The Community & Economic Development Office and the Department of Public Works worked with Resource Systems Group on the Waterfront Access North transportation improvement project. The second phase was of a larger waterfront design project, and was completed in the fall of 2015. The first phase included the reconstruction of lower College Street, reconfiguration of the Pease parking lot, and construction of a new information building with public bathrooms.
The Waterfront Access North project involved rebuilding the end of Lake Street, realigning and upgrading portions of the bike path, brownfield remediation, utility undergrounding, new skatepark, sidewalks, plantings, lighting improvements, and all other needed public improvements. Financing for the second phase was completed with two separate votes - the first was on November 6, 2012, with 74.90% voter approval to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $6,050,000 to finance public improvements that serve the Waterfront Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, specifically for the Waterfront Access North project and for bike path improvements. The second vote was on March 4, 2014, with 69.53% voter approval for an additional $500,000 in general obligation bonds to finance public improvements that serve the Waterfront Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. These bonds are repaid with TIF revenue and do not increase taxes. In February 2010, the City received a $3.15 million federal award under the highly competitive TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant program for the Waterfront Access North project. The planning stages of the project are complete and were paid for through funds previously secured by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy to improve public access to all parts of the downtown waterfront.
- Waterfront Access North Project Sign
- Waterfront Access North Site Plan
- Waterfront Skatepark Site Plan
- Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center Site Plan and Future Building
The City sent out periodic updates on the project through an email bulletin. This bulletin was intended to provide information about relevant aspects of the Waterfront Access North construction project.
