Incoming Chief of Staff, Communications Director, and Administrative Assistant bring years of experience in local and state politics and government.

Burlington, Vt. – Mayor-elect Emma Mulvaney-Stanak today named the three people who will assume key roles as she begins her first term as Mayor of Burlington.

Erin Jacobsen, Chief of Staff. Jacobsen most recently served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General and the Co-Director of the Community Justice Unit at the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. She has previously served on the faculty of Vermont Law and Graduate School and directed the school’s poverty law and immigrant rights clinics. Jacobsen is a graduate of Emerge Vermont, a political leadership training organization for Democratic women.

Joe Magee, Communications Director. Magee joins the Mayor’s Office after serving two-and-a-half years on the Burlington City Council representing the Old North End and Downtown. He most recently served as an outreach and communications advisor for Mulvaney-Stanak’s mayoral bid. Prior to joining the campaign, Magee worked as an event logistics consultant, and as a National Advance Manager for Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, producing nationally-televised campaign events 

Emma Allen, Administrative Assistant. Allen has served in this role for the  Weinberger administration since July 2023. She brings prior experience with constituent engagement and administrative support, having served in the offices of Senator Peter Welch and former Senator Patrick Leahy.

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Media Contact:
Joe Magee
jmagee@burlingtonvt.gov
(802) 829-5289

New Terminal Building Leads the Way in Sustainability and Efficiency and Improves Traveler Experience; Funded by $34 million FAA Grant Directed by Senator Leahy 

Burlington, VT - Yesterday, Mayor Miro Weinberger and Aviation Director Nic Longo unveiled the City’s plans for a new terminal building “Project NexT” to replace the north concourse, the latest and largest sustainable infrastructure project at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. The new design will enhance operational efficiency while improving the traveler experience and will set the stage for future growth at the airport. Present at the announcement was Senator Patrick Leahy, who directed $34 million in FAA funds to execute the project.  

“Of all Burlington’s stories of recovery and investment over the past 12 years, none has been more dramatic than the Airport. On the day I came into office, it was one of just two junk-bond rated airports in the country and was courting disaster with less than one month's cash on hand,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Today, Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is one of the busiest airports in New England and is one of the great economic engines of the region – contributing close to half-a-billion dollars to the local economy every year. The plans we have unveiled for the new terminal will bring LeahyBTV into the future and create a stronger, busier, greener airport for hundreds of thousands of Vermonters and visitors to enjoy for years to come.” 

Project NexT has been on the Airport’s planning and development Master Plan for close to a decade. As Leahy BTV has adapted to new aviation technologies and traveler demands, Project NexT is the natural next step in the transformation of the Airport. The terminal building will be transformed to become linear and interconnected to enhance operational efficiency and safety. For travelers, improved amenities will be offered, inclusive of new vendor space, gate areas, and jet bridges. For airport partners, airline storage and baggage claim space will be re-designed to meet current equipment needs.  

“A vibrant Burlington airport is an important component to the economic vitality of Vermont,” said Senator Leahy. “Not only is it a gateway for visitors to our state that support our food and hospitality industries but access to air travel is important for Vermonters and Vermont businesses.” 

Funding to execute Project NexT is anticipated from the FAA through the typical Airport Improvement Program (AIP) process, with the funds coming with Senator Leahy’s support in the FY23 Congressional Directed Spending Bill. The appropriation provides 90% funding once the project is bid and the grant offer is received. The Mayor will bring the bid and grant acceptance for Council Approval at the final council meeting on March 25. The 10% local share will be supplemented with Passenger Facility Charges (PFC).  

“As can be seen in the completed Terminal Integration Project and recent efforts like EV fleet upgrades and our new renewable energy pilot, Leahy BTV is commitment to carbon-neutrality. This commitment to a cleaner and brighter future for the airport and our community will continue with Project NexT,” said Nic Longo, Director of Aviation, Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. “Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in achieving our long-term sustainability, operational, and safety goals, which we are actively work towards everyday. We hope that by pushing the boundaries of what's possible and leading by example, we are shaping a greener future for Airports across the country.” 

In line with the forward-thinking vision and mission at Leahy BTV, sustainability lies at the core of this new development. The design incorporates a myriad of elements aimed at minimizing environmental impact, reducing reliance on natural gas, and harnessing renewable energy sources for electricity generation. Sustainability and efficiency efforts in the design and construction of Project NexT include: 

• Net-Zero Energy: By harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar and geothermal power, the new building will reduce the environmental impact of airport operations by producing as much energy as it consumes with geothermal and solar technology. 

• Smart Infrastructure: Through the integration of cutting-edge technologies, Project NexT is optimizing efficiency. Smart sensors, data analytics, and AI-driven systems enable us to monitor energy and water usage, optimize traffic flow, and minimize waste. 

