The Community & Economic Development Office and the Department of Public Works are working with Resource Systems Group on the Waterfront Access North transportation improvement project. This is the second phase of a larger waterfront design project. The first phase, including the reconstruction of lower College Street, reconfiguration of the Pease parking lot, and construction of a new information building with public bathrooms, is now complete.
The Waterfront Access North project involves rebuilding the end of Lake Street, realigning and upgrading portions of the bike path, brownfield remediation, utility undergrounding, new skatepark, sidewalks, plantings, and 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 will be repaid with TIF revenue and will 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 Waterfront Access North (WAN) project has begun construction activities for 2015. S. D. Ireland is the general contractor and all of the work will take place north of Waterfront Park and west of the railroad tracks. The contractor will be working Monday through Saturday. The project is anticipated to be complete by December 1, 2015, however, anticipated construction activities are subject to change without notice due to weather or project need.
The City sends out periodic updates on the project through an email bulletin. This bulletin is intended to provide information about relevant aspects of the Waterfront Access North construction project. Updated bulletins will be sent as project developments occur – and will try to convey anticipated construction activities for the following week. If you would like to receive this bulletin, please email kmerriman@burlingtonvt.gov with the subject of – Please add to WAN Bulletin – you will be added to the distribution list.
