September 14, 2011
3ßortlanb (Observer
Page 9
Vancouver City Hall Moves Downtown
Services combined under one roof
The City o f V ancouver has
moved! City staff and services from
five Vancouver buildings will now
be housed under one roof for the
first time at the new City Hall build
ing at 415 W. Sixth St. in downtown
Vancouver.
A dedication ceremony and open
house is scheduled Saturday, Sept.
17, from noon to 3 p.m.
Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt,
Vancouver City Council members
and City Manager Eric Holmes
closed up old the City Hall last month
which had served the community
for 44 years.
The new City Hall represents a
historic homecoming. Located next
to Esther Short Park and the Hilton
Hotel and Convention Center, it's
just a couple of blocks from where
the first City Hall stood in 1886.
Esther Short Park, dedicated in
get into an incredible new build
ing," said Mayor Leavitt. "We're no
longer leasing buildings all over
town. We're a buyer now, not a
renter, so we save money now and
we ll save even more when we own
it in future years. We're consolidat
ing expenses from five buildings to
one with this move."
City staff and services have
moved and consolidated from five
different locations in Vancouver to
one City Hall downtown, saving
roughly $ 1 million per year in lease
payments and operating expenses.
At the same time, the move stimu
lates downtown redevelopment the
city has worked so hard to create.
1855, is the oldest public square in
the Pacific Northwest in the heart of
Vancouver's downtown district.
Renovated by the City in the late
1990's, its five acres of public green
space and plazas include fountains,
a bell tower, flower gardens, play
grounds and picnic areas. It serves
as a cornerstone of downtown rede
velopment and revitalization.
Future redevelopment includes
revitalization of Vancouver's water
front, which will eventually connect
35 acres along the spectacular Co
lumbia River to the historic down
town core.
Vancouver purchased the new
City Hall building and vacant land
for $ 18.5 million, about half its actual
value out of bankruptcy court, le
veraging a depressed real estate
market to advantage.
"Challenging times allowed us to
Vancouver’s new City Hall
at 415 W. Sixth Street in
downtown Vancouver.
Veterans Needed as Mentors
roles, including coach, guide, ad
vocate and recovery supporter.
They listen to participants’ con
H onorably discharged vet
The m ission of the V eterans court and V eterans A dm inis cerns and problems, and help
erans are needed to serve as Court M entoring Program is to tration system s. In essence, them find solutions. A mentor
peer m entors to vets struggling support veterans in treatm ent m entors act as friends and al encourages and motivates the
with substance abuse and m en who are adjusting to civilian lies during a difficult time.
veteran as he or she progresses
tal disorders.
life and help them navigate the
Mentors serve a variety of through the justice process.
Having an ally who can relate
Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC
Zchon R. Jones, DC
333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212
(503) 284-7838
Truly making a difference in the lives of
Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years.
If you or someone you know has been in an accident,
call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838
We are located on the
comer ofM LK and Russell
Street, on the second floor
above the coffee shop.
to a vet’s concerns and experi
ences is critical to success in the
therapeutic court.
If interested in the veterans
mentoring program, contact co
ordinator Jim L unstrum ,a U.S.
M arine Corps V ietnam W ar
vet at 360-241-3448 or em ail
jplunstrum @ gm ail.com .
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Ticket Tax for
Stadium Proposed
Clark County is considering
a proposed tax on adm ission
charges for m ovie theaters,
a m p h ith e a te rs , th e C la rk
County Fair, fair concerts and
professional baseball games.
The Yakim a Bears Class-A
baseball team is considering
moving the team to Vancouver.
The adm issions tax could be
used to help build a m ulti-pur
pose stadium for baseball and
other events on the C lark C ol
lege cam pus. The money also
could be used to help pay for
other public program s.
County Com m issioners have
scheduled a public hearing for
Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. in
the sixth-floor hearing room at
the Public Service Center, 1300
Franklin St.
The focus will be a draft
ordinance for a 5 percent tax
lim ited to certain venues and
events, subject to an agree
m e n t w ith th e c ity o f
V ancouver.
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