• Circular Economy Initiatives: Embracing the principles of the circular economy, Project NexT is implementing innovative strategies to minimize waste and maximize resources. From recycled building materials to closed-loop water systems, we are reimagining the way we design, build, and operate out Airport. 

This ambitious project is not just about accommodating larger aircraft and boosting passenger capacity; it's about ushering Leahy BTV into the future with modern amenities tailored to meet the demands of the next generation of travelers. The new design will support the growth of the airport and improve the traveler experience by: 

• Replacing the North Concourse, adding approximately 25,000 SF of new gross floor area on the second level; four (4) new aircraft gate replacements; four (4) new passenger boarding bridge replacements, and new space for passenger circulation; 

• Adding a third floor dedicated to office space, catering to airport administration needs, alongside a versatile public event and observation area. This space will boast both indoor event facilities and outdoor patio areas, offering a dynamic experience for visitors, guests, and events; 

• Shifting the new north concourse, the terminal expansion will be located 150'+ farther from Taxiway Alpha, thus improving airfield safety; 

• Expanding interior space designed according to FAA standards and provide room for passenger quantities and future forecast, which currently does not exist, for all of the aircraft sizes that use Leahy BTV. 

For more information about Project NexT and sustainability initiatives at Leahy BTV, please visit www.btv.aero/about-btv/sustainability.  

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Fossil Fuel Use in the Building Sector Down 19 percent with more than 2,300 heat pumps installed since 2018; New Electrification Incentives and Programs will Save Burlingtonians Money

Burlington, VT - Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger and Burlington Electric Department (BED) shared Burlington’s Net Zero Energy (NZE) Roadmap update for 2023 and announced exciting new programs and incentives to accelerate electrification. The update shows a significant overall decline of 18.2 percent in greenhouse gas emissions in the ground transportation and thermal sectors from 2018 to 2023, marking the second largest year-over-year drop in that period. The greatest change was in the building sector, with a 19 percent reduction in fossil fuel use since 2018.

“It has been five years since we announced the most ambitious climate policy of any City in America, our Net Zero Energy Road Map. Today’s report demonstrates that with pioneering policy and collective action across the community we can end our reliance on fossil fuels and save Vermont families and businesses money at the same time,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “This proves that that real climate progress is achievable for our City and State, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts that the programs we are announcing today will have for Burlington in the future.”

While in 2022 the City saw some post-pandemic rebound in fossil fuel use in buildings, the 2023 update marks a continuation of the broader trend toward emissions reduction. Natural gas consumption (not weather normalized) in 2023 was at its lowest point since NZE Roadmap tracking began with 2018 baseline data. Importantly, this update analyzes emissions through the end of 2023, and does not include impacts from Burlington’s recently enacted Carbon Pollution Impact Fee Ordinance or anticipated Vermont State rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act, which will drive further reductions in fossil fuel use.

“The Burlington Electric team is excited about the progress our City is making on our ambitious Net Zero Energy Roadmap goals, including the more than 18 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in buildings and ground transportation between 2018 and 2023,” said Darren Springer, General Manager of BED. “Some of the most recent actions our City has taken, including the enactment of the Carbon Pollution Impact Fee Ordinance, which just took effect in 2024, will help further reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years. With more work necessary to accelerate progress toward our climate goals, today we are announcing a number of new programs and incentives, including the first-in-the-nation utility ‘superuser’ incentive to help reduce gasoline consumption among drivers who put the most miles on their vehicles. We also are pleased to announce the Switch and Save program to help income-qualified customers switch from fossil fuel to heat pump water heaters, and the new heat pump bill credit pilot program to help customers save money on operating a heat pump, while enabling peak energy use reductions that benefit all customers.”

Decline in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ground Transportation and Thermal Sectors

Greenhouse gas emissions in the ground transportation and thermal sectors declined 18.2 percent in total, to 175,410 metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2023 compared to 214,568 metric tons in 2018. Natural Gas consumption in the building sector is down 19 percent while emissions from transportation remain below Roadmap targets, while new housing production is up 400% in Burlington since 2012.

The reductions in fossil fuel consumption can be attributed, in part, to the growing suite Net Zero Energy incentives offered by BED. Burlington has made significant progress on installing heat pumps, with over 2,300 installed in the City since the launch of the NZE Roadmap in September 2019, and a 25x participation increase in BED’s Tier 3 heat pump rebate program, which largely serves residential customers. Since launching its EV rebate program in 2017, BED has helped 721 Burlingtonians switch to electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, with over 20 percent of the rebates going to income-qualified customers. The Roadmap update shows there were 829 electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in Burlington as of the end of 2023.

Mayor Weinberger and BED announced significant set of new incentives and programs to accelerate progress toward Net Zero Energy during 2024 and beyond. New actions targeted at reducing emissions from the transportation sector include the new Super User Incentives, as well as improved electric bike, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and electric bus rebates. Two new programs, Switch and Save and a Heat Pump Bill Credit Pilot, are aimed at reducing thermal sector emissions in the future.

