After selecting the Port of Vancouver's proposal for a Downtownhotel and convention center in late October and then throwing itout one month later because it was too expensive, the City ofVancouver is moving forward with a plan by Landmark Organization ofAustin, Tex., a runner up in the first round.

Unlike the Port's proposal which had railroad tracks between thehotel and convention center, Landmark proposes an all-in-one225-room hotel and 80,000-sf convention center at 6th and Columbia,immediately south of Esther Short Park. Designed by Fletcher FarrAyotte, the building would be owned by the public facilitiesdistrict, leased by the city and managed by Marriott.

Ironically, though, because the city has decided to use thestate's design-build selection process instead of its own, Landmarkand Fletcher Farr Ayotte will have to compete again for the work.Today, Dec. 19, the City will begin the process by requesting thequalifications of teams interested in submitting proposals.