The first of many projects within the Terminal 1 development is completed

VANCOUVER – The Port of Vancouver USA held a ribbon cutting Thursday to unveil the new Vancouver Landing, the first finished public project in the port’s Terminal 1 development. 

The event took place on the new landing, with speeches by Washington state Senator Annette Cleveland, port CEO, Julianna Marler and port commission president, Jack Burkman. Tanna Engdahl, an elder and spiritual leader from the Cowlitz Tribe, offered a blessing and also spoke briefly. After the event, guests gathered for refreshments in the lobby of the adjacent AC Hotel by Marriott, scheduled to open later this month. 

This is the first finished project in the Terminal 1 development and was partially funded with capital project funds allocated to the port by the Washington legislature in 2019. The $4.7 million allowed the port to break ground in fall 2019, with full completion of the project by the end of this month. 

Features of the Vancouver Landing project include dramatic riverfront vistas, a boardwalk timeline of historic events, new sections of the Renaissance Trail, Rotary Club of Vancouver elements, interpretive panels and an embedded map of the Columbia River. 

The Renaissance Trail work was constructed with a grant in the amount of $485,000 from the Regional Transportation Commission under the Transportation Alternatives Program and encourages use by pedestrians and cyclists. The boardwalk, also known as Rotary Way, was constructed with a $500,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Vancouver in celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2021. 

Along the riverside fencing is a series of interpretive panels that display the history of Vancouver and Clark County and the indigenous people who inhabited the area, along with other features of local significance. Port project managers worked closely with local indigenous tribes to accurately reflect the history of the site. 

“This ribbon cutting is the first exciting event at Terminal 1 with many more to come,” said Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver. “We want to inspire the community to come down to the waterfront and see the progress we’ve made. The entire Terminal 1 development will provide both economic benefits for the community as well as provide a dynamic public destination for all to enjoy.” 

Later this month, the AC Hotel by Marriott will open for business and the first building by the port’s development partner, Lincoln Property Company, will break ground. While the Landing is primarily completed, there are still some final features that need to be installed, keeping the area closed off until the end of the month so that crews can finish the work. Work at Terminal 1 continues this year, with the deconstruction of the old Red Lion Hotel and Quay Restaurant, and removal of the 100-plus year old dock under those structures. 

In fall 2023, the port will begin work on the new dock, which will include in-water work and the removal of approximately 800 weathered, wooden piles. A new dock will eventually be built to support a new public market. 

To learn more about the Terminal 1 Waterfront development project, visit www.discoverterminal1.com.

As the gateway into both Vancouver and Washington State, Terminal 1 will provide a seamless connection along the Vancouver waterfront and offer a unique experience for the community and visitors alike. The port’s goal with the project is to enhance economic development in our region, increase public access to the waterfront and complement other developments by the City of Vancouver and Columbia Waterfront LLC. For information, visit www.discoverterminal1.com.

The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, and its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, visit us at www.portvanusa.com.