Superuser Incentive, E-Bike, EV Charging, and E-Bus Rebates

In 2023, BED specifically was authorized by the Vermont Legislature in Act 44 to develop a new, first-of-its-kind utility incentive to help drivers who drive the most miles switch to EVs and reduce their carbon footprint while saving on fuel costs. BED now is launching its “superuser” incentive, which provides up to $500 in rebates for qualified customers in addition to BED’s existing EV incentives, which now are up to $3,000. “Superuser” program rebates will provide an additional $250 for drivers who travel 17,700 miles annually (approximately double the Burlington average), and $500 for drivers who travel 25,300 miles annually (approximately triple the Burlington average).

The updated 2024 BED rebates also include:

• Increased E-bike rebate from $200 to $300;
• Increased workplace/retail Level 2 EV charger rebate from $2,000 to $2,500;
• New Level 2 EV charger rebate for workplace/retail locations in Justice40 locations of $3,250 (the Federal government has made it a goal that 40 percent of overall benefits, including certain climate and clean energy investments, flow to disadvantaged communities);
• Increased workplace Level 3 EV fast charger rebate from $10,000 to $15,000;
• Ride-share and delivery driver rebates for switching to an EV, ranging from $250 to $500; and
• Expected rebates for additional E-buses to support electric public transit.

"The data is clear that helping Vermonters who must drive the most get into EVs is an essential component of easing energy burdens and cutting carbon pollution as much as possible," said Ben Edgerly Walsh, climate and energy program director with VPIRG. "The kinds of incentives Burlington is rolling out today should be available in every corner of the country - certainly in every corner of Vermont - and we deeply appreciate Burlington's willingness to do more for its residents and the climate without waiting for others to go first."

“We applaud Mayor Weinberger, GM Darren Springer, and the team at Burlington Electric for adopting an incentive plan to help gasoline-burdened drivers who use more gasoline make the switch to EVs,” said Rob Sargent, Coltura Policy Director. “Electric utilities play a critical role in the shift away from fossil fuels used for transportation. We’re confident this first in the nation “Superuser” policy will be replicated across the country.”

Switch and Save Program

The Switch and Save program will help income-qualified customers switch from a fossil fuel or a less efficient electric water heater to a new heat pump water heater, saving money and reducing energy use. BED is working with affordable housing providers, including Champlain Housing Trust (CHT), to implement the program. Initially, BED will receive $400,000 from the state to support implementation, with potential for additional funds in the future. BED expects to help between 75 and 125 residential, income-qualified customers make the switch. Low-income households will receive 100 percent up to $5,000 of the installed costs of a new heat pump water heater, and moderate-income households will receive 90 percent up to $4,500. The statewide Switch and Save program is being administered by Efficiency Vermont.

Amy Demetrowitz, CHT Chief Operating Officer, said: “Champlain Housing Trust is always looking for ways to engage in programs that improve equity, and initiatives like Switch and Save exemplify our commitment to ensuring that all members of our community have access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions.”

“This technology is one of the best ways Vermonters can switch to a more efficient system for their home’s hot water needs,” said Peter Walke, Managing Director of Efficiency Vermont. “As this enhanced heat pump water heater offer becomes widely available in the coming weeks, more Vermonters will be able to consider this efficient and climate-friendly equipment.”

Heat Pump Bill Credit Pilot Program

BED was selected under the federal Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership (GRIP) competitive grant program for more than $1 million in funds that could support the heat pump bill credit pilot program device procurement, and other demand response initiatives, pending completion of necessary grant agreements and approvals.

The proposed program would create a new heat pump bill credit pilot program to provide participating customers with ductless mini-split heat pumps, which presents an opportunity to save on costs while helping BED reduce peak energy use.

New Public EV Chargers

A new Level 3 public fast charger soon will be available at the City’s Marketplace Garage, marking the second installation of a modern fast charger under BED’s Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond (the first is located at BED’s 585 Pine Street offices). Pending consideration by the Public Works Commission, BED plans to utilize a state grant to support installation of five new pole-mounted Level 2 EV chargers that can serve on-street parking spaces in areas of the City.

