Main Street Promise
In January 2025, construction will begin to improve Main Street in downtown Vancouver from 5th Street to 15th Street. We are investing in making Main Street safer, more accessible, and connected for businesses, residents and visitors. That is the Main Street Promise.
Construction Details
Starting in January, this project will reconstruct Main Street. The street, sidewalks, street lighting and adjacent outdoor spaces will be reconfigured to improve safety, create community and drive economic prosperity. Main Street construction is being planned in phases to help minimize disruptions to businesses and residents. During each phase, work will occur at about two blocks at a time. This approach allows for normal vehicles and pedestrian access outside of the construction zone. With major infrastructure projects, schedules can change.
Phase 1: Wastewater (sewer) and water utilities, planned for Jan. through summer 2025
- Heavy road impacts, contractors working in the street
- Minimal sidewalk impacts with existing sidewalks anticipated to remain open
- Temporary business impacts when connecting utilities (aiming for 4 hours max per closure)
- Construction starts between 12th Street and 15th Street, then moves to 5th Street and continues north
- The contractor plans to complete both phases 1 and 2 during the time they are working between 12th and 15th streets; the intersection at Mill Plain Boulevard is expected to remain open
Phase 2: Street surface and sidewalks, planned for spring 2025 through spring 2027
- Street and sidewalk impacts
- Temporary sidewalks installed to doorways where needed
- Temporary business impacts when connecting utilities (aiming for 4 hours max per closure)
- New landscaping, seating, bike racks, lighting and other elements installed during this phase
- New trees will be planted with the lower portion of the project during fall 2025 and the upper portion of the project planted in fall 2026 to maximize tree heath
During construction, the contractor will maintain pedestrian access to buildings within the work zone blocks. Temporary closures to pedestrians (up to 4 hours at a time) will be needed at times to complete work; accessible detours will be provided. The project team will communicate with affected businesses and property owners in advance to help minimize construction impacts.
General Construction Timeline
Project Improvements and Benefits
Increase safety and mobility
- Curbless streets to increase access and help slow traffic
- Extended and ADA-compliant sidewalks
- Tactile sidewalk treatments and audible crossings for visually impaired community members
- Pedestrian-scale lighting to illuminate sidewalks
- Enhanced intersections and crosswalks
- More bicycle parking
- New traffic bumps to reduce vehicle speed
- Parallel parking to improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians
Welcome visitors and support Main Street businesses
- Removeable bollards to close the street for pedestrian-only events
- Outdoor seating and furnishings
- Year-round decorative lighting
- Six new dedicated spaces for fixed or rotating public art
Improve infrastructure
- Reconstruct water, wastewater (sewer) and stormwater utilities
- Repave the street surface and install new traffic signals
- Repave side street segments: Evergreen Boulevard from Washington to Main; 12th Street from Washington to Main; and 13th Street from Main to Broadway Street
- Install new power access for use during festivals and events
- Install electric charging stations for vehicles and e-bikes
Community Engagement
The Main Street design was developed and refined with your expansive community input gathered through presentations at more than 20 city and community boards and commission meetings, five project advisory group meetings, two open house events and two surveys. The project team also received feedback through numerous online and in-person interactions with property owners, businesses and community members who walk, bike, roll, drive and use public transit to visit Main Street.
Contact Information
Are you a business owner along Main Street in the project area? Reach out to the Project Team by phone, 360-487-8770, or email mainstreetpromise@cityofvancouver.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overall Project Questions
How is the project funded?
A variety of sources are being used to fund the Main Street project, including American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), City Transportation fund, Multi Family Tax Exemption Benefit Fund, and utility funding.
What work is being done on Main Street?
The project will create a new streetscape design that defines Lower Main Street between 5th Street and 15th Street as its own distinct commercial district, with its own set of finishes, street furnishings and pedestrian-oriented improvements. Sanitary sewer and water main lines will be replaced. Traffic signals will be improved, new streetlights will be installed, sidewalks will be replaced, and the street will be reconstructed and repaved.
What are you doing to minimize impacts to businesses?
We are working closely with business owners to ensure timely information is being shared, access is maintained during construction and concerns are addressed in a timely manner. A strong partnership with Vancouver’s Downtown Association allows business owners to have an active voice throughout the lifetime of this project, with opportunities to influence design and construction plans.
Design
Are you taking away parking on Main Street?
Our goal is to maintain the existing parking capacity. The new design will reconfigure angle parking on Main Street into parallel parking spaces. Parallel parking will be used to improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians. Parking analysis as part of project planning showed that the parking capacity of Main Street should not be negatively impacted. Our goal is to prevent loss of parking capacity along Main Street.
Why turn angle parking into parallel parking?
Parallel parking builds a balanced street for people and vehicles and contributes to an active people-friendly sidewalk. By converting angle parking to parallel parking, Main Street sidewalks can widen to support outdoor dining spaces, art, landscaping, and other elements. Parallel parking also provides better visibility of Main Street storefronts, which encourages patronage and increases safety.
Are there examples of other cities who have successfully completed similar projects?
Revitalization of Oregon City’s Main Street over the last decade is an example of a successful project with similar objectives. Investments in the streetscape have transformed the area into a popular destination for neighbors and visitors alike.
Will there be EV charging stations incorporated into the Main Street redesign?
Yes, we will be installing electric charging stations for vehicles.
Could one-way streets be a simple solution to help solve parking?
Traffic engineers have considered a one-way street in the past; however, the two-way Main Street configuration is preferred because of the value it brings to businesses.
