Vancouver and Clark County

[CouvScott]

City not wavering on Boise ambitions

Tuesday, May 2, 2006
By JEFFREY MIZE, Columbian staff writer Advertisement


A potentially huge bill for roads and other improvements isn't enough to deter Vancouver officials from pursuing their waterfront dream.

City council members showed no signs of political retreat Monday after hearing a preliminary list of projects to improve access to Boise Cascade's property along the Columbia River.

Vancouver wants to build on its success in revitalizing downtown and allow that momentum to spill south to the waterfront.

"We have an opportunity to do something that has never been done before," Mayor Royce Pollard said toward the end of a two-hour meeting between the city council and Port of Vancouver commissioners. "I don't know what it is yet. But if you like Esther Short Park, you're absolutely going to love what happens here."

City officials envision a thriving waterfront with 3,000 condominiums, 125,000 square feet of retail space, 250,000 square feet of office space, 200 hotel rooms and an esplanade running along the shoreline.

"This is just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Councilwoman Jeanne Harris said.

How much it will cost to achieve that opportunity isn't known. Boise is in the process of analyzing an undisclosed number of offers to purchase its 29 acres of underused industrial land. City officials are planning for a waterfront district that will generate more than 20,000 car trips a day.

"We've got a big vision," Councilman Tim Leavitt said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us. We're looking at hundreds of millions of dollars of improvements."

That was the closest anyone came Monday to putting a price tag on the projects. City officials distributed a spreadsheet showing more than two dozen projects to be built over the next 13 years, but not a single one included a specific cost.

Officials hope to tap a variety of sources state, federal, city, port and private to pay for the projects.

Vancouver has long envisioned punching Esther Street south through the railroad berm to provide more access to the waterfront.

Other transportation projects being studied include:

* Upgrading Jefferson Street and extending the road diagonally across The Columbian's property, roughly parallel to the BNSF railroad, to an improved intersection at Sixth and Grant streets and into the waterfront district.

* Rebuilding the existing railroad trestle to provide almost 18 feet of clearance over Sixth Street so vehicular traffic can pass freely underneath.

* Constructing a new rail line along Seventh Street that would peel off the BNSF tracks and head west under the existing railroad bridge over the Columbia River.

That last project, designed to provide rail access to the port's Columbia Gateway maritime-industrial project, would cost an estimated $55 million, including improvements to the port's internal rail network.

Councilman Larry Smith said the potential for big bills must not deter Vancouver from achieving its waterfront vision.

"Even though it's going to be tough and difficult, it can be done if you stay committed," he said.

[zilfondel]

"After the luncheon, Paulson said there are ways for houses and railroads to coexist, but it needs to be carefully planned from the beginning so you don't have residents complaining about the noise and demanding action."

They need to go take another look at the Yards at Union station in the Pearl...

[der Reisender]

I'm really impressed with how gung-ho the Vancouver govt seems to be about going through with this plan, it would really transform Vancouver and its perception around here. I just hope they leave room for a MAX extension from the Expo center, the economic savings of living in Vancouver coupled with some real urban density and lifestyle would no doubt attract enough people to fill these units. Just wonder what the bill for it all will amount to

[CouvScott]

Tuesday, May 16, 2006
By JEFFREY MIZE, Columbian staff writer Advertisement


State officials will assist, not block, Vancouver in crafting an urban waterfront on the Columbia River, the state ecology director promised Monday.

Jay Manning spent most of the day in Clark County, meeting with local officials and touring different sites, including the Boise Cascade property west of the Interstate 5 Bridge.

"We will be a partner with you in that redevelopment process," Manning told the city council following his waterfront tour.

Boise is in the process of selling its 29 acres of underused industrial property to private developers. The company reportedly has a buyer, but the identity of the high bidder in this waterfront sweepstakes likely won't be revealed until demolition is completed in the fall.

City officials envision a bustling waterfront with 3,000 condominiums, 125,000 square feet of retail space, 250,000 square feet of office space, 200 hotel rooms and an esplanade running along the shoreline.

