A (mostly) dismal year for construction

Mixed-use, public projects and renovations top list in 2009

BY JODIE GILMORE For the VBJ

Despite this year's many economic heartbreaks, missed opportunities and unrealized visions, some of Clark County's commercial real estate developers were busy during 2009, working mostly on mixed-use developments, publicly-funded projects and renovations of existing buildings.

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Mixed-use still popular             

Already home to several "live, work, play" developments like Washougal Town Square and Vancouvercenter, Clark County added to a lengthening list of mixed-use projects this year with 118 apartments at Battle Ground Village beginning construction last summer, as well as the opening of an Umpqua neighborhood "store" at Esther Short Commons in mid-May.

Meanwhile, the Downtown Vancouver Waterfront Access Project, allowing traffic to pass beneath the BNSF railway, secured $2.5 million in federal stimulus funding this year to pave the way for an estimated $1.3 billion in mixed-use waterfront redevelopment. The access project, which will create two underpasses for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists at Esther and Grant streets.

Two projects by Prestige Development, while not mixed-use themselves, support the "live, work, play" vision driving downtown Vancouver development of late. The proposed Prestige Plaza apartment complex at 13th and C streets may begin construction in late 2010. Prestige is also planning a new bank building at 409 E. Mill Plain, to begin construction next summer.

Other mixed-use projects, however, fell on hard times in 2009. The Port of Camas-Washougal's plans for a 65-acre mixed-use development in partnership with developers Riverwalk LLC stalled earlier this year when the Port and developers couldn't agree on terms. The two parties eventually went to court, with a judge ruling in favor of the Port and ordering Riverwalk to pay $608,000 in attorney's fees.

In downtown Vancouver, Prestige Development's The Luxe, originally planned as a 56,000 square-foot mix of commercial and residential condos, remains on indefinite hold. Killian Pacific's 101 Building, a 65,650 square-foot combination of retail and office space on 6th and Broadway, also in downtown Vancouver, is awaiting interest from tenants before moving ahead.

Population growth drives retail projects      

Anemic consumer spending and a lack of available credit made for one of the slowest years for retail development in decades, with two notable exceptions: Lacamas Square at 192nd Avenue and First Street in East Vancouver; and Bowyer Marketplace in Brush Prairie at the corner of 119th Street and S.R. 503.

Portland-based developer Gramor is developing Lacamas Square. Killian Pacific is developing Bowyer Marketplace, where a WinCo will anchor the 20-acre project. Vancouver-based Robertson and Olson is the general contractor for the project, with the exception of the 93,000 square-foot WinCo, slated to open in April 2010.

Good news for bookworms

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District completed two new libraries this year, and has made a good start on a third.

Completed last May, a new library branch serves as the anchor for Battle Ground Village, attracting 36,000 people every month, according to a spokeswoman for the development.  Opening this month, the Cascade Park library in East Vancouver occupies a space 10 times the size of its former home.

And in one of the biggest projects currently under way in downtown Vancouver, last August marked the groundbreaking of a new $38 million, 83,000-square-foot Main Library - a central component of the renamed and mostly on-hold Library Square development. According to the building's contractor, Portland-based Howard S. Wright, the project should create 160,000 worker hours and open in 2011.

Activity continues at Ports      

Both the Port of Camas-Washougal and the Port of Vancouver forged ahead with development plans this year.

The Port of Camas-Washougal is creating a master plan for industrial development of 122 waterfront acres, as well as repairing the breakwater and several launch ramps. Grove Field Airport, which the Port owns, completed an environmental assessment and is now expanding the runway and building new hangars.

The Port of Vancouver's West Vancouver Freight Access Project had four projects begin construction in 2009. One of the four was the Terminal 5 project, the recipient of $2.5 million in federal stimulus money to help create a major gateway for the Port's growing trade in energy-generating wind turbines. Breaking ground last August, the project is scheduled to be complete in summer 2010.

New looks for old buildings

Although many construction projects stalled this year, renovations continued apace, with two major commercial renovation projects taking place in Camas in 2009.

Journey Community Church is on track for celebrating Christmas services in a newly-renovated building on 4th Avenue, previously the site of the Columbia River Bar & Grill. Schlecht Construction helped the congregation convert the 11,000 square-foot two-story brick structure into an airy worship space.

Also on 4th Avenue, the Camas Hotel received a face lift from new owners Karen and Tom Hall. The 1910 building is the oldest commercial building in Camas, and when renovation of the 10,330-square-foot building is complete, guests will enjoy larger rooms with private bathrooms and an on-site cafe.

It's a wrap            

No one would want to repeat 2009 - once was quite enough. But there is hope that 2010 will offer new opportunities for commercial real estate developers as lending requirements ease and new manufacturers and employers move into the area.

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