Esther Short Commons

Vancouver Farmers’ Market in front of Esther Short Commons

Esther Short Commons won the 2006 HUD / AIA award for best mixed-use / mixed-income project in the nation. It is composed of 21 market rate and 139 affordable residential units and 20,000 s.f. of commercial space constructed on two city blocks. Adjacent to the Commons on Esther Street, the Vancouver Farmers Market operates Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons from May through October. The street is uniquely constructed with center storm drains, rolled curbs, and many, small and submerged utility vaults to accommodate the more than 200 vendors that offer their goods on a typical summer weekend.

The Commons is structured as a residential / commercial condominium. The Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) owns the residential units and 8,000 s.f. of the commercial space. A private developer, Kemper Co, owns the remaining commercial space. VHA and Kemper Co secured financing from ten sources.

Steve played several key roles in this project, including:

• Negotiating an agreement through which the City leased the 8,000 s.f. of commercial space owned by VHA and sublet that space to the Vancouver Farmers Market. The lease to the City enabled VHA / Kemper Co to demonstrate a secure source of revenue from a significant portion of the commercial space and was one key to obtaining financing.
• Assisting in securing subordinated, low interest rate City and County Community Development Block Grant loans.
• Negotiating a promissory note in lieu of an upfront payment of the City parks impact fee.
• Coordinating with the City transportation department in the design and construction of the improvements on Esther Street to support the operations of the Farmers Market.
• Coordinating with the City public works department to replace old sanitary sewer and water lines prior to the project’s construction. See links for:

Esther Short Commons:
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/econdev.asp?menuid=10464&submenuID=10525&projectID=18396

Vancouver Farmers Market:
http://www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com/index.html