Turtle Place Now Officially Open!

Friday, May 1, was the grand opening for Turtle Place, otherwise known as “The Running of the Turtles.” We couldn’t have asked for better weather– crisp blue sky, warm sun, and just a little bit of a breeze. It was the perfect day to launch the newest public park in Vancouver!

Students from Hough Elementary marched over through Esther Short Park, following the Columbia River High School Marching Band. When they arrived at Turtle Place, they met up with about 200 local families, businesspeople, and interested passers-by. Umpqua Bank handed out Umpqua Ice Cream bars, C-Tran offered tours of its hybrid buses, Clark Public Utilities had an information booth, and Kazoodles and Bad Monkey Bikes were represented–among many others!

Project manager Carl Dobbs (Lawnchair Guy himself!), VDA President Lee Coulthard, Jerry Nutter of project contractor Nutter Construction, Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, and La Center Mayor/C-Tran Board Chair Jim Irish all spoke to the enthusiastic crowd….but the stars, by far, were the visiting tortoises who held court on the plaza in between the water feature and the marching band.

To close it out and officially launch the park, our speakers christened the water feature with a fire hose provided by the fire department!

We were happy to have CVTV on hand to record the event — check out their coverage here.

It’s Almost There!

Things at Turtle Place slowed down a little over the winter, but hey — that’s the life of a turtle, don’t you know!

Now that Spring has sprung and the weather’s turning pleasant again, the Nutter Construction team is working like crazy to get things finished up. They’ve made such incredible progress, we’re able to announce a grand opening date!

Please join us on

Friday, May 1 at 10am

for

The Running of the Turtles!

Join Vancouver’s Downtown Association, our partners, and local citizens and businesses for the official opening of Turtle Place!

We’ll be posting more pictures and details here in the next few days–but in the meantime, SAVE THE DATE, plan to come out and play, and check out this shot of the mural wall right after they first lit the lights at night.

New Year Sees New Progress on Turtle Place

Happy New Year from the Lawn Chair!

We brought the chair inside for a bit last month, to keep it from being buried under a couple of feet of snow and ice, and from washing away in the rains that followed. but as 2009 eases its way in, we’re anything but restful over at 7th and Main. Drop by and check out the latest activities!

Here you can see the concrete that’s been cut and tipped up to outline planter beds and create seating in the plaza.

A closer look at the plantings. All planter beds here feature native, drought-resistant plants that are hardy and accustomed to our local climate, so they don’t need extra water or tending. After the rains we’ve just had it might seem a little strange to be thinking about “drought-resistant” — but come high summer, we’ll be saving huge amounts of water and still be seeing lush, vibrant plants.

Above, you’re looking at the cistern location and pedestal that the sculpture/water feature will rest on. We’re expecting the sculpture to arrive any day now. It’ll sit on these columns, and collect runoff from the ceiling of 701 Main next door. Water will run through it and collect and be recycled in a cistern at the base.

Stay tuned for more from the Lawn Chair!

The Weather Turns Colder, but Turtle Place Keeps Plugging Along

GETTING WIRED

The last few weeks at Turtle Place were consumed with matters electrical. We needed extra power to run the car charging station which will be located on the south side of Turtle Place. So Clark Public Utilities, The City of Vancouver and Nutter Corporation all worked feverishly to determine what was needed powerwise, where buried lines are located, and how it could all come together. Since all of the lines needed to be buried beneath the planted areas it was necessary to put a hold on further construction until we had this sorted out.

BURYING AND BUILDING

As of Monday the 1^st of December we are now back on track and there is plenty of activity as power lines are being laid like crazy. The latter part of that week saw sprinkler lines being installed in the planting areas (rain gardens). In addition, construction of the faux creek area where the sculpture/water feature will be installed will begin and this includes a water catchment area, uplighting and a river rock surface. We will also be placing the recycled concrete slabs throughout the plaza under direction of Mel Stout, Landscape Architect, of Harper Houf Peterson  Righellis Inc.

TREES AND LIGHTS

Planting of trees and bushes will be the next big pieces to be put in place along with installation of the LED lighting. The lights are on order and are winging their way to us as this blog is being updated. So when you are out doing that holiday shopping, cruise by and look in on our progress. Joey, Nutter’s on-site superintendent, loves to show people around and tell stories about the goings on. Look for him and get the inside scoop.

With all of this going on and the holidays happening it will likely be after the first of the year before another update — but from all of us at Vancouver’s Downtown Association, we WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL HOLIDAY SEASON.

Construction is Well Underway!

CITY PERMITS ISSUED

The recent burst of activity you may have noticed at Turtle Place was triggered by the City of Vancouver’s issuance of building permits. Nutter Corporation, our prime contractor is now all over this project in a big way.

ACTIVITY TO WATCH FOR

The rain garden areas have been carved out of the huge bus mall slab and pieces of the slab have been sized and preserved to be incorporated back into the design. These pieces will begin to be placed within the next week under direction of the Landscape Architects from Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.

