Burlington Harbor Marina, LLC
Proposal Score: 79
Burlington Harbor Marina Proposal(1)
Burlington Harbor Marina Site Plan
Public Comments
If boating is to be considered positively, then let it be driven by the wind, not high octane.
This marina would bring so much more business to the coolest little city on this planet.
Burlington has proven itself to be a poor steward of the PUBLIC waterfront when it comes to boaters. They have taken public land protected by a federally built breakwater and have monopolized it and turned it into the most expensive marina on the lake. Protection behind the breakwater has been transformed into a floating hotel, largely catering to the wealthy elite, many from north of the border. This marina proposal is yet another effort to generate more revenue for the City on the backs of boaters and to make boating and the lake more inaccessible to the general public. Boaters looking for a safe anchorage and access to the city are met at the door by the revenue collectors with one message; pay up or you are not welcome here. If you don't like it go somewhere else, oh wait, there is nowhere else. Well now, we got you don't we, pay double then!
The comment below relates to the combination of two marina areas. It appears that there needs to be choice made between the two I order to preserve enough waterfront for other purposes. This proposal as a stand alone is acceptable if not combined with the parks and rec proposal. The idea that our waterfront would be taken up with services for luxury users even if it is clean and green ignores the socially unique character of Burlington which does not elevate high priced users above those seeking public access. We have to be so careful here. Marinas are only suitable for certain high paying clients. It becomes an exclusive asset to those who can afford this type of use
The PIT questions on this proposal were not related to the visual, aesthetic, and overall issue of the type of user for a marina - which appears to be catering largely to a luxury trade which is not representative of the ethos of Burlington. The comments here all appear to express concern that the waterfront is not taken up by a service that greatly affects local viewscapes and appears to be designed to cater to tourists not locals. While our own Parks and Rec seem committed to providing more space for boaters siting extensive demand and economic growth perspectives, there were no PIT comments on the impacts on Burlington by way of creating a facility which is driven by demand and growth, but is not in the scope or scale our small city normally considers to be within our own culture. I would hope the social impacts and aesthetic impacts of this luxury proposal would be carefully considered. There was only one comment requesting better design, but otherwise no recognition of how this type of tourism trade will affect our city.
This proposal offers a great solution to provide much needed access to the lake for Vermont residents, and access to Burlington and beyond for transient boaters. The waterfront is a perfect gateway to attract boating tourists who will stimulate the economy which benefits all Vermonters.
An accessible waterfront should increase public usage for all economic groups. It would sadden me to see more lake front taken up by private boats.
Shouldn't the amount of waterfront space dedicated to boaters be proportional to the number of boat-owners out of the general population? There are already three marinas for private boats in a 0.3 mile stretch of waterfront. Is this representative of the greater Burlington population? Shouldn't the waterfront be representative of the greater Burlington population?
Marina's are necessary; Lake Champlain is an asset to be enjoyed by boaters. But the central waterfront is not the location for another instance of a dedicated use that serves only a fraction of Burlington's population; excludes a portion of the waterfront for enjoyment by the non-boat-owning public; and pollutes the adjacent water to the detriment of.
Although we love the idea of more protection from south winds, what has happened to the moorings? Docks are more expensive for the city and the boater and they are harder on the boat in rough weather. They also make the boat more accessible to vandals and thieves. There should be moorings too and not just for transients. Getting rid of the mooring to add more docks prices many people out of the possibility of keeping a boat in the harbor. It makes the whole waterfront more elitist.
" . . and only the fit and mobile can experience."
Fits in with the notion that Vermont is becoming a state that only the wealthy can afford.
Proven VT developers willing to invest more money in our area....looking at their accomplishments, they should be given the opportunity to move forward.
