The National Park Service has awarded a $1.7 million contract to DSL Builders, LLC of Salem, Oregon to rehabilitate the Visitor Center at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The contract includes the design and construction of the rehabilitation project, which will reconfigure interior space to allow for accessibility, increase educational opportunities and enhance visitor experience. The project is expected to begin this fall and be completed in the summer of 2015.

The visitor center was built in 1961 as part of the National Park Service’s Mission 66 Initiative, commemorating the agency’s 50th anniversary. This rehabilitation, timed for completion before the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in 2016, will upgrade the facility to meet current accessibility standards, improve the park’s primary visitor restrooms, and upgrade the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems within the building.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site recorded over 780,000 recreational visits last year, and this rehabilitation will focus on designing the visitor center to better facilitate the community, visitors and educational and tour groups.

During the rehabilitation period, the National Park Service will be relocating the visitor center’s public service functions to the lobby area of Pearson Air Museum, located within the national park at 1115 E Fifth St. in Vancouver. The museum’s exhibits will remain in place and grow as the park introduces new aviation-themed exhibitry.