Muddy Boots Tour Held At Site Of Future Bridge Shelter (Photo) - 12/10/25

Media Advisory: City Hosts Future Bridge Shelter Construction Site Tour (Photo) - 12/08/25

What

The City of Vancouver will host a “Muddy Boots Tour” of the Bridge Shelter site, offering a first look at construction plans and how the campus will serve people experiencing homelessness. Policymakers, donors and partners will tour the site with the project team.

In 2023, the City of Vancouver declared a homelessness emergency. A key component of the City’s emergency response action plan includes the opening of a bridge shelter with 120 beds. The shelter will provide medication-assisted treatment and other support services to help people transition to stable housing.

Construction is underway and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2026, weather and construction conditions permitting. 

Who

Invitation-only guests include:

• Liz Cattin, PeaceHealth – contributed funding to help build a commercial-grade kitchen at the shelter campus.
• Michael Lynch, Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Community Foundation of Southwest Washington – contributed funding to support new, limited-term positions on the Homeless Assistance and Resources Team (HART) to provide outreach and help guide people into the shelter once it opens.
• Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and City Councilors Bart Hansen, Diana Perez and Ty Stober.
• Clark County Councilors Glen Yung and Wil Fuentes.

When

10 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10 

Where

5313 N.E. 94^th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662

Limited on-street parking is available in the neighborhood surrounding the construction site. Please wear closed toe shoes and dress for rain.

Visit Bridge Shelter to learn more about the future shelter, and visit Homelessness Emergency to learn more about the City’s emergency response efforts related to homelessness.

B-roll and photos will be available for media following the event.

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City Honors First Recipient Of New Dave Miletich Volunteer Coach Of The Year Award (Photo) - 12/03/25

Vancouver, Wash. – Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services has established the Dave Miletich Volunteer Coach of the Year Award and recognizes Coach Karon Lewis as the first recipient for the 2024–2025 youth sports season.

Karon Lewis was selected as the inaugural winner. As a youth basketball coach, he is recognized for his ability to inspire young athletes, teach with patience and enthusiasm, and create an environment where kids grow their skills, have fun and leave every game smiling.

The new annual award celebrates volunteer coaches who demonstrate the compassion, encouragement and community spirit that defined the late Dave Miletich, a longtime City employee and cherished mentor who died in November 2023.

Miletich served the City for more than 17 years as recreation manager and assistant parks and recreation director. He was instrumental in the construction of Firstenburg Community Center in 2006 and the renovation of Marshall Community Center in 2007. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Miletich was a dedicated volunteer coach for his three sons and a champion for community-based recreation.

The Volunteer Coach of the Year Award was created to honor Miletich’s enduring influence and recognize the outstanding contributions of volunteer youth coaches who exemplify his spirit of service in Vancouver.

“Volunteer coaches are the heart of our youth sports programs,” said David Perlick, director of Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. “It’s exciting to honor them through an award that also celebrates Dave Miletich’s legacy. Dave was an incredible colleague and leader who believed in the power of teamwork, fun, and helping others grow, the same values that make a great coach.”

“Our family is honored that the Volunteer Coach of the Year Award is named after Dad,” said Dave’s son Brady Miletich. “His commitment to making youth sports fun and inclusive impacted many families directly as a coach and indirectly by the example he set. We appreciate that his legacy is being recognized and instilled in coaches today and in the future.”

The Dave Miletich Volunteer Coach of the Year Award will be presented annually to one outstanding volunteer coach. In addition to receiving a personal certificate, the winners will be displayed on a plaque at Firstenburg Community Center, 700 N.E. 136^th, Vancouver.

For more information, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/coach-award.  

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New Flag To Be Raised At City Hall On Nov. 28 - Program To Also Include The Return Of The Salmon Run Bell Tower Glockenspiel - 11/20/25

Vancouver, Wash. – On Nov. 28, at 3:00 p.m., the City will host a short program to raise the new City flag at City Hall. The celebration continues with the official prize presentation at 3:45 p.m. as part of the annual Rotary tree lighting event. As part of the festivities, Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle will celebrate the return of the Salmon Run Bell Tower’s glockenspiel bells. The glockenspiel consists of 25 cast bronze bells, each weighing between 20 and 400 pounds respectively.
 

Run of Show*

Raising the new City flag at City Hall, 415 W. 6^th St.
 

3:00 p.m. -  Mayor, flag designers, and others to gather at the flag poles in front of City Hall

3:05 p.m. – Retire the old City flag 

3:07 p.m. – Flag designers Brooke Nugent and Nathan Hunter raise the new flag
 

Transition to the park across the street
 

Main Stage Recognitions, Esther Short Park Plaza, 605 Esther St.
 

3:45-3:48 p.m. – Mayor takes stage/welcomes community with Visit Vancouver

3:50 p.m. – Present flag designers with prizes, including the Key to the City

3:55 p.m. – Mayor makes remarks about the refurbished tower and glockenspiel 

4:00 p.m. – Bell tower glockenspiel rings on the hour  

4:02 p.m. – Tree Lighting program begins (Rotary Community Tree Lighting)

6:00 p.m. – Santa helps light the tree

*Time subject to minor changes inherent with large events

Visit Vancouver's Flag to learn more about the new flag, and visit Salmon Run Bell Tower Restoration to learn more about the restoration of the bell tower.
 

Vancouver City Council To Host Community Forum On Nov. 24 - 11/18/25