VDA in the News

Our Work to Revitalize Downtown

From her Main Street office, Lee Rafferty, executive director of Vancouver's Downtown Association, looks out on a scene that's been years in the making.

Shoppers stroll from antique shop to antique shop, pausing to look at displays of local art at galleries along the way. Up the street, crews are transforming an empty block into a rock-climbing gym. After work, Rafferty might see a different crowd heading into the city's downtown core for a drink or a movie. >>read more

The city of Vancouver, Wash., has grand plans to add 1 million square feet of commercial space along its waterfront and essentially create an area similar to the Pearl District over the next 15 years.

But Vancouver's Downtown Association doesn't want to see the city's downtown lost in the shuffle. After spending six months with a consultant, the association now has a plan – and projects – to revitalize the historic district. >>read more

VDA Showing Support for Projects with Promise

VDA takes the position that adding choices for recreation is a good thing for our downtown, its businesses, its hotels and its residents. We believe that choices are good…that they attract employers with interesting employees who want to raise their families in a community that cares about a well-rounded plate of interests.

Late last week, the Vancouver Downtown Association released a statement supporting the proposal to bring baseball to the city. >>read more

Downtown Vancouver's revitalization is gaining momentum. You're probably asking, "What? How could that happen? We don't even know yet if and when the national economic recovery will kick in." >>read more