Vancouver City Hall Plaza

Project

Year

2024

Location

Vancouver, Washington

Client

City of Vancouver, WA

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The Challenge

Creating a New Civic Hub

During the Summer and Fall of 2024, First Forty Feet was asked by the City of Vancouver to develop the masterplan for the City Hall Plaza in its downtown. The project emphasized connectivity, community gathering, and integrating the plaza with the surrounding downtown fabric. A key challenge was establishing a strong connection between the historic Esther Short Park and the vibrant new Vancouver Waterfront while positioning City Hall as a prominent civic space. An additional challenge was to design the space in a way that would engage different communities from around the City in an effort to establish this civic area as the most inclusive public space in town.

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The masterplan illustrates how the historic red brick that is prevalent throughout the downtown was used as a wayfinding device through the civic core; leading residents from Esther Short Park to the Waterfront Park.

The Impact

Public Space That Supports Diversity

First Forty Feet’s design for the new City Hall Plaza in downtown Vancouver, Washington, fosters diversity and strengthens connections between the city’s key public spaces by creating an inclusive, accessible environment that welcomes everyone. The design prioritizes universal accessibility, thoughtful placemaking, and programming flexibility to accommodate a wide range of cultural, civic, and recreational activities. By linking the plaza with adjacent civic landmarks, pedestrian corridors, and green spaces, it enhances the flow of movement and invites people to engage more deeply with their city. The plaza's design reflects Vancouver’s rich cultural heritage, incorporating elements that celebrate the community's diverse voices, creating a shared space where people can gather, connect, and celebrate together. This integration of community and connection ensures the plaza is not just a destination, but a vital thread in the city’s public realm.