The city and its partners in the Main Street Promise Project will celebrate the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6, from 3 to 4 p.m. in front of Kiggins Theatre

VANCOUVER – Vancouver’s downtown Main Street from 5th Street to 15th Street will start transforming into a corridor that provides a safe, accessible and connected transportation system supporting its businesses and providing for a vibrant destination. The city and its partners in the Main Street Promise Project will celebrate the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6, from 3 to 4 p.m. in front of Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98660. 

“A thoroughfare named ‘Main Street’ runs through most every city nationwide, and our city is no exception,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “With downtown moving into a new era, the project will create a safer, more welcoming and timeless place that respects its storied surroundings and historic legacy. It’s also paving the way towards a vibrant future for the many small businesses that are our local economy’s heart and soul.” 

A community-led effort nearly 30 years in the making, this $21 million project is bringing a long-awaited, complete makeover to lower main street in downtown Vancouver that supports Main Street businesses and creates a welcoming destination. The roadway, sidewalks and adjacent outdoor spaces will be reconfigured to improve safety, foster a sense of community and ensure economic prosperity. This project builds on planning work that began in 1993 to improve and invigorate a vital part of Vancouver. 

Expected speakers include:

• Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Mayor
• Ryan Lopossa, Vancouver Transportation Engineering Manager
• Shannon Buell, Nutter Corporation, General Manager 
• Jason Irving, MacKay Sposito Engineers, Project Manager
• Crystal Humble Lary, Eryngium Papeterie Owner
• Jon and Kelsey Jennings, Ronald Records Co-owners
• Patrick Quinton, Vancouver Economic, Prosperity and Housing Director
• Michael Walker, Vancouver’s Downtown Association Executive Director

A construction contract was awarded to Nutter Corporation in October. This project will include approximately 9,500 hours of apprentice time, just over 15% of the total applicable labor hours. By providing for apprenticeships on public works projects, the City is creating opportunities for training and experience to help ensure that a trained workforce will be available in sufficient numbers to construct future public works projects.

The Main Street streetscape design was developed and refined through community input heard through project advisory group meetings, open house events and numerous touchpoints with property owners, businesses, commissions and community members who walk, bike, roll, drive and use public transit to visit Main Street. 

View a virtual flyover animation of the Main Street Promise project.