Vancouver Hilton Hotel and Conference Center
Vancouver Hilton Hotel and Conference Center with Esther Short Park in foreground
The Vancouver Hilton Hotel and Conference Center has 226 guest rooms, 30,000 s.f. of conferencing space, a full service restaurant and lounge and a business center. Beautifully designed, it is also the world’s first LEED certified, new-build, hotel / conference center. It opened on time and on budget in June 2005 and is the premier hotel / conference center in North Portland and Southwest Washington.
The Center is owned by the Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DRA) on land owned by the City’s Public Facilities District (PFD). It was financed with $73 million of tax-exempt bonds backed by projected operating revenues, City and County sales tax revenues, City lodging tax revenues and State matching funds. The City also provided a conditional and limited debt service guarantee.
As the City’s Director of Development, Executive Director of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and the Executive Director of the City’s Public Facilities District, Steve led the public development efforts on this project. This involved:
The Center is owned by the Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DRA) on land owned by the City’s Public Facilities District (PFD). It was financed with $73 million of tax-exempt bonds backed by projected operating revenues, City and County sales tax revenues, City lodging tax revenues and State matching funds. The City also provided a conditional and limited debt service guarantee.
As the City’s Director of Development, Executive Director of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and the Executive Director of the City’s Public Facilities District, Steve led the public development efforts on this project. This involved:
- Collaborating with Identity Clark County (ICC), a group of business leaders promoting the center;
- Assembling the site from multiple owners entailing extensive negotiations;
- Coordinating the bond broker, bond counsel and City finance staff in the efforts resulting in the financing structure;
- Managing the solicitation and selection of the design-build team including the management firm - Hilton;
- Managing and coordinating with the construction manager in the oversight of the design and construction of the Center; and
- Managing the City’s interactions with the media and public.