Manning told council members that a number of Washington cities, including Bellingham, Spokane and Tacoma, are looking to recapture their waterfronts after decades of industrial use.

"It's happening big-time here," he said. "I didn't realize that until I came today."

The Ecology Department, which jointly implements Washington's Shoreline Management Act with cities and counties, has a strong preference for water-dependent uses along waterfronts.

The city's vision for the Boise property is for a thriving mixed-use area, not one that emphasizes a marina or other water use.

But Manning indicated that the state has no intention of putting up regulatory roadblocks.

"I don't think our process will pose any obstacles," he said. "I think we will be able to work very well together."

The city and the Port of Vancouver are in the beginning stages of piecing together what promises to be an expensive plan to provide roads and other infrastructure to support intensive waterfront development.

The Boise site currently is zoned for industrial use. City officials believe they can exert considerable influence over private redevelopment because a zone change will be needed to allow for major urban construction.


Did you know?

* Washington's Shoreline Management Act was adopted through a 1972 referendum.

* The law regulating shoreline development has three general policies: encourage water-dependent uses, protect natural resources and promote public access.

* Cites and counties develop their own shoreline master plans, and the state offers technical assistance and reviews local programs and decisions.

[Hub for an Empire]

^^^^ For background information: Spokane started to recapture it's waterfront (Riverfront Park) for Expo in 1974. The current Spokane River Gorge Park proposal was originally proposed by the Olmstead Brothers in the early 1900's. The Centennial Trail along the Spokane River started in the late 1980's and currently reachs from Riverside State Park , west of downtown, to Coeur d 'Alene, Idaho........parts of the trail will be included in future years around the Kendall Yards development.

[CouvScott]

Project offers new library, new look for downtown Vancouver
Riverwest - Twin towers of condos and a hotel would anchor a four-block area
Thursday, May 25, 2006
ALLAN BRETTMAN
VANCOUVER -- An anonymous donor has pledged $5 million and a developer has given a $2 million tract of land for a proposed main library downtown.

Now it is up to voters to decide Sept. 19 whether to approve $43 million in bonds that would pay for that library and another on the east side, as well as other system improvements.

The new main library would be one of the cornerstones of the $165 million, four-block Riverwest project next to Interstate 5 near downtown Vancouver.

Riverwest would feature two 12-story buildings with condominiums, a seven-story office building and 17,000 square feet of retail space. One of the condominium buildings would also house 75 to 85 hotel rooms on the lower six floors. Also, 11 town homes would be built near one of the condominiums and a restaurant would be built on a public square.

Developer Killian Pacific has said construction could start as early as the first half of 2008. The property, currently the home of a car dealership, is next to a movie complex near the Interstate Bridge.

Susan Hildreth, in-coming president of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association, said libraries are becoming part of other developments in urban areas where land is scarce and neighborhoods are "reinventing themselves."

Riverwest's construction depends on voter approval of the bonds.

Here's why: In March, the state Legislature named Riverwest as one of three projects statewide that would receive money under a Local Infrastructure Financing Tool. The bill would provide Vancouver with as much as $500,000 annually for 25 years to pay for 400 of the 900 spaces in a Riverwest underground parking garage.

That money -- funneled through the state from a variety of Vancouver tax sources -- is contingent on the library being part of the project, said Steve Burdick, director of economic development for the city.

If the library bond fails, "then we're back to Square One," Burdick said.

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board approved several resolutions Tuesday night setting in motion the Sept. 19 bond vote.

The $43 million bond, which requires a 60 percent supermajority, would pay for:

The new 90,000-square-foot main library about four blocks west of the existing main library on Mill Plain Boulevard.

A new 25,000-square-foot branch library next to the Firstenburg Community Center on 136th Avenue.

Technology improvements at the Vancouver Mall library, including wireless access and self check-out stations.

The cost to taxpayers would be an estimated 17.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation over the life of the bonds, or $35 a year for a home with an assessed value of $200,000.

[MarkDaMan]

c'mon 'couver...I'd like to see this come together.