Five Years of Net Zero Energy Progress

With September 2024 marking the five-year anniversary of the launch of the Net Zero Energy Roadmap, the Mayor and BED also highlighted key actions and initiatives that have been adopted in Burlington with City Council and community support, including:

• Enacting rental weatherization standards;
• Enacting the primary renewable heating ordinance in 2021;
• Passing a Charter Change to provide Burlington unique municipal authority to take actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings;
• Enacting a first-of-its-kind in Vermont Carbon Impact Pollution Fee Ordinance for new construction and large existing buildings, making Burlington of the first city of its size and in a cold climate to enact a carbon fee;
• Electrifying the City vehicle fleet, including new vehicles, trucks, lawn equipment, and BED’s first-in-Vermont electric bucket truck for its line crew;
• Implementing and improving dozens of consumer incentive programs for electrification across all modes of transportation and for buildings;
• Partnering with VHFA to offer on-bill financing for income-qualified residents and renters to invest in weatherization and heat pumps;
• Developing the first-of-its-kind Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond, with investment in new modern EV fast chargers, grid infrastructure, and technology systems to enable innovative rate and program design;
• Partnering with CarShare Vermont to support more CarShare EVs and PHEVs, as well as charging parking spaces;
• Implementing the BED Energy Assistance Program to provide a 12.5 percent electric bill discount to income-qualified customers;
• Establishing BED’s EV rate, which provides residential customers the opportunity to charge EVs off-peak for the equivalent of approximately 75 cents per gallon of gasoline; and
• Working on the District Energy System that will improve efficiency at the McNeil Generating Station and reduce reliance on natural gas in the commercial sector by approximately 16 percent in Burlington.

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Burlington, Vt. – Today, Mayor Weinberger provided an update on recent initiatives to combat the drug crisis and announced that the City has seen its first sustained decrease in monthly overdoses since before the pandemic.

“As the state's largest city and a regional hub for health care, treatment, judicial, and social services, Burlington is at the center of the worsening drug crisis. In 2022 Vermont saw its deadliest year on record, and I feared we had lost our way. In Burlington, we redoubled our efforts and attacked this challenge in every way we can,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Now, we’re approaching six months of declining overdose numbers. We have much more work to do at all levels of government as the rate of overdose deaths in Vermont is unacceptable, and the ongoing community impacts of the drug crisis remain significant. However, I hope this positive trend provides hope to our community and inspires new, urgent actions from the state and federal governments who have far more authorities and resources for this fight than the City of Burlington can muster alone.”

From January 2021 to September 2023, monthly overdose responses from the Burlington Fire Department (BFD) have consistently increased year over year. They dropped from an all-time high of 67 in September 2023 to only 25 in October and have stayed at that level through February.

In October, following participation by Chief Michael LaChance and Burlington Fire Fighter Association President Kyle Blake in the Mayor’s monthly Community Stat meeting aimed at innovating and implementing effective responses to the drug crisis, the BFD launched the Community Response Team (CRT), a pilot program within the fire department that responds to overdoses and provides outreach to people at high risk of overdose. In the four months before Burlington launched its CRT, there were a total of 211 overdose responses by the Burlington Fire Department, in the four months since the launch that number dropped by more than half.

The CRT is just one new initiative to combat the drug crisis that Mayor Weinberger pushed for this year. In February, Burlington opened its low-barrier Elmwood Community Emergency Shelter, which takes a public health approach to ending homelessness. Then, amidst another grim and record-breaking summer for overdoses in Burlington and across Vermont, the Mayor funded the Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform’s new Re-entry and Recovery Center in Burlington using the City’s opioid settlement dollars.

In January, Mayor Weinberger called for numerous actions at the state level to expand access to treatment, and has since worked with the Howard Center for a plan to both extend hours at the Chittenden Clinic and to create a new methadone dosing location in Burlington. Methadone is a medication for opioid use disorder that is an effective treatment for fentanyl addiction. Methadone is heavily regulated by the federal government, and much harder for patients to access compared to other medications like buprenorphine.

Enforcement against traffickers remains a key component of addressing the drug problem in Burlington. Despite reduced numbers, the Burlington Police Department’s Drug Unit has continued to disrupt and dismantle drug organizations operating in the City. Recent operations by the Drug Unit with local and federal partner agencies have resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of bags of fentanyl, usually mixed with xylazine, as well as crack cocaine, firearms, and cash.

Services provided through the VCJR Re-Entry and Recover Center

Since opening in August of 2022, the City has remained the lead funder of the new center and VCJR has worked to expand the services available to justice involved community members and launched a Managed Medical Response Partnership program in collaboration with the Johnson Health Center. The program is designed to provide direct medical care and case management support for people experiencing serious wound infections, and who need medical care, mental health care, and medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). VCJR has served:

• Over 225 individuals total
• 80 individuals in the Contingency Management Drug treatment program
• 99 individuals in the Managed Medical Response Partnership program

Fentanyl and Xylazine Interdiction by the Burlington Police Department

In late 2021, the Burlington Police Department (BPD) Drug Unit began primarily focusing on interdicting xylazine-laced opiates, since investigators began hearing of a new drug supply coming from the Philadelphia area, and the harmful non-opioid tranquilizer was identified by labs in early 2022. Preliminary data from the Vermont Department of Health shows that in 2023 xylazine was detected in 68 out of 171 opioid overdose deaths (40%).

