Let’s think big. Really big. Dare we say, yuuuuge! Let’s set aside reality for a moment, freeing ourselves from the bonds of what is possible to ponder the impossible.
Because Vancouver — and the rest of Clark County — is growing. OK, OK, you knew that. A recent Columbian story carried the headline, “More growth on the horizon for Clark County.” New residents and new businesses are arriving about as fast as we can handle them, drawn by a strong economy, proximity to Portland, and the impression that this is simply a good place to live. And who can argue with that?
Vancouver could be called the largest suburb of Portland, but we would consider that an insult. Instead, it is a dynamic city of its own, one that is developing a unique identity and culture. We think it is more interesting than, say, Gresham or Hillsboro — although we might be biased. After all, Vancouver was picked by something called MoveHub as the most hipster city in America, which might be cause for celebration or a call to your real estate agent, depending upon your perspective.
Anyway, all of that brings us to this notion of thinking big. As in, what can Vancouver do to be a vibrant city of the future?
A billion-dollar development along the Columbia River is a good step. The Waterfront Vancouver is expected to open two restaurant buildings, an office tower and an apartment complex this summer, triggering a transformation of the city. And the Grant Street Pier, stretching out over the Columbia, could become a landmark to rival Fort Vancouver for space on tourism brochures and Facebook feeds.
Yet there is more, so much more, that could be done. You know, like an arena or a stadium. A mid-sized arena could be home to concerts and a minor-league hockey team. If Portland would get off its duff and lure an NHL team (Seattle appears to be in line for an expansion club), Vancouver could be the new home for the Winterhawks. A minor-league baseball team, likewise, would be a good fit here.
Or maybe a concert hall, one that can accommodate theater productions and the Vancouver Symphony. Nothing says sophistication quite like a concert hall.
Or maybe an annual music festival spread among all the brewpubs that are popping up.
Or how about more radio stations? Clark County has nearly a half-million people but only one radio station dedicated to local interests and topics (KXRW at 99.9 FM). Of course, we’re thankful for a locally owned daily newspaper — and we’re definitely biased about the importance of that.
Or how about a new Interstate 5 Bridge, followed by a third and fourth bridge connecting Clark County to Oregon? We know, we know, that sounds ridiculous. Sigh!
Or how about a unique summer celebration? No, we could never rival Portland’s Rose Festival, but Garden Grove, Calif., which is one spot ahead of Vancouver on the list of most populous cities, has an annual Strawberry Festival that draws 250,000 people. Eugene, similar to Vancouver in population and density, annually hosts the Oregon Bach Festival, an international event.
Now, we realize that many local residents are not excited about all this growth. Some want the county to retain its small-town characteristics as they wonder where all these people are coming from. That is understandable, but it also can be counterproductive. If Clark County is going to continue growing, we might as well prepare for it. We might as well start thinking big.