[pdxstreetcar]

excellent news, this should be a great project

[CouvScott]

Economic Development
Waterfront Redevelopment
The anticipated adoption of the Vancouver City Center Vision Plan in early 2007, the sale of the 29-acre Boise-Cascade site to a private developer and the restructuring of rail spurs provide the opportunity to transform this prime area along the Columbia River. The vision is to develop the property into a vibrant array of condominiums, restaurants, an upscale hotel, boutique shops and offices.

The Vancouver City Center Vision Plan envisions a total revitilization of Vancouver's urban waterfront focusing on residential uses supported by significant public access, recreation, cultural, hospitality, entertainment and limited commercial uses.

Proposed features:

Housing (Lofts, condos and townhouses)
Retail/ Entertainment
Convenience retail
Tourist retail and restaurants
Upscale hotel
Office
Structured parking

[CouvScott]

^ In looking at this, the sinking of the railroad berm subgrade, the pedestrian-only walkways through town, the max bridge/max street location and the waterfront park ideas are great. I just don't like the marquam looking bridge. If the bridge does raise that high, at least the city can reconnect with central park, officers row and the fort (via the street grid).

[pdxstreetcar]

this would be absolutely great

i like how the park becomes the key pedestrian focal point and intersection.

i dont understand why they show a double decker bridge since they'll need all the clearance under the bridge that they can get

where are they envisioning the max station in downtown vancouver? the existing downtown transit center? or a new transit center?

a concern is that burying the tracks is a huge expense on its own

[CouvScott]

Originally Posted by pdxstreetcar

this would be absolutely great

i like how the park becomes the key pedestrian focal point and intersection.

i dont understand why they show a double decker bridge since they'll need all the clearance under the bridge that they can get

where are they envisioning the max station in downtown vancouver? the existing downtown transit center? or a new transit center?

a concern is that burying the tracks is a huge expense on its own

The city of Vancouver has been looking into lowering the railroad berm from the Tidewater Cove area all the way to downtown, so that the whole waterfront wouldn't be quite so hidden from Vancouver. It was originally built to control the flood waters into the Pearson airpark area, but it really seperates the two areas from each other.

As far as MAX in Vancouver, this concept shows a route up Washington St. which is currently a one way South street. I'm sure they would have to change that around a little or split the route on two streets. The 7th street transit station is something Vancouver wants to move to the North, possibly in the Mill Plain area of downtown. This will allow easy access off of Mill Plain and I-5 and open up more land for density in the City's core. If I had my choice, I would run Max North on Main and South on Washington through uptown to 4th plain. Eventually, that Northern track could take it to WSU and the Salmon Creek Hospital. Seperate considerations should be made for the East/West and I-205 or 164th ave. corridor lines. But, I do feel that it is immenent.

[CouvScott]

Boise buyer: Down to 2?

Sunday, May 28, 2006
The Columbian


So who's buying Boise Cascade's downtown Vancouver waterfront property?

Company officials said earlier this month that the buyer might not be announced until after site demolition is completed by fall.

Rumors, however, persist in business circles here about who that buyer or buyers might be.

The emerging profile suggests the Boise investors are local with previous development experience and have the patience and deep pockets to accept the risks of converting an industrial site to retail, commercial and residential uses.

Boise closed bidding for its 29-acre property northwest of the Interstate 5 Bridge in March. While the company did not set a minimum bid, real estate experts suggest the price is somewhere around $25 million.

Two names that keep coming up as possible buyers -- Gramor Development Inc. of Tualatin, Ore., or Kiewit-Pacific, the Vancouver-based engineering and design firm.

Al Kirkwood, a semi-retired Kiewit executive from Ridgefield and founder of Vancouver development firm Kirkwood & Kirkwood Inc., said he doubted that Kiewit would be the buyer since the company focuses mostly on big government projects like bridges, roads and dams. On the other hand, Kirkwood, who with his son is developing East Side Spectrum, a $9 million family bowling center in east Vancouver, would not say whether he or other ex-Kiewit execs might be investors in the Boise purchase.

