The Heights District SubArea Plan

The Heights District Sub Area Masterplan

Project

Year

2022-2023

Location

Vancouver, Washington

Client

City of Vancouver, Washington

The Challenge

Redevelopment of the former Tower Mall into an equitable 20-minute Neighborhood

The adopted Heights District Plan envisions a 20-Minute Neighborhood for Vancouver’s “mid-town” residents. It includes investments in multi-modal transportation (walk, bike, roll, and transit) and infrastructure improvements, such as redeveloping the former Tower Mall into a mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood served by the Mill Plain Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit line (The Vine). The redevelopment will support 4,800 residents and feature a commercial “Main Street” with a Civic Plaza, Neighborhood Park, and the Grand Loop Linear Park—part linear park and part street extending through and connecting each of the neighborhood place-making features and the MacArthur Greenbelt. The Heights District Masterplan implementation builds on the sound planning principles of the 2020 Heights District Plan with an emphasis on ensuring that the new street network and future development support the use and function of public spaces such as the plaza, parks, and Grand Loop. It also focuses on inclusive design applications for all abilities within the project area streets, intersections, and public spaces, as well as methods to modify driver behavior that support safe walking, biking, and rolling to destinations such as schools, parks, open spaces, and area trails.

Inclusive Design

The design of the Project Area Streets was informed by research, analysis, and discussions with accessibility groups to identify challenges and opportunities for promoting walking, biking, and micro-mobility within the District and to transit. By using contrast, texture, audible messaging, and QR-coded wayfinding, the project team created a suite of intersection, sidewalk, and wayfinding design elements that ensure safe and accessible streets and public spaces for people of all languages and physical abilities.

The play features of the Grand Loop, Civic Plaza, and Neighborhood Park are part of the City of Vancouver’s Project Play initiative, which aims to install inclusive play experiences throughout the city. The design supports radically inclusive new playscapes for community members of all ages and abilities, offering access to physical, social, learning, and discovery-oriented play—the first facility of its kind in Washington.

Active
Place-making

Early in the infrastructure design process, the project team recognized that refining the adopted Heights District Plan could strengthen the core place-making elements. This included orienting the Civic Park to Divine Road to improve visibility and access to Mill Plain Boulevard, which would support street-oriented retail and activate the Civic Park on all sides. Additionally, extending the Grand Loop to MacArthur Boulevard would strengthen its identity and increase use by connecting to the Greenbelt’s planned walk and bike facilities. Finally, orienting the Neighborhood Park along Devine Road would allow the park to be activated on all sides.

The Impact

Gentrification and displacement are the most pressing fears facing this community.

The Height District has a diverse community, not only socially and culturally but also economically.

The Heights District Masterplan is implementing an anti-displacement strategy to prevent existing local businesses and residents from being displaced due to either new construction, cost of living, cost of services, or simply doing business. The city is coordinating new policies and actions that promote equitable development and reduce the harmful impacts of involuntary displacement on residents, businesses, and cultural organizations. The plan will promote economic development that supports local businesses and provides opportunities for new businesses to thrive. This includes supporting small businesses through access to resources and capital, promoting a diverse mix of retail and commercial uses, and encouraging the development of new job opportunities.