Are side streets being considered for loading/unloading freight and for business deliveries?
The City developed strategies for loading and unloading goods both along the corridor and on cross streets.
Will there be any facade improvements as part of this project? Does the City plan to provide resources or financial support to improve buildings in the project area?
We do not have plans for façade or building improvements.
What’s being done to make Main Street safer for families, visitors and businesses?
Improving safety and universal accessibility are key components of this project.
Will you be inviting artist’s designs to the project? Are there plans to involve local artists? How will art be incorporated?
The design team will reach out to local artists to contribute to the project in a meaningful way to help enhance and create a downtown destination. Selection of public art will be coordinated with the city’s Arts and Culture Commission.
What’s being done to connect Main Street to the new Waterfront?
Building connections to and from Main Street is a key component of this project.
What’s being done to make the appearance of Main Street look more uniform or consistent?
An Urban Design and Placemaking strategy was developed and helped guide this project.
Construction
Will there be access for pedestrians/cars during construction?
During construction, the contractor will maintain pedestrian access to buildings within the work zone blocks. Temporary closures to pedestrians (up to 4 hours at a time) will be needed at times to complete work; accessible detours will be provided. Emergency access will be maintained.
What areas are included in the project and when will each area be under construction?
Construction areas will include the street and sidewalk (both sides) along the length of Main Street between 5th Street and 15th Street. Additionally, the following side streets will be resurfaced: Evergreen Boulevard from Washington to Main; 12th Street from Washington to Main; and 13th Street from Main to Broadway Street. During each phase, work will occur at about two blocks at a time. This approach allows for normal vehicles and pedestrian access outside of the construction zone.
What are the hours of construction?
Typical construction will be from 7 a.m. through 8 p.m. However, some underground utility work and primary intersection work may occur after hours and at night. Weekend work may be required pending weather restraints and to maintain schedule.
Will the street closures on Main be as extensive as the recent Broadway Street project?
Our goal is to minimize closures and impacts to business operations. The project team will communicate with affected businesses and property owners in advance to help lessen construction impacts.
Background
Can you provide general background information?
In 1993, the City of Vancouver first developed the downtown Main Street Streetscape Improvement project. The project was divided into two project areas: North Main and Lower Main.
In 1996, the North Main Project, also known as Uptown Village, was funded and constructed to include complete reconstruction of the street and pedestrian areas from building face to building face.
The Lower Main Street Streetscape Improvement Project (MSSIP) was then designed and included a variety of project objectives:
- Create a stronger sense of community identify and provide a welcoming place to attract Vancouver residents and other visitors
- Create a conducive environment for renewed investment by business and property owners
- Begin to establish a connection between Esther Short and waterfront areas west of downtown with the Historic Reserve and East Waterfront
- Create an attractive, visual image of Vancouver’s downtown that can be a model for future improvements
The City investigated funding sources for the MSSIP for the next 25 years without success, employing funding strategies in 2003, 2006, 2014, 2019. At each attempt, due to the substantial cost, the project was not funded. Although significant design and planning work for Lower Main Street Improvements has been accomplished, the resources necessary to construct the project were substantial and the work was not funded until 2021, when funding was identified as one of the City’s future American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects.
Can you provide a more detailed background timeline?
The Main Street Promise, as it is known today, began in 1993 when the Main Street Improvement Project was envisioned. Then, in 2003 the first conceptual design and cost estimate was completed and in 2009 the project got to 95% design. A second and third design update were developed in 2014 and 2019 respectively. In 2021, the City secured funding from a combination of federal and local funds and, in June 2022, MacKay Sposito, PointNorth Consulting and First Forty Feet were selected to lead the streetscape design and public involvement efforts.
1993: The downtown Main Street Streetscape improvement project was first developed by the City of Vancouver with two project parts: North Main and Lower Main.
May 1995: The “Downtown 2000 Committee” of the VDA recommends an implementation plan, actions and improvements for Main Street, between 5th Street and McLoughlin Boulevard. However, no funding was identified at that time.
May 2003: Engineering firm hired for Main Street Project updates and considerations. A Conceptual Design and Cost Estimate Report was prepared by Harper Houf Righellis and the City of Vancouver. This report took into consideration “the public concern over the past 10-15 years of the safety and character of Main Street … and its impact on the downtown retail businesses.”
Spring 2006: Initial Main Street Streetscape project meeting led by a 10-member Main Street Steering Committee comprised of business owners, property owners, architects, historic preservation advocates and local community members. Most are still active in the downtown community.
6/30/2006: Main Street Project initial Concept Design and Recommendations Report prepared by Harper Houf Peterson Righellis, Inc. Report findings and ideas were shared and presented to the public in a series of meetings, including two community Open House events, two property owner meetings and two business owner meetings. In addition, surveys, comment forms and various newsletters were distributed to businesses, property owners and the public at large. These public involvement forums provided opportunities for the community to review the design recommendations and be part of the planning process.
2009: Main Street Project initial Concept Design and Recommendations with 95% design completed
2014: Main Street Project initial Concept Design and Recommendations – obtained a Design update and report
2016: Main Street Project initial Concept Design and Recommendations – obtained another Design update and report
2021: The City of Vancouver secures funding from a combination of federal and local funds
June 2022: MacKay Sposito, PointNorth Consulting and First Forty Feet selected to lead the streetscape design and public involvement efforts
2023: Expansive community input gathered through presentations, meetings, open houses and surveys
2024: The final Main Street design refined and developed after a robust outreach efforts
2025: Construction is anticipated to begin in early January 2025