His comment? No comment.

The most likely Boise buyer candidate is Gramor with its 20 years of development experience in Clark County.

The company is best known for a series of retail projects that have marched along with Clark County's expanding population. Recent projects include:

* Center Square in Salmon Creek, a retail-Burgerville restaurant development in partnership with The Holland Co.

* Salmon Creek Square at Tenney Road and Northeast 10th Avenue.

* Heritage Market Center, a grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping center at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 162nd Avenue.

The company is proposing new projects in Hazel Dell, Orchards and northeast Vancouver.

More than retail

But Gramor has tackled more than retail.

In 2003, the company invested heavily in Lake Oswego's downtown redevelopment strategy, helping transform the lakeside community's aging shopping district with upscale projects that included Lake View Village, a $30 million complex of shops, restaurants and offices. Nearby, Gramor's A Street Station has attracted a mix of commercial, retail and restaurant tenants fronting 38 townhouse units.

Robert Galante, Lake Oswego's redevelopment director, said Gramor's initial projects nudged additional development forward, nearly quadrupling property tax revenue in the downtown district over the past several years.

He said Gramor "can do it; whatever it takes. It's just a matter of what the community wants."

After repeated phone queries and e-mail messages last week, David Copenhaver, Gramor vice president, said in an e-mail response that the Boise site was "not something I am prepared to address at this point."

Vancouver businessman Steve Oliva, a longtime Gramor investor, was not ready to talk, either.

Oliva, founder and president of Vancouver-based Hi-School Pharmacy Inc., partnered with Gramor as he expanded his store chain throughout the region. Since selling his pharmacy business to Walgreen Co. a few years ago, Oliva may have more resources to devote to something as big as the Boise site.

When contacted for this story, Oliva said he could not say who the Boise buyer might be and couldn't speak for Gramor.

Downtown chess board

Oliva did say that there are a number of pieces in play on Vancouver's downtown chess board.

"You've got possible changes at the west end of Columbia Business Center. You've got the Killian site on Grand Boulevard and their old Copps auto dealership downtown site. You've got Killian's empty block next to the West Coast Bank Building," Oliva said. "Actually, how all of these things are developed depends on what the city is willing to do. What the city wants on the waterfront is the key."

The city is calling the Boise property the Columbia West Renaissance District. The city's concept for the waterfront development includes a mix of mid-rise condominiums and offices, an upscale hotel and commercial retail developments.

Gramor has experience building most of that in Lake Oswego.

Working with the city

Steve Burdick, Vancouver's director of economic development, said he doesn't know who the winning Boise bidder might be and is not concerned about whether it is a local company versus a national one. Instead, city leaders are more interested in the winning bidder's ability to work with the community.

"It's more, are you going to work with us and are you attuned with the vision we've come up with there," Burdick said.

Burdick and other city leaders were hoping the winning developer would be announced sooner than this fall.

City officials expect to unveil the draft environmental impact statement for the City Center Vision in July and approve the final plan by the fall. Burdick said ideally the developer of the Boise property would have input on the document.

With Gramor's long investment history in Clark County and its experience working with city and county planners, the company seems like a contender for the Boise site.

[CouvScott]

Boise buyer: Down to 2?

Sunday, May 28, 2006
The Columbian


So who's buying Boise Cascade's downtown Vancouver waterfront property?

Company officials said earlier this month that the buyer might not be announced until after site demolition is completed by fall.

Rumors, however, persist in business circles here about who that buyer or buyers might be.

The emerging profile suggests the Boise investors are local with previous development experience and have the patience and deep pockets to accept the risks of converting an industrial site to retail, commercial and residential uses.

Boise closed bidding for its 29-acre property northwest of the Interstate 5 Bridge in March. While the company did not set a minimum bid, real estate experts suggest the price is somewhere around $25 million.

Two names that keep coming up as possible buyers -- Gramor Development Inc. of Tualatin, Ore., or Kiewit-Pacific, the Vancouver-based engineering and design firm.

