FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia
                (802) 734-0617

Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Re-Opening of Barge Canal Section of the Burlington Bike Path

Section features some of the most dramatic improvements of the entire Bike Path rehabilitation project; Seven miles of the eight mile path now fully rehabilitated

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the opening of the Bike Path from Oakledge Park to Roundhouse Park, reconnecting the South End to the downtown. This completed section features significant improvements to path width and safety, and with its reopening, the City has now completed seven of the eight miles of the multi-year Bike Path rehabilitation project.

“Even as the City is focused on our response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we also continue to advance projects that ensure that we will be a stronger community on the other side of this,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “This re-opened section of the Bike Path is a dramatic improvement that will make it easier, safer, and more enjoyable for Burlingtonians to travel along the Bike Path from downtown to the South End. The Burlington Bike Path is both critical infrastructure and beloved part of the heart of our city, with this section, we’re continuing our work to restore, upgrade, and steward it for all Burlingtonians to enjoy.”

This section of the Bike Path crosses the Barge Canal in the South End, and improving it posed one of the greatest technical challenges of the entire path. In order to address the chronic problems of exposure to waves and wind, frequent deterioration, and crowding, the rehabilitation widened the path from a mere eight feet to the standard 15 feet of other sections of the Path. The rehabilitation also included creating a “revetment” wall alongside the path, built with boulders specifically designed to absorb wave action and prevent icing and wear on the path.

The reopening of this section follows a delay after the “Halloween Storm” of October 31, 2019 poured 3.3 inches of rain in Burlington, increased the level of Lake Champlain by two feet, and brought work on constructing the revetment to an abrupt halt, which prolonged a detour of the Path onto Pine Street. Fortunately, low levels of precipitation this winter and spring allowed the project team to progress quickly once they were able to restart work.

“The 1,000-foot stretch of Path along the Barge Canal was previously a narrow and occasionally treacherous section bombarded by waves, ice, blowing sand, and snow,” said Cindi Wight, Director of Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront. “Now, this section is completely rebuilt with accessibility, safety, resilience, increased recreation opportunities, and reduced maintenance costs in mind. Thank you to all of our many partners in this project, including federal agencies, State partners, land owners, City departments, and the designers and work crews who worked through challenging weather and the pandemic to bring this project to completion.”

“I’m thrilled to see this section of the Greenway reopen, and very excited to make use of it in the 2021 Vermont City Marathon,” said Peter Delaney, Director of Run Vermont. “Most years, we chose to avoid these specific sections for safety reasons. Now, without hesitation, we can route our race through the most beautiful and striking sections of the Burlington Greenway.”

Throughout the Bike Path rehabilitation, the City has implemented improved standards that include safer alignment, extra width, accessible grade, smoother and more consistent paving, a shoulder for running and walking on both sides of the pavement, and pause places that create space for people to stop and enjoy. This latest phase is funded through the City’s Capital Budget, Penny for Parks, and philanthropic contributions from the Parks Foundation of Burlington.

Along with the Barge Canal, other improvements to this section have included, from north to south:

• A wider path with increased visibility and maneuverability from the HULA property to Lakeside Avenue, thanks to close collaboration with HULA;
• Connecting the Path to the sidewalk at Harrison Avenue and smoothing out grades at the intersection with the street;
• Paving a small section from the Oakledge bridge to Proctor Avenue, which links the Lakeside neighborhood with Oakledge Park; and
• Rebuilding the Path through the northern portion of Oakledge Park, widening this often-crowded part of the Path to the standard 15 feet and introducing inviting, expansive, and accessible seating areas with view across Lake Champlain.

The Bike Path is now open for use throughout its length, including the section from Perkins Pier into Oakledge Park.

Finishing the Rehabilitation of the Bike Path

The reopening of this section of the Bike Path caps a year of work that included both off-road and on-road improvements from Queen City Park Road to Home Avenue, Proctor Place to Harrison Avenue, and through the Barge Canal and Roundhouse Park to Perkins Pier. This latest phase followed years of work to steward and upgrade the northern sections of the path from Perkins Pier north to the Winooski River Bridge.

Now, the City is working on Phase 3b of the Bike Path rehabilitation, which focuses on the Path through Oakledge Park. This work is expected to start in June 2021, and has been coordinated to allow maximum use of Blanchard Beach through the summer. The work will include improving beach access, realigning the path through Oakledge Park to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and improving circulation at Flynn Avenue. The project team is on track to complete the reconstruction of the entire eight miles of the Bike Path in the fall of 2021.

