Central Park Place

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Cost: $13.7 million

Completion: June 2023

Owner/Developer: Vancouver Housing Authority

Architect: CIDA

Interior Designer: CIDA

Engineer: Szn Group

General Contractor: LMC Construction

Submitting Company: LMC Construction

Subcontractors: AA Asphalting, All Trades General Contractors American Heating, B&B Tile & Masonry, Carlson Roofing, Cascade Radon, CDI Commercial Dcor, Compaction and Recycling Equipment, Dennis 7 Dees Landscaping, Eagle Striping Services, Frontier Metal Fabrications, Gregory Pacific, Great Northwest Gutters, Gresham Roofing and Construction, Halsey Design, JB Insulation, Jet Industries, Joshua Legacy Painting & Restoration, KO Construction, Lanz Cabinet Shop, LaRusso Concrete, McDermott Fence & Construction, Northwest Scaffold Service, Otis Elevator, Penetrations, Pilot Development dba US Mailboxes, Precision Countertops, Quality Cleaning Service, Recreation Services, Rothchild Construction, Stephen Waldroup Construction, Stoner Electric, TerraCalc Land Surveying, VPI Quality Windows, Western States Fire Protection

Central Park Place provides housing and supportive services for veterans and other unhoused Vancouver, Washington, residents who are experiencing both mental health challenges and varying types of addictions.

Originally built in the late 1990s, the existing 40,000-square-foot building located on the Vancouver Veterans Administration campus required major improvements to meet the needs of residents and service providers.

The journey to renovate Central Park Place began in 2019, a collaborative effort between the Vancouver Housing Authority, the Veterans Administration, the city of Vancouver and other stakeholders. The initial challenge was daunting: how to renovate an occupied building while ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents. That challenge led to an early engagement with LMC Construction, allowing for meticulous planning to accommodate phased construction and resident relocation.

As the project progressed, it encountered an unexpected twist: the pandemic. The team had to pivot, as it faced material shortages and cost increases, new health protocols and shifting permit processes. Flexibility in design elements, materials and building systems allowed the team to source materials from manufacturers that could meet the construction schedule and budget.

Innovative methods and technologies became the project’s backbone. Trauma-informed design was a guiding principle, ensuring that every aspect of the renovated space from enhanced safety measures to durable materials was tailored to create a welcoming and secure environment. The revamped building includes features like improved accessibility, reconfigured common areas and expanded outdoor spaces, all aimed at fostering a sense of community and inclusivity among residents.

The building’s transformation was not limited to its physical structure; it extended to its systems. A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC system was chosen for its efficiency and zoning capabilities, ensuring both comfort and sustainability. The commitment to sustainability continued with drought-resistant landscaping, on-site stormwater treatment and energy-efficient building envelopes. The project was designed to meet ESDS 3.0 criteria.

The safety of residents was also paramount throughout the renovation. LMC’s safety programs, such as real-time reporting through the Procore mobile app and software, ensured that every step of the project was executed with care. The diligence was particularly crucial during the pandemic, where customized health protocols were put in place to protect the vulnerable population.

LMC’s in-house drone program provided aerial surveillance and quality assurance/quality control site inspections, providing real-time monitoring of the site, enhancing situational awareness and allowing for proactive safety measures.

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