Al Kirkwood, a semi-retired Kiewit executive from Ridgefield and founder of Vancouver development firm Kirkwood & Kirkwood Inc., said he doubted that Kiewit would be the buyer since the company focuses mostly on big government projects like bridges, roads and dams. On the other hand, Kirkwood, who with his son is developing East Side Spectrum, a $9 million family bowling center in east Vancouver, would not say whether he or other ex-Kiewit execs might be investors in the Boise purchase.

His comment? No comment.

The most likely Boise buyer candidate is Gramor with its 20 years of development experience in Clark County.

The company is best known for a series of retail projects that have marched along with Clark County's expanding population. Recent projects include:

* Center Square in Salmon Creek, a retail-Burgerville restaurant development in partnership with The Holland Co.

* Salmon Creek Square at Tenney Road and Northeast 10th Avenue.

* Heritage Market Center, a grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping center at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 162nd Avenue.

The company is proposing new projects in Hazel Dell, Orchards and northeast Vancouver.

More than retail

But Gramor has tackled more than retail.

In 2003, the company invested heavily in Lake Oswego's downtown redevelopment strategy, helping transform the lakeside community's aging shopping district with upscale projects that included Lake View Village, a $30 million complex of shops, restaurants and offices. Nearby, Gramor's A Street Station has attracted a mix of commercial, retail and restaurant tenants fronting 38 townhouse units.

Robert Galante, Lake Oswego's redevelopment director, said Gramor's initial projects nudged additional development forward, nearly quadrupling property tax revenue in the downtown district over the past several years.

He said Gramor "can do it; whatever it takes. It's just a matter of what the community wants."

After repeated phone queries and e-mail messages last week, David Copenhaver, Gramor vice president, said in an e-mail response that the Boise site was "not something I am prepared to address at this point."

Vancouver businessman Steve Oliva, a longtime Gramor investor, was not ready to talk, either.

Oliva, founder and president of Vancouver-based Hi-School Pharmacy Inc., partnered with Gramor as he expanded his store chain throughout the region. Since selling his pharmacy business to Walgreen Co. a few years ago, Oliva may have more resources to devote to something as big as the Boise site.

When contacted for this story, Oliva said he could not say who the Boise buyer might be and couldn't speak for Gramor.

Downtown chess board

Oliva did say that there are a number of pieces in play on Vancouver's downtown chess board.

"You've got possible changes at the west end of Columbia Business Center. You've got the Killian site on Grand Boulevard and their old Copps auto dealership downtown site. You've got Killian's empty block next to the West Coast Bank Building," Oliva said. "Actually, how all of these things are developed depends on what the city is willing to do. What the city wants on the waterfront is the key."

The city is calling the Boise property the Columbia West Renaissance District. The city's concept for the waterfront development includes a mix of mid-rise condominiums and offices, an upscale hotel and commercial retail developments.

Gramor has experience building most of that in Lake Oswego.

Working with the city

Steve Burdick, Vancouver's director of economic development, said he doesn't know who the winning Boise bidder might be and is not concerned about whether it is a local company versus a national one. Instead, city leaders are more interested in the winning bidder's ability to work with the community.

"It's more, are you going to work with us and are you attuned with the vision we've come up with there," Burdick said.

Burdick and other city leaders were hoping the winning developer would be announced sooner than this fall.

City officials expect to unveil the draft environmental impact statement for the City Center Vision in July and approve the final plan by the fall. Burdick said ideally the developer of the Boise property would have input on the document.

With Gramor's long investment history in Clark County and its experience working with city and county planners, the company seems like a contender for the Boise site.

[CouvScott]

Wednesday, June 28, 2006
By THOMAS RYLL, Columbian staff writer Advertisement


Shortly before 10 Tuesday morning, the county commissioners voted unanimously to vote unanimously shortly after 10 to put a $43 million library construction measure on the Sept. 19 ballot.