In addition, you will see installation of the underground electrical lines that will power the landscape lights, water pumps and the electric  car charging station on Seventh Street. The City of Vancouver will shortly be removing the two existing light poles in front of the Mural and installing four new light poles along Seventh Street.

With the beautiful fall days we’re getting lately, take the opportunity to get out for lunch, grab some food to go from one of Vancouver’s excellent downtown eateries and pay a visit to Turtle Place to check out our progress in person. We would love to hear from you so drop us a line.

A New View On Main Street!

At long last, work is underway on the Main Street redirection project!

No, it’s not exactly Turtle Place, but this redirection project and the work on Turtle Place are happening at the same time, and they’re both an important part of the future of our downtown. In just a matter of weeks, Main Street will be returned to a two-way street, on the currently one-way section from 6th to 15th Streets.

Integrity Excavating & Construction, Inc. of Battle Ground, low bidder for the City of Vancouver project, started today on reducing the size of corner bump-outs and removing plants where needed. In the next few weeks, crews will begin constructing new curbs and creating new brick ramps to sidewalks. Small sections of pavement will be replaced where bump-outs once were.

This redirection is one part of a larger downtown revitalization project that’s been in the works for a few years now. Harper Houf Peterson Righellis, the same firm that designed our own Turtle Place, is consultant for the entire prject, and has been working with the City and a 10-member community steering committee to move the plans forward. When the Main Street project concludes,it will include: the two-way traffic redirection; total reconstruction of the street and pedestrian areas; public areas and street furniture; landscaping and vegetation; new street lighting; utility improvements; and improvements to intersecting streets east and west of Main Street for a short distance.

For more information about the project, check out the City’s web page about it or visit the window displays at HHPR’s office (1104 Main), where you can see plans and concept sketches like the one below.

Construction Begins at Turtle Place!

Nutter Corp. pulled out all the stops today to cut up the concrete at Turtle Place and rearrange the setting to accommodate more trees and prepare for the rain gardens that will filter run-off water before sending it off to the storm water system.

The weather might not have cooperated, but it didn’t stop the guys from Nutter, who’ve been making incredible progress.I’ve been wondering how “cutting the concrete” would work and it turns out that’s really what they’re doing. That huge blade is going through like a mega-pizza cutter and making a grid that they’re lifting right out. Amazing!

Check it out for yourself!

Turtle Place has Hatched!

It was a gorgeous morning, and about 150 folks came out to join us for the Hatching of Turtle Place. We couldn’t have asked for a better, more enthusiastic crowd to help us welcome this exciting addition to the Heart of Vancouver.

City officials, heads of business, nearby residents, and workers out to enjoy the sun were joined by a special guest, a turtle in a hard hat, who, worked the crowd so well we’re wondering if he’s running for political office this fall.

Project Manager and Lawn Chair Guy Carl Dobbs led the ceremonies, and introduced our speakers, Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard; Jim Irish, Mayor of La Center and C-Tran Vice President; Lee Coulthard, VDA President; Dean Sutherland, Clark Public Utilities, and Lisa Schmidt from Nutter Corporation.

The festivities concluded with a dramatic presentation of our “historic find,” a giant turtle egg! Russ Marks from Nutter Corp. lowered the egg toward the ground…..

And when it slipped and landed on the ground, our burst an array of little turtles!

Well, paper turtles that were masks/fans/souvenirs for the visitors on the ground.

A good time was had by all, and we are so excited to “officially” begin the process of bringing this park from a plan into reality. Stay tuned for images of the construction as it goes on!

The HATCHING of Turtle Place!

Turtle Place is hatching on Friday morning, 10:15 a.m., September 5 —– and you’re invited to take part in this historic event!

Schedule of Events

10 a.m. Press Conference
For local media, with Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, C-Tran Vice-Chair and La Center Mayor Jim Irish, and Vancouver’s Downtown Association President Lee Coulthard.

10:15 a.m. The Hatching of Turtle Place!
- Speakers include Mayor Pollard, Jim Irish, Lee Coulthard, Dean Sutherland (Clark Public Utitlities), and Jerry Nutter (Nutter Construction).
- Nutter Construction will have heavy equipment on hand to break the first section of concrete and officially mark the plaza’s beginning.
- Rumor has it a special guest of a turtle persuasion will be on hand, too!

10:30 a.m.  … It’s a Surprise! … Stick around to find out!

5 p.m. Art Walk Reception beginning at West Coast Bank
Come out for Art Walk and see how things have progressed! Representatives of Turtle Place will be on hand to answer questions and share plans.

Welcome, Nutter Underground

We’re thrilled to announce that Nutter Underground has partnered with us as contractor for the Turtle Place project. The folks at Nutter do great work, and we know that their involvement guarantees a top-notch project. And Jerry Nutter’s willingness to take on this project is also a testament to the company’s mission to keep giving back to the community. Check out some of their charitable work here.

And keep your eyes and ears peeled for our official announcement of the groundbreaking–er, turtle launch–er…well, you understand…..