Background: Bike Path Rehabilitation Is Result of Years of Planning, Effort, and Generosity

The rehabilitation of the entire Burlington Bike Path is a multi-year project estimated to cost a total of $16.5 million. Phase 1a encompassed the segment from Perkins Pier to Penny Lane, and was completed in summer of 2015. Phase 1b picked up from Penny Lane, realigned the path through the Urban Reserve and added a new pause place, lookout, and three new UVM Medical Center Fitness Stations. Phase 2 covered just over 3 miles of full reconstruction from north of the North Beach overpass to the intersection of North Avenue Extension, and additional paving from North Avenue Extension to the Winooski River Bridge. Each phase has enhanced safety, ecological function, and connectivity, transforming the Bike Path into a linear system of parks.

The effort to rehabilitate the Burlington Bike Path began in 2010 with the convening of the Bike Path Task Force, which recommended a $12-16 million enhancement to bring the Bike Path up to modern standards. Following significant flood damage in April 2011, in November 2012, Burlington voters approved two significant ballot items put forward by Mayor Weinberger in his first months in office to fund the improvement and maintenance of the Bike Path, and also supported ongoing investment in infrastructure through Mayor Weinberger’s approximately $50 million Sustainable Infrastructure Plan in 2016, the most comprehensive infrastructure effort in modern Burlington history. Reinvestment in the Bike Path has also been made possible by the Parks Foundation of Burlington, which has raised over $1 million to supplement public investment in the Bike Path.

To follow the latest information about closures and construction progress, please see:

• “Burlington Greenway Updates”

For more information about the work to rehabilitate the Bike Path, please see:

• “Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Opening of New Segment of South End Bike Path Rehabilitation,” August 2020
• “Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Groundbreaking on Next Phase of Bike Path Rehabilitation,” June 2019
• “Mayor Weinberger Reopens the Entire Northern Bike Path,” December 2017
• “Next Phase of Bike Path Rehabilitation Breaks Ground,” June 2016
• “Governor Shumlin, Speaker Smith, Mayor Weinberger, Bike Path Stakeholders Break Ground on Enhanced, Expanded Bike Path Construction,” October 2014
• “Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Next Steps for Bike Path Enhancements and Expansion,” May 2013
• “Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Bike Path Repair Progress and Schedule,” May 2012

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia
(802) 734-0617

Mayor Miro Weinberger and Local Leaders Encourage Safe Participation in Local Economy this Holiday Season

Burlington, VT – Burlington's locally owned businesses face an existential threat as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger and local leaders urged Burlingtonians who are able to to participate in the local economic recovery from Covid-19, and consider ways to safely patronize the downtown stores and restaurants during the holiday season.

“The public health crisis of this pandemic remains our top priority,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “At the same time, I am gravely concerned about the accompanying economic crisis that has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of so many. I will continue to call for the federal aid that is critically necessary. I also want to urge Burlingtonians to meaningfully contribute to our recovery by seeking out local businesses for safe shopping and dining options. Our locally owned businesses and the people who they employ are an important part of what makes us a vibrant, healthy, and distinctive community, and I encourage everyone to consider ways to help them get through this challenging time.”

There are three key ways to safely support Burlington businesses:

• In-person shopping: Many businesses remain open for carefully regulated in-person shopping, with capacity limits, face coverings, and other precautions in place in line with the Governor’s orders.
• Takeout, curbside pickup, and home delivery: Burlington businesses have used the last nine months to transform their offerings and expand alternatives to in-person shopping, and many now offer takeout, curbside pickup, and home delivery. The City has created a website at www.loveburlington.org, updated daily, that allows people to filter by a range of pickup and delivery options, business characteristics, and other criteria.
• Winter markets: The City has organized three upcoming winter markets to create a space to showcase local artists’ and businesses’ wares in a safe outdoor setting. The markets will take place in City Hall Park and will be run will strict health and safety protocols in place, including one-directional traffic, capacity limits, booths spaced six feet apart, and two people per booth at a time. Vendors will stay warm in open-air booths designed and installed by Generator and BCA, with support from Northfield Savings Bank. Learn more about the markets at the links below:
  • December 5-6: BCA Holiday Artist Market
  • December 9-13: Love Burlington Winter Market
  • December 16-20: Love Burlington Winter Market

This holiday season, the City and businesses also have reimagined the attractions on Church Street. Those looking for activities to do with their household can mail letters to Santa via the magical North Pole mailboxes in two location on Church Street, enjoy the holiday window contest, and visit the Top Block Christmas Tree and lights.

Burlington’s locally owned businesses, from the downtown to neighborhood corridors, are treasures of the city. They provide livelihoods for many residents of Burlington, give the city an important part of its distinctive character, offer unique and personal goods and services, and multiply the local impact of every dollar they earn by recirculating it to other locally owned businesses. On Church Street alone, seventy percent of the stores and restaurants are locally owned. These businesses that are owned by and employ many in our community need the support of the entire region during this challenging time.

