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Council approves revised Downtown West Phase 2 concept and authorizes land-sale negotiations
Summary
After a developer presentation, the Victoria City Council approved a revised concept for Downtown West Phase 2 — featuring mixed-use buildings, a ~12,000 sq. ft. active plaza, retail and owner-occupied condos — and authorized staff to begin land-sale negotiations and further design work.
The Victoria City Council voted to approve a revised concept plan for Downtown West Phase 2 and authorized staff to begin negotiations for a land sale with the selected developer, moving the project toward sketch-plat review and phased construction.
Community and Economic Development Director Jen Brewington summarized the downtown expansion history and introduced Victoria DW LLC’s updated plan. Developer representative Carl Brunk described iteration 10 of the master plan, highlighting a central active plaza (now about 12,000 square feet), two anchoring restaurants, retail buildings lining a new “main street,” and a mixed-use building that could contain city-operated community space and an HOA clubhouse. "We're excited about the plan," Brunk said, describing a mix of owner-occupied condos, walk-up townhomes and later-phase multifamily housing.
Council discussion focused on residential density, design and market risk. Councilman Roberts and others praised the connectivity and central plaza concept but noted retail tenants typically favor highway visibility and ample parking; the developer said the design intentionally uses topography and walkable attractions to draw visitors. The plan shows buildings up to four stories and an approximate total of 200 residential units if fully built as depicted; developers said they will phase construction and adjust to market demand.
City Engineer Cara Garin briefed the council on related infrastructure plans, including ongoing coordination with the Highway 5/11 project (bids opening imminently), construction of Stiger Lake Lane with sewer and water extensions, and design work for the central green and streetscape. Garin said stormwater management is being designed to sit underground beneath the central green and in other subsurface basins to preserve surface space for retail and public uses; she indicated a final-design authorization would likely return to the council on June 9 to allow a bid package to be issued this year.
The council voted to approve the concept plan and authorized staff to enter into land-sale negotiations by voice vote. Staff said the next steps are negotiating terms, refining phasing and returning with final design authorizations and any required public-private agreements.