It was all on account of state law that makes the commissioners the Vancouver Library Capital Facilities Area board. Voters formed the facilities area as part of the first attempt, in 2004, to pass a library measure. But the financing portion failed then, as it did, narrowly, in November.

In accordance with the rules, the commissioners, acting as the library facilities board, voted Tuesday morning to again put the measure before voters. A few minutes later, the commissioners, acting as county commissioners, approved a consent agenda that included the bond proposal.

Discussion on the proposal was short Tuesday. Commissioners were briefed on the library's request at a work session last week. "I'm sold," said Commissioner Steve Stuart. "This is a situation where two plus two doesn't equal four. It equals nine."

The proposal would build new libraries in downtown Vancouver and east Vancouver, at the site of the city's new Firstenburg Community Center, and provide new equipment for the Vancouver Mall Community Library.

The new downtown library would be the keystone of the Killian Pacific Riverwest project, proposed for the four blocks at Evergreen Boulevard and C Street now occupied by the Carr auto dealership.

The plan for Riverwest includes 200 apartments, 120,000 square feet of office space, 15,000 square feet of retail space, a central plaza, the 90,000-square-foot library and an underground parking garage.

An anonymous donor has pledged $5 million to the library's bond effort, and the Killian family is donating the site, valued at $2 million, for the Riverwest library.

Despite climbing construction costs, the Sept. 19 package will accomplish everything in the November 2005 bond measure, but for $1 million less. The November proposal got 59.37 percent of the vote, but needed a 60 percent supermajority.

Today's Mill Plain library building, dating to the early 1960s, is 48,000 square feet. If voters approve the bond issue, most of the Mill Plain building would be used for book processing and administrative offices, but some space would be reserved for public use after the library moves out.

$200,000 home: $35 a year

A 25,000-square-foot library would be built in east Vancouver, next door to the Firstenburg Community Center. That library, referred to now as the "eastside library," would replace the tiny Cascade Park Community Library, which is about 2,500 square feet.

The bond issue would have an estimated tax rate of 17.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or about $35 per year in property taxes on a $200,000 home.

The library proposal would also be one of the first beneficiaries in the state of a measure for three pilot projects approved by the Legislature this year. The measure makes a portion (400 of 900 spaces) of the Riverwest underground parking lot eligible for public financing. Of those 400 spaces, 200 would be free to library patrons and 200 would be available for other public use.

If the city, the county, the Port of Vancouver and the library district all concur, property tax proceeds from a portion of the taxes on the project would be plowed back into the cost of those parking spaces. The arrangement would not affect other property taxpayers.

At last week's county commissioners' work session, Stuart praised the eastside library, so close to the Firstenburg's pool, as the ideal place for children "to run around and get their energy out and then sit down and read a book."

That prompted Bruce Ziegman, Fort Vancouver Regional Library District executive director, to quip, "So long as they still don't have their swimsuits on."

[CouvScott]

Thursday, June 29, 2006
VANCOUVER -- A phased demolition of buildings on the Boise Cascade riverfront property is expected to begin next week and be completed by December, a Boise spokeswoman said Wednesday.

"That's the schedule right now. It could change," said spokeswoman Linda Alden.

The property's sale will take place upon completion of the demolition, Alden said.

She did not identify the buyer and said the buyer would be responsible for announcing the sale.

She also declined to reveal the terms of the sales agreement, including whether the buyer or seller was paying for the property demolition.

Boise Cascade announced in January that its 29-acre former mill-site property, along the Columbia River west of the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay and next to the BNSF Railway tracks, was for sale.

[CouvScott]

Wednesday, August 2, 2006
By JONATHAN NELSON Columbian staff writer Advertisement


Downtown Vancouver's lone auto dealership is a step closer to leaving its landmark site and joining the competition at the auto mall near Andresen Road.

Carr Auto Group is asking the city to change the zoning of seven parcels, four of which the Oregon-based company owns, so it can build Cadillac and GMC, Pontiac and Buick showrooms at the corner of Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 66th Avenue. The two buildings would stretch across 4 acres, an acre bigger than the dealership's location at 901 C St.