Frequently, organizations in Burlington connect to nearby “source cities” that supply our area with illegal drugs. While these organizations rely heavily on local community members, it is typically out-of-state members of the organization who oversee trafficking in the Burlington area. This was true of recent BPD Drug Unit operations:

• In September 2023, BPD investigators executed a Vermont State search warrant at a residence on North Champlain Street. The target of the investigation, Roosevelt Smith, was located within the apartment and arrested for multiple drug sale charges, Fentanyl Trafficking, Cocaine Trafficking, and Fentanyl Transportation into the State.
• In November 2023, following a months-long investigation, BPD officers executed a federal search warrant on Walnut Street. The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Vermont State Police assisted in the operation, ultimately seizing a total of 17,000 bags of fentanyl. Talbert Hill and Samuel Bennett, both of Philadelphia, were arrested and charged in federal court.
• In January 2024, BPD officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Saint Paul Street which yielded multiple firearms and evidence of drug distribution. Jahking Allah, of Quaker Hill, Connecticut, was taken into custody related to drug offenses.

Over the past few years there have also been more than a dozen federal convictions, thanks to the BPD’s tremendous partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, including recent sentencing announcements for older drug-related cases involving money laundering, hundreds of thousands of dollars seized, and multiple firearms recovered.

Success of the Community Response Team

In October 2023, the Burlington Fire Department (BFD) launched the pilot of the Community Response Team (CRT), which creates a triage-style system of care that better fits overdose responses and provides opportunities for proactive engagement with repeat and potential accidental overdose victims in a non-emergency setting. The CRT is comprised of two overtime BFD employees staffing a current department-owned vehicle and is funded by opioid settlement dollars. Current funding will support the pilot through June. The BFD continues to explore innovative tactics to reduce overdoses and promote treatment engagement, including plans to introduce prehospital initiation of buprenorphine for overdose victims revived in the community later this spring. Since launching in October of 2023, the CRT has:

• Had over 1,200 engagements with patients and community members
• Distributed 157 overdose kits (I.e. Narcan)
• Referred 25 individuals to bridge services providers
• Attended as the primary response unit on 184 medical incidents
• Staffed for an average of 58 hours per week, relying on BFD members to work an extra 116 hours of voluntary OT per week.

Initiatives to Expand Access to Methadone Treatment

Mayor Weinberger serves on the State’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, which last year recommended over $7 million in initiatives approved by the legislature and Governor last May, including $2 million for expanded access to methadone treatment. To date, none of the funds for methadone expansion have been deployed. Access to MOUD is a critical strategy to help reduce the alarming rate of opioid-related overdoses and deaths in our community, and methadone is an effective treatment for patients addicted to fentanyl. Since last spring, Mayor Weinberger has worked with leaders of the Howard Center and the Chittenden Clinic to identify a path to rapidly expand access to methadone in Burlington and Chittenden County, including by:

• Advocating for new funding for expanded hours at existing clinics for the FY25 appropriations of settlement funds
• Supporting an RFP by Howard Center submitted in January to create a dosing location in Burlington, the dosing location would:
  • Provide vital services, including medication administration and service coordination for people receiving MOUD
  • Be collocated with a federally qualified health center (FQHC), the Community Health Center (CHC) Safe Harbor site and facilitate greater access to primary care services, including wound care;
  • Create an opportunity to induct new individuals diagnosed with opioid used disorder onto MOUD;
  • Be in close proximity to the Turning Point Center, improving access to peer recovery services for patients.

Update on Elmwood Community Emergency Shelter

As part of the ten-point Action Plan to Fulfill Housing as a Human Right in Burlington from December of 2021, Mayor Weinberger set a goal of investing in a new temporary emergency shelter to advance a public health approach to ending homelessness, and in February of 2023 the City opened the Elmwood Emergency Shelter Community under the management of Champlain Housing Trust (CHT). Today, guests of the Elmwood Shelter continue to make strides with connection to supportive services including medical care, mental health care, substance use disorder treatment, work training and housing case management. Since opening, Elmwood has served:

• 77 individuals total, with 33 guests currently
• 41 individuals have accessed services at Elmwood or through referrals, including 11 for substance use disorder treatment
• 3 individuals have accessed permanent housing, and everyone is connected with housing navigation services following intake

For the first time, the City, instead of one of the local service non-profit agencies, operated the annual Winter Warming Shelter which between December 15 and now has served nearly 150 individual guests and provided over 1,300 bed nights total.  With support from the Vermont Department of Health, shelter staff have partnered with both the CRT and nurses from Community Health Centers to provide direct care and connection to treatment and harm reduction services at the City's three low-barrier shelters.

