Washougal Towncenter Revitalization Project

About the Project

The City of Washougal is moving forward with the Washougal Towncenter Revitalization (WTR) project to develop outdoor recreation facilities near to the planned Washougal Library and the existing Washougal Community Center in the heart of Washougal’s revitalizing Towncenter District.

The project will result in the creation of:

outdoor community space
the city’s first off-leash dog park
a pocket park
a splash pad
a play element
improved and expanded public parking

September 2024 update

Construction at Washougal Community Center Set to Begin as Part of Towncenter Revitalization Project

The Washougal Community Center is set to undergo important renovations beginning September 30, 2024, as part of the Washougal Towncenter Revitalization Project. Schommer and Sons have been contracted to lead this phase of construction, which is expected to last approximately four weeks. Due to the renovations, the community center will be closed for approximately 8 to 12 weeks.

This phase will focus on enhancements that improve accessibility and functionality for the community, supporting our broader revitalization efforts to create a vibrant Towncenter. Specifically, it will involve an interior remodel of the Community Center, replacement of exterior windows with a storefront roll-up door and sectional door, installation of a new exterior canopy, and replacement of the exterior siding.

This construction marks a critical step in the project, which also involves the demolition of adjacent houses. The bidding process for the remainder of the project is expected to begin soon, with full-scale construction anticipated to start in January 2025. The comprehensive revitalization plan aims for completion by the end of 2025 or the first quarter of 2026.

February 2024 Update

Thanks to your input from the virtual open house and online survey, a proposed site layout was designed to plan for outdoor recreation facilities to meet the needs of the community. The project will be designed with a natural character, and the materials and textures used will tie into the existing architecture to create a unified feel.

On February 12, the Washougal City Council directed the project to move forward with the preferred design, shown below:

Preliminary Project Timeline

Design:
October ’23 – July ‘24
Permitting:
March ’24 – October ‘24
Bidding: November '24 – December '24
Construction: 2025

How to stay connected?

Check back at this website for updates.
Attend our upcoming in-person open house on March 12th, from 4 to 6 pm at the Washougal Community Center
Follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
Look for an upcoming summary of the open house.

Media

What’s next?

We are still in the design phase of the project and actively seeking community input to inform the process. The project team will move forward with the project design through later summer 2024.
Join us at an in-person community open house on March 12^th from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Washougal Community Center. We will be sharing details about the preferred site design and asking for your feedback on specific elements of the design.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

What have we heard from the community?

An online survey was open from November 8 through November 21 and we received over 500 responses! Thank you to all participants whose input will help guide the planning process and ensure the project reflects community goals. A summary of survey responses can be viewed here.

We hosted a virtual open house on November 14. The event was a one-hour Q&A session with the project team. A link to the open house summary can be viewed here.

Project History

The WTR project will bring much needed parks and recreation opportunities to an underserved community. The towncenter has a higher poverty rate than the city overall at 22.2% as compared to 13.7%. In addition, the towncenter has a significant population of minority residents (18.8%), a significant elderly population (14.8%), and a significant population of individuals with disabilities (19.4%). While there are 26 parks in the City, only one currently exists in the towncenter creating an opportunity to improve health and quality of life for residents while also increasing the attractiveness of the City’s downtown core.

Recognizing the need for additional park space in the towncenter, the 2019 Washougal Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan put forth the recommendation that the City consider purchasing property for the development of a downtown park. In 2020, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District selected the site for the new Washougal branch in the towncenter adjacent to the Washougal Community Center. This development presented an opportunity for the City to leverage FVRL’s efforts and cultivate additional public and private interest in the downtown.

Project Goals

The goals of this project are to provide vital enhancements to the quality of life in Washougal and promote economic growth by drawing the surrounding communities to an enhanced civic center, to share all that Washougal has to offer, educationally, culturally, and professionally. New urban greenspace will provide opportunities for passive recreation that supports individuals of all ages and will provide new opportunities for recreational programming at the adjacent community center. Improved access to the FVRL and nearby towncenter businesses will serve as a major catalyst for redevelopment, encouraging new businesses to locate in this area and individuals to stay, play, and shop in Washougal.

This project will result in both passive and active outdoor recreation opportunities for Washougal residents and visitors. All new recreational assets will be ADA compliant, and features will be designed for individuals of all ages and ability levels. ADA accessibility along with new recreational amenities will create opportunities for residents who may have traditionally faced barriers to parks and recreation.