obsolete and present a much greater hazard of crime and grime than benefit to the community. VDA is thrilled to see them go!

 

AIA Compliance

Lt. Whitney also reports that the 4th quarter 2008 compliance check of the Alcohol Impact Area (AIA) showed all participants to be in compliance. Great work, everyone!

 

Light Rail Safety

As plans for the Columbia River Crossing inch forward, safety remains a top priority. A safety group has been convened, comprised of transit security, police and public officials from both sides of the river. Lt. Whitney has remarked that, early on, he was quite skeptical about passenger and neighborhood security for a light rail line coming into Vancouver. However, he now believes that this group, made up of the best security minds in both cities, will do its utmost to assure that any rail crossing will have the safest design possible for our area and residents.

 

Downtown Retail Strategy Team Wants Your Ideas!

 

In this rough economic climate, many businesses are 'battening down the hatches' and hoping to just hang on until things get better. The leadership of Vancouver's Downtown Association has decided to take another tack, and is developing a team to help re-invigorate Downtown NOW, when we need it most. Things right now may be incredibly hard -- but that means we need to do something now more than ever.

 

The Downtown Retail Strategy Team realizes it can't be all things to all people, and has selected a very defined area to work on -- keeping it manageable in order to increase chances of success. The area is one of the most depressed sectors Downtown, from 5th Street to 8th Street and from the Hilton to I-5.

 

With all of our support, the DRST will work to:
-Define, uplift, promote, inspire & re-energize our Downtown.
-Attract and retain the businesses that will round out and meet the needs of our Downtown residents and visitors.

 

The group meets every 2 weeks and is actively engaging with stakeholders and supporters to determine what is necessary.

The City of Vancouver has been an incredibly important partner, supporting these efforts and making strides of their own to make rules and regulations more manageable for our business owners.

 

The DRST is actively looking for interested members and new ideas to help meet their goals. Even if you don't have the time to get involved, help them out by giving some thought to the Downtown YOU'd like to see.

 

Your Assignment:
-Think Recruitment: Which businesses do you know of in other areas that you'd like to see move or expand into Downtown Vancouver?
-Think Creatively: Have an idea that might be a little off the wall? Run it by them! They really do want to hear from everyone, and will listen to all ideas.

 

2009 Board of Directors Elected

 

At January 8th’s membership meeting, the 2009 Board of Directors was elected unanimously by those present.

Lee Coulthard
Charlene Dahlen
Stephanie Diaz
Carl Dobbs
KC Fuller
Linda Glover
Linda McClain
Lee Rafferty
Celinda Rupert
Christie Rust
Kristy Weaver

 

 

Support the Flower Basket Program

Be a part of one of our most popular programs! Help us dress up the streets in Downtown and Uptown Vancouver with lush, colorful flower baskets. Last year, we placed nearly 250 baskets along Main Street from 5th Street to 4th Plain Blvd., along 6th Street, and along the transit mall at 7th Street.

 

The baskets are tended each year by area teens, who earn community service hours by watering the plants seven days a week, 3-4 hours/day, through a partnership with the Clark County Juvenile Court Restorative Community Services Program.

 

Please join the  other organizations, businesses and individuals that support the Volunteer Flower Basket Program by donating in any amount to this worthwhile effort that benefits our entire community. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your donations may be tax-deductible. The flower basket program is supported solely by donations, and is not a City of Vancouver-sponsored activity.

 

Copyright 2008 Vancouver's Downtown Association