Vancouver City Council on Monday held a workshop to discuss the waterfront property, owned by the Port of Vancouver, where Mayor Tim Leavitt called it a “great project.”
The half-hour meeting had Greg Turner, land use manager for the city, lead councilors through the possible phases of construction of the 10.37-acre property. The project will have four developable blocks near the former Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay.
The blocks would be built up in six phases, according to the presentation. In all, it plans to build 355 residential units, 62,000 square feet of retail space and 200,000 square feet of commercial space.
First, the port expects to rehabilitate Terminal 1, the buildings closest to the Columbia River. The former Red Lion closed October 2015 and was partially demolished in March.
The second phase would build parking and connect the Waterfront Renaissance Trail to the city-owned waterfront park, to the east. The park is owned by the city of Vancouver but it is technically part of the separate, 21-block development led by Tualatin, Ore.-based firm Gramor.
The third phase could build a 160-room hotel, The AC by Marriott, by Vancouver developer Vesta Hospitality. A mixed-use building would be constructed and designed as a mix of office space and retail.
Phase four would kick-off construction of a mixed residential and retail building. It includes plans for parking, as well. The next phase would develop the final block into yet another mixed-use building, with ground-level retail, office space and so-called “live-work” units. More sections of the former Red Lion would be demolished at this time, according to the plans.
The sixth and final phase, Turner said, would further develop the Terminal 1 building into a public market, while rehabilitating the pier and making a space for public events.
Ultimately, Turner said, the planned phases could change depending on the timing of the developers. If hotel developers found they were ready to build before the Renaissance Trail work is underway, they could, he said.
Each building will undergo the building permit application through the city of Vancouver.
Councilors were mostly agreeable with the presentation. Councilor Bill Turlay asked whether there would be enough parking and public restrooms.
“It is a major concern any time you have a larger number of people in one area,” he said.
Turner said there will be public restrooms planned at both segments of waterfront development. Restrooms may also open to public use at the proposed public market at Terminal 1.
Terminal 1 awaits an official recommendation on its master plan from a land use hearings examiner, which is expected to arrive by Thursday. The examiner must issue a recommendation before Vancouver City Council can vote on whether to approve the project.
Vancouver City Council is expected to give first-reading of the project June 12 and hold a public hearing June 19.
