In Our View: Hope for Downtown

Even before the economic downturn, downtown Vancouver was struggling — valiantly, mind you, but still struggling. For members of Vancouver’s Downtown Association, the Great Recession could not have come at a worse time. Merchants are still struggling in the historic heart of Clark County, but as the first green shoots of national economic recovery appear, there is modest evidence that the struggle is paying off.

Credit for this goes to the merchants themselves, at least the ones who are still in the game, the ones who refused to surrender to the recession and rolled up their sleeves for meaningful action.

Here’s a great example of that aggressive approach: The state’s Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program helps economically depressed downtown areas that are willing to help themselves. Businesses that donate to the program receive a 75 percent refund of contributions, which can be applied to state Business & Occupation tax obligations. Thanks to donations to this state fund from 11 businesses, the VDA recently received approximately $130,000 from the state Department of Revenue. That brings the local total since to 2005 to $750,000, which VDA officials say is among the state leaders, if not at the top.

Clearly, downtown merchants are positioning themselves for a fast pace if and when the recovery kicks in. For some, that recovery will come too late. Even while other downtown businesses make recovery plans, several others have closed or are nearing closure. As Cami Joner reported in Wednesday’s Columbian, Kazoodles will close its West Eighth Street toy store in mid-February.

Elsewhere, though, there are several signs of hope. Most of this progress is driven by public-sector endeavors such as the new city hall building at Esther and Sixth streets (formerly the new Columbian building), into which about 300 city workers will move later this year. And there’s the spectacular, $38 million, five-story public library that is set to open in 2011 at the southeast corner of Evergreen Boulevard and C Street.

Of course, the more meaningful revitalization strategy involves the private sector, and there are a few hopeful signs there, too. The Kiggins Theater at 1011 Main St. is being remodeled to the tune of $200,000. A new $1.5 million rock-climbing gym is scheduled to open later this fall at West 12th and Main streets; it is expected to draw 30,000 rock-climbing enthusiasts annually from points far beyond downtown Vancouver. Developer Elie Kassab is planning a 101-unit apartment building at the site of the old Vancouver police station, 300 E. 13th St.

Kassab wisely works on the most basic component of downtown revitalization: permanent residents. It’s one thing to draw customers to downtown businesses and patrons to concerts, festivals and the Vancouver Farmers Market. But for lasting economic success, more full-time downtown residents are essential. In recent years, the bulk of residential development has been on three sides of Esther Short Park. But Kassab’s plans on 13th Street would expand that focus, and this is especially encouraging to merchants in the “real” and original downtown (two blocks east of Esther Short Park, along and near Main Street).

Long-term, of course, the southwest anchor of this revitalization will be the waterfront development project a few blocks from Esther Short Park. Preliminary city work is gaining momentum in that area; the Sixth Street railroad underpass was closed last week as projects begin to enhance access to the waterfront area.

The most accurate description for the current state of downtown revitalization is “hanging in there.” We’d like for that description to be more positive, but after the worst economic crisis in seven decades, hanging in there is not so bad.