Dan Kuske, vice president of Carr, said the company is talking with General Motors officials about the design of the two showrooms. He said the earliest construction could begin would be later this year.

"We have the utmost urgency to get it going," Kuske said. "Time is running out on us."

The urgency is rooted in an agreement between Carr and GMC that requires the auto lot to move out of downtown and near the Vancouver Auto Mall within three years after the 2005 purchase of Bill Copps Motors.

Carr, which employs 60 people, paid approximately $1.9 million for the four parcels, Kuske said. The price for building the showrooms hasn't been determined, he said.

Carr executives had hoped construction would have started this summer, but finding the land and maneuvering through the planning process has taken longer than anticipated.

Carr's entry into the Clark County market mirrors the national trend of consolidation. Last year, Vancouver businessman Alan Webb expanded his line of automobiles when he bought the Vancouver Mazda Dodge dealership. He also intends to move the company from its Hazel Dell location to the auto mall area.

The downtown auto dealer opened in 1917. Copps became a partner in the business in 1967. The property, now owned by Killian Pacific, is being considered for a major redevelopment project that would move the downtown library onto the site as part of a residential, retail and commercial complex.

Jonathan Nelson covers retail. Reach him at 360-759-8013 or jonathan.nelson@columbian.com.


Update

Previously: Carr Auto Group of Hillsboro, Ore., bought the Bill Copps Motors dealership in downtown Vancouver in 2005.

What's new: Carr is asking the city for a zone change on land near the Vancouver Auto Mall and intends to move the dealership to the new site.

What's next: Company officials hope construction can get started before the year ends.

[CouvScott]

Wednesday, August 2, 2006
By CAMI JONER and JULIA ANDERSON, Columbian staff writers Advertisement


A brief press release on Tuesday announced the investors who are buying the 29-acre Boise Cascade waterfront property in Vancouver. Short biographies of the investors accompanied the release. The buyers are:

* Steve and Jan Oliva, Vancouver. The Olivas are owners of Hi-School Pharmacy Inc., Vancouver, that until recently was the dominant pharmacy store chain in the region. The Olivas sold the pharmacy business and the majority of the company's 40 stores to Walgreen Co. in 2003. They continue to have ownership interest in 20 stores and hold real estate assets in Oregon and Washington.

Jan Oliva is co-founder of the Vancouver Women's Foundation. She is president of the Clark College Foundation, co-chairman of the Citizens for Better Libraries and a community arts benefactor.

* Allan and Saundra Kirkwood, Ridgefield. The Kirkwoods are co-owners of Vancouver property development firm, Kirkwood & Kirkwood Inc., which is developing a $30 million east Vancouver mixed-use project called East Side Spectrum. Set to open next month inside the project is Big Al's, a $9 million bowling and family entertainment center. Allan Kirkwood is a retired senior executive and board member of Omaha, Neb.-based Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc., a leading U.S. construction company. The Kirkwoods own and operate a Ridgefield racing-horse stable.

* Steve and Jo Marie Hanse*, Vancouver. Steve Hansen is a senior executive with Kiewit Corp. and board member Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc. and of the La Salle Corp.

Jo Marie Hansen is a a member of the board of directors of The Community Foundation and SHARE Inc. in Vancouver.

* George and Paula Diamond, Lake Oswego, Ore. George Diamond is president of Real Estate Investment Group, a Portland firm specializing in land and commercial property sales, leasing and investment. Diamond recently served as the principal broker for the 16-acre South Waterfront high-rise residential development in Portland. The Diamonds have interest in more than 20 commercial properties in the Portland-metro area.

Paula Diamond has worked on behalf of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland and sits on the board of directors of the Hellenic American Cultural Center and is past president of the Lakeridge Pacer Parent Club.

SOURCE: Gramor Development, Tualatin, Ore.

[urbanlife]

very cool news.

[PDXPaul]

Man the 'couve starts changing once I leave. Close up old Bill Copps and build something decent on it. And that closed down Denny's too on Mill Plain.