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The Burlington City Council Unanimously Approved Three Actions: Memorial Block Pre-Development Agreement, Pre-development Agreement for South End Coordinated Redevelopment, and a Slate of Budget and Contract Amendments to Enable Ongoing Construction of the Champlain Parkway

Burlington, VT – Tonight, Mayor Weinberger secured unanimous City Council approval to advance three priority projects that will support future growth and investment in Burlington and the creation of new housing, jobs, and improved transportation and public infrastructure for the future. At the regular meeting of the City Council, the body approved three separate actions a pre-development agreement for the Memorial Block, a pre-development for the coordinated redevelopment of 13 acres of surface parking lot in the newly created South End Innovation District, and a slate of budget and contract amendments which together enable ongoing design and construction of the Champlain Parkway.

“When I announced last fall that I would not seek re-election, I committed to running through the tape and getting as much done as possible in my final months,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “With these actions approved by the Council tonight, and with other recent headway made on Great Streets Main Street, CityPlace, Cambrian Rise, and to secure the future of the Air National Guard and BETA Technologies at the growing Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, I am confident that the future of Burlington will be brighter, stronger, and greener.

While still in their early stages, the redevelopment projects in the South End and on the Memorial Block will bring in millions in private investment, new public infrastructure, and thousands of units of needed housing, if realized. Construction of the Champlain Parkway is already well underway and will bring dramatic improvements to stormwater, connectivity, pedestrian, and cyclist safety, and will better support this growing and vibrant part of Burlington for years to come.

Memorial Block Pre-development Agreement

This pre-development agreement sets a schedule for the due diligence required to determine the feasibility and deal structure for a comprehensive redevelopment of this important part of Burlington’s downtown. The City has long held a vision for the redevelopment of this key gateway block, which will chart the direction for key capital activities in the downtown, activate underutilized properties, and address the City’s chronic housing shortage with a range of public benefits. At this time, the developers and the City anticipate that the redevelopment will include a mix of housing, hotel, and commercial uses, both indoor and outdoor civic space, and below-grade public parking to serve the block and surrounding area. The project is expected to include all of the parcels that have frontage on Main Street as well as the Central Fire Station and surface parking lots between the library and the church.

This agreement is a binding commitment on the City’s part to give the Developer the requisite time to investigate the property and propose a project that is responsive to the City’s needs. The work to follow includes public engagement and:

• Physical Due Diligence – including further evaluation of the feasibility of preserving and re-
  purposing portions of the Memorial Auditorium;
• Programmatic Due Diligence – including the development of a detailed program of uses and
  conceptual plans, market feasibility assessment, regulatory feasibility assessment, preliminary budget, and property appraisals;
• Developer Due Diligence – confirmation of capacity to implement the project;
• Central Fire Station Relocation Feasibility – including the exploration of a new public safety
  facility which is intended to meet the near- and long-term public safety needs of the City.

Background:

• In the summer of 2023, two local developers – Eric Farrell and Joe Larkin – gained site control of the three privately held parcels in the middle of the block and approached the Administration with a proposal to explore a partnership with the City on a redevelopment that would meet many of the community’s goals.
• The Administration brought this proposal to the City Council in the fall of 2023, outlining this opportunity for partnership with a local, experienced development and management team.
• In November 2023, the City Council passed a resolution supporting further exploration of this opportunity and authorizing the Mayor to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore the feasibility of entering into a development agreement.
• The Administration has set a goal to fulfill the pre-development agreement and return to the Council in December of 2024 with a determination of the viability of the project, with a potential Development Agreement to be negotiated and authorized by summer 2025.
   

Pre-development Agreement for the Coordinated Redevelopment of the South End

This action continues the collaborative work of the City, Ride Your Bike, LLC, and Champlain College for the redevelopment of an approximately 13-acre area within the newly created South End Innovation District. The coordinated redevelopment of this area provides a unique opportunity to build a new sustainable, walkable, mixed-income neighborhood with more than 1,000 new homes.

The Pre-Development Agreement identifies an agreed-upon set of foundational objectives and design goals for ongoing study and potential future collaboration over the next nine months. Based on the outcome of this work, the City could enter into a Development Agreement by the end of 2024. The agreement will support the creation of:

• a site-wide housing plan (with a minimum of 20% affordable housing);
• a public realm conceptual design;
• a joint PUD application;
• the study of the infrastructure challenges and opportunities on the site and immediate vicinity, as well as potential funding mechanisms.

Background:

In December 2021, Mayor Weinberger put forth a 10-point Action Plan to fulfill the promise of
Housing as a Human Right in Burlington which included a commitment to open new housing opportunities in the South End.

• On July 24, 2023, the City Council unanimously approved the South End Innovation District (SEID) zoning amendment, which was developed with the intent to promote a vibrant urban district with a mix of uses, including hundreds of new homes. The SEID covers 14 vacant or underutilized parcels, including the City-owned 68 Sears Lane parcel.
• In anticipation of the SEID, on January 31, 2023, the Administration entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the owners of land parcels neighboring the City-owned property in the South End: Champlain College, owners of 175 Lakeside Avenue, and Ride Your Bike, LLC, owners of 125 Lakeside Avenue.
• The MOU facilitated a conceptual design and framework for the coordinated redevelopment of the parcels, which includes 13 acres of surface parking lot. The three parties have been working together over the past year with funding from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission.

