It took at least a decade, but Vancouver finally got itself a mayoral horse race – one with consequences that could reverberate from Tijuana, Mexico to the Canadian border.
We're referring, of course, to the proposed Columbia River Crossing project, with talk of tolls on the span providing much of the political drama between Mayor Royce Pollard and his opponent, Councilman Tim Leavitt. The project seeks to replace what remains the only lift-bridge on the entire I-5 corridor – a major trade route linking three countries.
With the November general election fast approaching, both candidates looked to draw sharp contrasts between each other, not only on proposed CRC tolls, but on development, taxes and the issue of mayoral accessibility. And with 43 votes separating Leavitt from Pollard in last month's primary, the race is as closely-fought as it is closely-watched.
During last week's debate sponsored by the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and held in downtown's Esther Short Park, the candidates seemed to agree on one thing – the mayor of Vancouver does not make the final decision on tolls.
Despite that fact, both candidates saw City Hall as a bully pulpit with the potential to influence the CRC debate in Olympia, Salem and perhaps, Washington, D.C.
Pollard touted the bridge project, along with a proposed $1.2 billion waterfront development, as a job-creator and an instrumental part of Vancouver's economic future. "The I-5 Bridge is about trade and commerce," Pollard said at a Vancouver Rotary Club appearance on Sept. 9. "It's not about getting to Oregon faster so you can shop."
Appearing self-confident and relaxed at last Thursday's debate, Leavitt garnered applause from the afternoon crowd for his skepticism regarding at least one proposed source of funding for the project – tolls.
"A federal project that provides commerce for the entire West Coast should not be put on the backs of the residents of Clark County. Period," Leavitt said.
During his Rotary speech earlier that week, Pollard focused on mitigating the impact of tolls on the thousands of Washingtonians commuting over the Interstate Bridge into Oregon each morning. "Tolls are the wave of the future in highway transportation projects," Pollard said. "My aim is to make them as low as possible."
As much as the CRC debate drew a sharp line between the candidates, it also exposed the candidates' competing visions of Vancouver's future.
At the debate, Leavitt argued for more investment for what he called "overlooked" neighborhoods, such as parts of East Vancouver. He also called for more city park funding, including money for summer camp programs like one he attended growing up in the city's Minnehaha neighborhood.
Meanwhile, Pollard pointed to his successes, including the rehabilitation of Esther Short Park, which provided the backdrop for last week's debate. "Does anyone remember what this park looked like 10 years ago?" he said.
In his Rotary speech, Pollard outlined some of his behind-the-scenes business activities, including ongoing negotiations to keep Hewlett-Packard in the city, along with semiconductor company SEH America, Inc., which has purchased HP's Vancouver campus.
On issues confronting other Vancouver business owners – big and small – the differences between Leavitt and Pollard were less clear. Both candidates looked to downtown Vancouver as a destination, drawing visitors from all over the Pacific Northwest.
At the debate, Leavitt blasted the mayor for once favoring a reinstatement of the city's moribund Building and Occupancy tax and proposed sales and utility tax increases, promising to convene a business advisory council if elected. "There are some very tough decisions to be made," Leavitt said.
The dialogue soon shifted to how best to keep Southwest Washington residents from driving to sales tax-free Oregon to shop and eat. On this issue, there was general agreement, with Leavitt saying there should be "more diversity" in shopping venues and restaurants and Pollard calling for "more choices." However, there were no specific policy proposals from either candidate.
On the issue of waterfront development, Pollard emphasized the project's potential positive economic impact during a nascent economic recovery, claiming the state would receive a $140 million return on its investment. "The waterfront is a project we cannot afford not to do," he said.
The proposal looks to transform 35 acres along the Columbia River into a mixed-use development including restaurants, shops and hotels.
Pollard also touted his reputation on both sides of the river as the city's economic booster. "We will go anyplace, anytime, to bring companies to America's Vancouver," Pollard said at last week's Rotary luncheon for an audience that included many in the city's business community.
Warmly received at the event, Pollard seemed unflappable even as he geared up for the final leg in the most competitive race in his political career – one that began, like Leavitt's, in the City Council. "I believe the next four years in this city are going to be the most critical in our community's history," he said.
A central figure in Vancouver city politics for almost 20 years, Pollard said if re-elected this would be his last term as mayor.
Leavitt called for a more open and accessible City Hall. He proposed holding city council meetings in high school gymnasiums and community centers to enable more residents to attend and have their voices heard. But mostly, Leavitt called for change. "It's time to wipe the slate clean and start over," he said.
Running on his 12-year record as mayor, Pollard seemed to sum up his bid for a fourth term toward the end of his Rotary speech last week: "Though we're almost there, we're not there yet. We've come a long way."
