The Columbian

Clark County Business

Above, The Ninebark apartments near the Port of Camas-Washougal are among new developments coming to Clark County.

Clark County could see 1,000s more apartments in 2024 as developments in Vancouver, Camas, Washougal take shape

December 15, 2023, 6:04am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Fisher’s Quarry, the Heights, Waterfront Gateway and the Camas-Washougal waterfront — will be moving into their next stages of development next year. Combined, the mixed-use developments are expected to bring thousands of new residential units and tens of thousands of square feet of retail space to the county. Read story

Construction continues at The Ledges at Palisades in Camas on Tuesday morning. The multifamily development is one of several around the county slated to come online in the coming years.

Multifamily construction: Occupancy rates in Clark County hit healthy level, rents remain steady, real estate company says

December 14, 2023, 6:09am Business Subscriber Exclusive

With Clark County’s multifamily occupancy rate healthy after having been tight coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, rents in the area have remained steady. And developments are still coming online to accommodate the area’s growing population. Read story

High rents and increases are pushing Washington residents out of their homes, according to recent data.

Rent hikes pushing tenants out of homes in Clark County, around Washington

December 14, 2023, 6:08am Business

Last year, Mary Moore paid about $1,600 a month to rent an apartment in Vancouver. But when a $250 rent hike pushed beyond her budget, the 69-year-old was forced to move. Read story

Casey Jewell, left, and her son, Charley Jewell, live in a mobile home with a large hole in the kitchen ceiling. Cassie Jewell said the hole formed last spring and has since grown.

Rights without a remedy: Washington law creates dilemma for low-income renter at mobile home park on Highway 99

December 13, 2023, 6:05am Business

A pair of pork chops wait in Casey Jewell’s freezer. They’re one of her son’s favorite foods, and she’d like to cook them for him. Read story

After its windows were broken in recent weeks, Bleu Door Bakery decided to sell Broken Window cookies so the community could show support for the business.

Vancouver businesses’ windows broken during spate of vandalism

December 12, 2023, 5:12pm Business

Bleu Door Bakery has been a staple of Vancouver’s Uptown Village for more than a decade. It’s well known in the community for its decadent pastries and cookies. Read story

Vicky Wirkkala is the artist behind VW Spectrum Designs, which creates intricate handmade papercrafts through the art of quilling.

Working in Clark County: Vicky Wirkkala of VW Spectrum Designs

December 11, 2023, 3:05pm Business Subscriber Exclusive

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, local artisans are carefully constructing beautiful handmade creations to meet the demand for thoughtful gifts. Read story

City of Redmond senior planner Ian Lefcourte explains that the Together Center in Redmond was built with money generated by an inclusionary zoning program that requires developers to designate 5 percent to 10 percent of units as affordable with lower rents. Developers can choose to pay a fee instead.

Is requiring new apartments to include affordable units the right move for Vancouver? It’s working in Redmond

December 9, 2023, 6:14am Business

The city of Redmond, a Seattle suburb, requires 5 percent to 10 percent of new apartments to set rents at a level deemed to be affordable. It’s a policy called mandatory inclusionary zoning, and it’s generating affordable housing not just in Redmond, but also in Seattle, Portland and 500 other… Read story