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City Celebrates Opening of Rebuilt Northern Waterfront

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 23, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

City Celebrates Opening of Rebuilt Northern Waterfront
Waterfront Access North Represents First Major New Waterfront Public Infrastructure Investment in 20 Years;
New Skatepark, Enhanced Bike Path, Improved Lake Protection,
Infrastructure Extension & Enhancement to Serve New, Future Uses of the Waterfront

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today was joined by Senator Patrick Leahy, Governor Peter Shumlin, other State and City officials, waterfront stakeholders, and community members to celebrate the opening of the northern waterfront. The celebration marks the conclusion and ribbon-cutting of Waterfront Access North (WAN), the first major new waterfront public infrastructure investment since the creation of Waterfront Park in the early 1990s, and stands as a major step in the decades-long effort to reclaim the waterfront from its post-industrial history and convert it to modern use. Further, the extension and improvement of Lake Street and public utilities will support new uses of the northern waterfront.

Construction of the WAN project began in August 2014 and includes the following key improvements:

  • Realignment, widening, and rebuilding of the decayed and disjointed section of the Burlington bike path immediately north of Waterfront Park to better accommodate path users and other activities on the northern waterfront;
  • Creation of a new, world-class skatepark;
  • Remediation of environmental issues related to the site’s historic industrial use;
  • Undergrounding overhead power lines; and
  • Implementation of stormwater measures to provide new environmental protections for Lake Champlain, including the creation of gravel wetlands.

Project lays the foundation for new use of the northern waterfront and access to Urban Reserve
In addition, by extending Lake Street and building other road, sidewalk, and utilities infrastructure, WAN supports the future construction of the Town Meeting Day 2014 voter-approved Public Investment Action Plan projects – a new Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center facility, New Moran, and the Burlington Harbor Marina. The Lake Street extension connects the City’s road system to the southern boundary of the Urban Reserve, thereby enhancing its public access and future use.

“For well over 100 years, the bustling Burlington waterfront connected Vermont’s goods and people to the world and fueled the City’s growth,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “In the 1980s, after long decades of decline, the community began the process of transitioning from a post-industrial lake shore to a 21st Century waterfront. Today we celebrate another major step in the journey towards restoring the greatness and relevance of the full length of the Burlington waterfront. On behalf of current and future generations of Burlingtonians, thank you to the hundreds of people who worked for nearly a decade to make the rebirth of the northern waterfront a reality.”

“The Burlington waterfront has played leading roles in our commerce and culture and way of life throughout Vermont’s history, and today we mark the opening of the next chapter,” said Senator Patrick Leahy. “The improvements we celebrate today set the stage for continued revitalization of this tremendous asset. I look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor and the people of Burlington as they shape the waterfront into a space where all Vermonters are able to enjoy our ‘Great Lake.’”

"This is great news for Burlington and our entire state,” said Governor Peter Shumlin. “Burlington is home to one of the best waterfronts in America, and this investment will make it better and more accessible for Vermonters and tourists alike. It's good for jobs, the economy, and our state's unrivaled quality of life."

Senator Bernie Sanders, who was unable to attend the ribbon-cutting, shared the following thoughts:  “I am very pleased that the City has completed another important step to reclaim Burlington’s waterfront for the people of Vermont, an effort that I am proud began while I was Mayor of Burlington. We have come a very long way since then – when the downtown waterfront was filled with oil tanks, railyards, and abandoned buildings. I am also very pleased that federal economic stimulus funds paid for a large share of this project – that effort is still paying dividends, upgrading infrastructure and creating jobs right here in Vermont.”

Congressman Peter Welch, who also was unable to attend the event, stated: “Congratulations to Mayor Weinberger and the citizens of Burlington for another important milestone in the development of the City’s waterfront. These infrastructure improvements are good news for bike path users, skaters, and sailors and will help the City realize its vision of access for all to the Lake Champlain waterfront.”

WAN represents a $9.1 million investment in Burlington’s waterfront. More than 20 different funding sources large and small, including contributions from Burton Snowboards and individual community members toward the skatepark, made up the total project funding sources. 

Of the $9.1 million, $3.9 million came from tax increment financing (TIF) funds, voted for by Burlingtonians in 2012 and 2014 and generated from waterfront TIF district revenues. Approximately $4 million of the project was paid for by federal funding sources, supported by the members of Vermont’s federal delegation. The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission contributed just under $100,000 in EPA brownfields assessment grant funding to the City, toward cleanup planning and soil assessment during redevelopment on the Waterfront North parcel. Only $329,000 was paid for by non-TIF, local property taxes, including $150,000 from the Penny for Parks fund. 

SD Ireland Companies was the WAN project general contractor. For more information regarding the WAN project budget, please see the attached summary.

What is next for the waterfront?
Construction along the northern waterfront is anticipated to continue in the upcoming years. The Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department (BPRW) is leading the effort to rebuild the entire eight mile long Burlington bike path. BPRW anticipates constructing the path from WAN to North Beach in the 2016 construction season. The Community Sailing Center, Burlington Harbor Marina, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, and New Moran also are actively pursuing waterfront investments as authorized by the voters on Town Meeting Day 2014.

* Please see the attached documents, including:
Waterfront Access North sources and uses budget summary
Waterfront Access North site plan
Skatepark rendering

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Press Release Date: 
11/23/2015
City Department: 
Mayor's Office