Vancouver Connects

Give small businesses a holiday boost

‘Tis the season of giving. This year, I invite you to explore and support the small businesses that make up 95% of all businesses in Vancouver and keep your holiday dollars local. When you shop small, you support local jobs and the places and people who make Vancouver unique and keep it thriving all year.

At the Dec. 15 City Council meeting, Council will vote to endorse a final land use map for Vancouver. The map, called the Preferred Alternative, is part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan update and shows the different uses and scales of buildings that can be located around the city. While this is a major milestone in the process, the draft updated plan and code will be released in early 2026 for the public to review and weigh-in on final details before the map, plan and code are officially adopted in the summer. Sign-up for the project email list to stay informed.

Construction work continues on Vancouver's 120-bed bridge shelter, 5313 N.E. 94th Ave. The shelter is expected to be completed in fall 2026.

Together with Do Good Multnomah and community partners, the City is building a trauma-informed shelter where privacy, secure storage, pet accommodations and direct access to medication assisted treatment will support safety, dignity and services that help people address barriers and move toward stable housing.

Round one of our new Fourth Plain for All Community Grant supported 22 projects this year with up to $5,000 each. Co-designed with Fort Vancouver High School students, the program is helping families, celebrating culture and creating opportunities along the Fourth Plain Corridor. Funded projects include youth entrepreneurship, cultural festivals, mentoring, food access, cold-weather outreach and community events. This program is part of the City’s larger Fourth Plain for All community investment strategy – bringing more than $25 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to strengthen Fourth Plain.

Wrap those water pipes, disconnect the hoses and dig out the snow shovel! Winter is coming. Vancouver Public Works reminds everyone that the best time to prepare for freezing temperatures and severe winter weather is before they occur. Learn how to prevent frozen water pipes, sign up for garbage/recycling service alerts, and view the City's top priorities for deicing and plowing during icy weather and snowstorms on our severe weather page.