Budget and Contract Amendments for the Champlain Parkway

In April 2022, the Weinberger administration successfully secured approval for an initial construction contract to build the Champlain Parkway by a unanimous vote of the City Council. The more than $80 million project, when completed, will improve traffic circulation, alleviate overburdened roadways, protect Lake Champlain through enhanced stormwater management, and improve vehicular, bike, and pedestrian safety in the Southwest section of the City. Following 35 years in limbo, construction of the Champlain Parkway began in July 2022 and is moving ahead of schedule.

The slate of amendments to the current budget and contracts approved tonight will enable ongoing construction and design work, with a proposed work session for the council on the final construction contract planned for April- May 2024.

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Largest housing project in Burlington’s history with 316 new units already completed, another 251 new units on schedule for opening in 2024, and a total 1,050 units planned by 2029 

Burlington, Vt. – Today, Mayor Weinberger and Eric Farrell, Owner and Developer of Farrell Properties, signed an updated development agreement and provided an update on the Cambrian Rise housing development in Burlington’s North End. Cambrian Rise is the single largest housing development in Burlington and in Vermont. 

"In Burlington we rarely get to see a whole new neighborhood rise out of the ground, and it is extraordinary that this development includes not only hundreds of new market rate and affordable homes, but a vibrant new public park, community space, and more,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “The only way to end the current housing crisis is to build our way out of it. I am grateful to Eric Farrell and his team, and the many contractors, builders, and partners who are here every day turning this community vision into a reality.”  

The Cambrian Rise site is currently permitted for 950 units of housing in 14 buildings, the new development agreement removes the 950-unit cap, and now 1,050 units are anticipated. Already, 316 units have been completed (including 128 inclusionary housing units) and 251 units are under construction. Full build-out of the site is anticipated for 2029, and Farrell anticipates the negotiated greenway connection to be constructed later this year. 

 “Cambrian Rise is already a dynamic new mixed-income, mixed-use, inclusive, pet-friendly neighborhood where our residents can live, work, grow and play on the shores of Lake Champlain,” said developer Eric Farrell, “And, we’re not done yet! We continue to work with the City on our plans for future buildings on site and even more amenities so that hundreds more Burlingtonians can call Cambrian Rise home.” 

About Cambrian Rise  

Cambrian Rise is a permitted multiphase development of a new neighborhood across approximately 21.65 acres. The project is located on North Ave alongside Lake Champlain, the site of the former St. Joseph’s Orphanage , and is an area long targeted by the City for intensified development. The Neighborhood Activity Center (NAC) – Cambrian Rise (CR) District is a zoning designation for mixed-use development that allows for a range of housing types and tenures, and accommodates a diverse range of complimentary general office, institutional and neighborhood-oriented, small-scale retail service uses.  

Completed buildings at Cambrian Rise include:  

• The Rise: 105 apartments and 10,000 sq ft of commercial space  

• Liberty House: 64 apartments and one condominium in the renovated historic building 

• Juniper House: 70 affordable apartments for adults over 55 years old, developed by Cathedral Square 

• Laurentide: 76 affordable apartments developed by Champlain Housing Trust  

Sunset House, currently under construction, will be completed in June and includes 134 apartments, plus generous common amenity spaces, including a co-working Library, Club Room, Fitness Center, Bicycle Repair Shop, bicycle and kayak/canoe storage and a Pet Wash Station. 

Also under construction is One25, a 117-unit building being developed by Scott Ireland, scheduled for completion this Fall. One25 will offer both apartments and homeownership units. 

Connection to Burlington Greenway, Red Stone Cottage and Kieslich Park  

In October 2021, Mayor Weinberger announced the name of Burlington’s newest park, Kieslich Park, and plans to renovate the now-completed Red Stone Cottage which houses the City’s conservation team and programs.  

The original Cambrian Rise development agreement secured 12 acres of conserved waterfront land and connection to the Waterfront and Greenway, preserving 43% of the original property for open space, protecting it from future development. The $2 million purchase price of the land, after Burlington College closed, was made possible with the use of several funding sources including: the Burlington Conservation Legacy Fund, Vermont Housing and Conservation Fund, the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program, and private donations from John Hoehl and family, facilitated with significant support from the Vermont Land Trust, Champlain Housing Trust, and the Parks Foundation of Burlington. 

Today, the park is a hub of activity and home to the Lakeview Community Garden and Red Stone Cottage. The original cottage was designed by architect Frank Lyman Austin for Dr. Walker D Berry and was constructed of local redstone and surrounded by porches. Recently completed renovations to the building designed by architect Jay White, created space for public use, including meeting rooms, public computer access, restrooms, and nature-focused education programs, and restored some of the porches and created a glass-walled walkway linking the old and new parts of the building. The Red Stone Cottage, is currently used as office space for the Conservation Team.  

