Busy Pavement Season Ahead On Vancouver Streets (Photo) -05/05/25

Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is preparing to pave and preserve streets across 20 neighborhoods this summer. Vancouver has more than 1,900 lane miles of paved streets. Each year, surface conditions are evaluated to select streets for the City’s Pavement Management Program, find cost-effective methods to extend pavement life and provide better traveling conditions. The program will invest approximately $13.4 million in planning, design and construction to improve pavement conditions throughout the community. The City’s Street Fund, General Fund and license fees collected through the City’s Transportation Benefits District, provide the main source of funding for this annual program.

 

This year’s program will pave or preserve several major corridors including portions of Main Street as part of the Main Street Promise project, Northeast Andresen Road, Southeast Evergreen Highway and sections on both West and Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard. About 16 lane miles of street surfaces will be paved and over 60 lane miles will be preserved.

 

Resurfacing rehabilitation focuses on residential streets with poor pavement conditions. Rehabilitation paving is planned for streets within the Rose Village, Vancouver Heights and Oakbrook neighborhoods.

 

Pavement preservation work to extend the life of streets ­­alternates between the east and west sides of the city each year. These preservation treatments help keep good streets in good condition at a much lower cost than resurfacing. For 2025, west Vancouver will see work along East McLoughlin Boulevard, East 29th Street, East 33rd Street, Northeast Andresen Road, Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 104th Avenue. Crews will also return to the Airport Green neighborhood to complete preservation treatment postponed from last year. Various neighborhood streets within the Hudson’s Bay, Edgewood Park, Harney Heights (East 13th Street), West Minnehaha (Northeast 41st Circle), Meadow Homes (Carlson Road), Green Meadows, Ogden, Burton Ridge and Marrion neighborhoods will receive preservation treatment.

 

Curb ramps at approximately 125 locations along the project routes will be upgraded to current standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to improve mobility for all. Federal requirements mandate that curb ramps be upgraded along streets receiving treatments that are considered an alteration, such as paving, microsurfacing or cape sealing. Fifty curb ramps in the Rose Village neighborhood will be upgraded to enhance pedestrian access, along with improvements to curb entrances at 26 alleys.

 

Several steps can be expected before pavement work begins on the street. In preparation for the coming work, street tree and vegetation pruning along identified streets has begun and will continue through June to help clear the way for construction equipment. Construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps, pavement repairs and sealing of street cracks also takes place before paving and preservation work. 

 

Throughout the process, residents and businesses along the project corridors will receive notices with details about work hours, parking restrictions, closures and more. Community members are encouraged to watch for signage and flaggers during construction, alerting travelers to slow down and be prepared for brief delays. Community members are encouraged to watch for signage and flaggers during construction, alerting travelers to slow down and be prepared for brief delays.

 

More information about the 2025 Pavement Management Program is available online at cityofvancouver.us/pavement. Questions can be emailed to the program team at pwpavementmanagement@cityofvancouver.us. Tentative schedules will be posted in advance of street work. Pavement work is highly weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

 

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Vancouver Celebrates Small Business Month In May (Photo) -05/01/25

Vancouver, Wash. – On Monday, May 5, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle will proclaim the month of May “Small Business Month” in Vancouver. The designation coincides with National Small Business Month.

 

“Small businesses make up over 95 percent of Vancouver’s business community. They are the heart and soul of our local economy,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “Small Business Month is a chance to recognize and support the entrepreneurs who fuel our city with their talent, dedication and drive, and who add to what makes our city unique and full of charm.”

 

On Thursday, May 15 the City, in partnership with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Fourth Plain Community Commons, will host Connect and Navigate, a free small business fair to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with local funding and assistance to start and grow as a business in Vancouver. This event will feature 15 vendors and will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite 101.

 

Throughout the month of May, the City will share ways for the community to support Vancouver’s small businesses, preview plans to bolster the City’s support of a diverse and thriving small business community through its 5-Year Economic Development Strategy and more.

 

“As part of our Economic Development Strategy, we’re creating new pathways for small business success by investing in neighborhood business districts, leveraging public assets for affordable commercial space, expanding access to capital and connecting historically underserved entrepreneurs to City contracts and targeted support,” said Chris Harder, deputy economic development director for the city.

               

The City is committed to supporting the growth of its small business community by removing barriers to success and bolstering a thriving local economy through programs such as:

• Free small business advising: The City has partnered with the Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Center to support business owners through free and confidential, one-hour business advising sessions with a certified business advisor once a month from May – December
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): The CDBG program has allowed the City to award funding to support 971 small businesses through culturally specific workshops, one-on-one specialized business consulting and more since 2019. The City will provide an estimated $300,000 for additional business assistance this year
• Procurement: An interactive website invites businesses to submit bids, quotes and proposals to fulfill the City’s needs for goods, services, construction/public improvement projects, and professional/technical assistance
• Restaurant Start-Up Guide: A simple eight-step guide detailing what permits, licensing, plans and inspections are needed before opening a restaurant within City limits
• Pre-lease program: The City offers free advisory meetings to support business owners who want to buy or lease commercial space and for food truck vendors seeking to open in Vancouver City limits  
• Economic development: The City prioritizes the success and retention of small, local businesses as part of all major development and redevelopment projects, including Waterfront Gateway, the Heights District, Main Street Promise and the Fourth Plain for All investment strategy

Follow the hashtag #CouveSmallBiz and visit the City on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to watch, learn and stay informed. Explore more services, business education and grants, low-cost loans and other business funding options through the City’s Business Resources page.

 

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Vancouver Selected For National Million Coaches Challenge (Photo) -04/23/25

Vancouver, Wash. – Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services has been selected as one of just 52 recreation agencies nationwide to participate in the prestigious Million Coaches Challenge, an initiative that aims to equip one million coaches with essential youth development training in 2025.

 

As a participant in the initiative, recreation staff and youth sports volunteers will receive high-quality, no-cost coach training through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and a coalition of top national training organizations. The goal is to better support staff and volunteers who lead youth sports programs, ensuring they have the tools to create inclusive, safe and developmentally supportive environments where every young athlete can thrive.

 

“Sports have the power to build confidence, connection and life skills,” said Stacey Allington, City recreation coordinator. “This opportunity is about more than just coaching. With this training, we’re creating a stronger foundation so all kids can benefit from everything youth sports have to offer.”

 

By participating in the Million Coaches Challenge, Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services will be empowered to continue cultivating a youth sports culture where all children can succeed, on and off the field.

 

The Million Coaches Challenge is powered by the Susan Crown Exchange (SCE), with additional funding from ESPN’s Take Back Sports youth sports initiative. NRPA joined the effort in 2024 to help expand its reach across park and recreation agencies.

 

For more information about local youth sports programs or volunteer coaching opportunities, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/activities.

 

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