In the original Development Agreement, Cambrian Rise developers are responsible for constructing a public and ADA accessible connection path between Cambrian Rise and the Burlington Greenway. In August of 2020, the City negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement, to clearly obligate the path be built based on the City’s 30% conceptual design drawings, and in this Second Amendment to the Development Agreement, construction of this important connection is anticipated by the end of this year. 

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South Building is now the tallest building structure in Vermont; Program for entire 740,000 sf block is finalized and permitted; New minority partner Giri Group now on board bringing capital and extensive hotel experience to local partnership 

Burlington, Vt. – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger and CityPlace Partners announced recent progress and next steps at the CityPlace mixed-use housing development in downtown Burlington. After 15 Months of construction, the South Building is “topped out” at 10 stories, will be the tallest building in Vermont when complete, and is on track for completion in one year.  Further, CityPlace Partners have finalized their building program for the entire site and last week received a permit amendment from the Department of Permitting and Inspection allowing for a minimum of 350 residential units including 70 permanently affordable units (approximately 340,000 sf), a maximum of 350 hotel rooms in two separate hotels (approximately 186,000 sf), 40,000 sf of retail, and 172,000 sf of parking. CityPlace Partners (CPP) also announced a new minority equity partner Giri Group, a well-capitalized developer headquartered in Massachusetts that will operate the two hotels. 

“About a decade ago, we set out as a community to do something hard: to take control of our future. We decided to correct old mistakes and fix a long-broken part of our downtown, to turn a community planning vision into reality, and to make it possible for hundreds of new people to live and work in this great, but small city,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Today, after years of hard work, adversity, and perseverance, we can finally say with confidence that this daring and worthy effort will succeed. The South Tower at CityPlace is the largest building ever constructed in this state, and one year from now hundreds of Burlingtonians, workers, and visitors will be passing through the front doors.” 

“Once the site of a failing suburban mall, the CityPlace project is now a bustling construction site spanning an entire city block. We have completed much of the foundation for both the North and South Tower of Cityplace and have recently completed the steel frame and concrete slab floors for all of the South Tower, and now completing the exterior wall constructions and sheathing – the building will be complete by the end of March, "said local partner Dave Farrington. “The construction success that you have seen in the past 12 months is attributed to the hard work and dedication of the subcontractors and design consultants that have been working on this exciting but very difficult job.” 

At the next City Council meeting, the Mayor will seek approval for amendments to the existing development agreement between the City of Burlington and CPP to enable the new building program announced today.  

Changes Enabled by the new amendments to the Development Agreement (ARDA 2.0) 

• In December, the Mayor announced, and the council approved, $1.9 million in ARPA funds for two new Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) affordable housing projects in Burlington, including new homeownership opportunities at Cambrian Rise. CHT has withdrawn from the CityPlace project, and the CPP intend to build the integrated affordable on-site without local or federal subsidy.  
• The new building program continues to provide a substantial number of residential housing units (at least 350 including at least 70 permanently affordable units). This remains a far stronger residential program than the ~ 272 units envisioned with the original CityPlace Development Agreement (October 2017).
• Hotel Rooms are smaller than residential units, so more Hotel Rooms can be provided with only a fractional reduction in housing. Further, changes to how the developers will deliver renewably powered in-unit heating and cooling technologies has expanded the developable square footage within the project, allowing for the expanded number of hotel rooms without a significant reduction in housing units.  
• Allowing these changes enables The Giri Group’s participation as a minority partner, strengthening the finances of the over $200 million private development and increasing the likelihood it will continue to completion without delay. 
• The amendments will also reflect a clarification that the planned community space may be provided in multiple meeting room spaces shared with and likely managed by the hotels, with the permanent public rights to the use of the space stewarded by CEDO to allow greater flexibility for public users. 
• CPP expects to South Tower in the first quarter of 2025, and they expect to complete the North Tower no later than the end of the second quarter of 2026. The amendments would extend the outside date with respect to the North Tower from November 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, which is within the current ARDA 2.0 timeline anticipated for final completion of the entire project.  

About CityPlace Partner Giri Group  

CityPlace partners are excited to announce a strategic collaboration with Giri Group, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, as a Limited Partner in CityPlace. The collaborative efforts of Giri Group and the local partners, Dave Farrington, Scott Ireland, and Al Senecal, reflect a shared vision for excellence in development. Giri Group brings an extensive track record of successful development projects across New England and shares CityPlace Partners’ excitement for the transformative journey of rejuvenating the old Burlington Mall into a cutting-edge city block.  

Local partner Scott Ireland emphasized that the partnership with Giri Group was rooted in their like-minded approach to doing business. Like the local partners, Giri Group manages all of their own projects, performing as much of the work as possible on their own to meet budget and maintain timelines and quality control. 

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