At a small, outdoor press conference in City Hall Park, Mayor Weinberger was joined by Kara Alnasrawi, the City’s Director of the Church Street Marketplace and Director of Business Support; Doreen Kraft, Director of Burlington City Arts; Mark Bouchette, owner of Homeport; and Chiuho Sampson, owner of A Single Pebble.

"It is so important to remember that these business owners and their employees are our neighbors and friends,” said Kara Alnasrawi, the City’s Director of the Church Street Marketplace and Director of Business Support. “Our economy is driven by us, which means that we can save our community and ensure that it remains vibrant and healthy long after this pandemic is over. These next few weeks are a crucial time for our local businesses. There are safe and contactless ways to support our local economy and I urge all in Burlington and our surrounding communities to take advantage of them.”

 “Vermont artists, makers, and small businesses are among those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Doreen Kraft. “These painters, woodworkers, potters, and designers need our support now more than ever. I am so thrilled that the BCA Holiday Artist Market and Love Burlington Winter Markets can provide a safe, creative way for them to reach customers during a challenging holiday season. These artists and businesses represent the backbone of Vermont's creative economy; if we want them to be there for us later, we need to be there for them now.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia
                (802) 734-0617

Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Findings from First Covid-19 Wastewater Monitoring Reading Following Thanksgiving Holiday and Calls for Community Action

Burlington, VT – On Wednesday evening, the City received its first readings from the Covid-19 Wastewater Monitoring Program since the Thanksgiving holiday. The readings show a major increase in the marker of Covid-19 in wastewater across the city, indicating significantly higher prevalence of the virus in Burlington.

It is important to note that the readings are based on only one sampling at each of the City’s three wastewater treatment plants after Thanksgiving. Additional sampling will be conducted in coming days to confirm the readings. However, given the potential consequence of the elevated levels that the readings show and the fact that all three plants are indicating the same significant upward trend, the City is releasing this information to the public now.

“The days matter in our response to this pandemic,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “That’s why we’re releasing these initial readings from our wastewater monitoring program today. I hope that all Burlingtonians will look at this graph and see what I see: a call to action. We must remember that it’s in our collective power to bring this surge back down. We need everyone to cease social gatherings outside of your household and to get tested if you have participated in a social gathering over the last week.”

Wastewater surveillance for Covid-19 is a leading indicator, and increased levels of Covid-19 RNA can show up in wastewater monitoring up to seven days earlier than testing results. Learn more about the City’s wastewater monitoring program.

As case numbers have grown in recent weeks, the State and the City have been intently focused on expanding testing availability. There are now multiple ways for people to get tested:

• 405 Pine Street: Free tests every day from noon-8:00 pm through December. More than 250 tests per day. Register on Department of Health website.
• 294 N Winooski: Free pop-up testing on Friday, Dec. 11 and Friday, Dec. 18. Register on Department of Health website in coming days.
• UVM students and staff: UVM will be continuing to offer free weekly testing to all UVM students, faculty, and staff who remain in Burlington during their winter break. See more.
• Other: Other testing is available at Garnet Health at the Airport, at many pharmacies, and at other State testing locations in surrounding communities. Please note that some of these additional locations may have a charge and insurance reimbursement may vary. See details on Department of Health website.

“Though these numbers suggest that the weeks ahead may be tough ones, the vaccine coming means that there’s a light at the end of this tunnel," said Mayor Weinberger. “This pandemic won’t last forever – but we need to come together for a final push to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia
                (802) 734-0617

Mayor Weinberger Announces Support for Divesting City of Burlington from Fossil Fuel Companies

Burlington, VT – At tonight’s City Council meeting, the Council will consider a resolution requesting that the City divest from fossil fuel companies. In response, Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement:

“It is time for the City of Burlington to join the growing number of cities around the world that are fully divesting from fossil fuel companies. I support Councilor Jane Stromberg’s resolution before the City Council tonight that would initiate that process, and look forward to working with the Board of the Burlington Employee Retirement System (BERS) and the City Council to see it implemented.

“In recent years, my Administration has worked both to stabilize the City’s finances and lead the nation in responding to the climate crisis at the local level. We’ve seen that, increasingly, investments in climate mitigation and resiliency aren’t just the right thing to do – they also make good economic sense in both the short- and long-term.

“As we examine divestment, it is critical that we also carefully steward the retirement savings of employees who have dedicated their careers to serving the City of Burlington. The good news is that it has become empirically clear that it is possible to pursue divestment without sacrificing returns or our low-cost, passive investment strategy. Even further, a growing number of investment professionals are coming to see investments in fossil fuel companies as carrying greater risk. As the Mayors Innovation Project puts it, ‘we shouldn’t be funding our retirement by investing in companies whose operations ensure we won’t have a safe planet to retire on.’

“I am appreciative of Councilor Stromberg’s leadership in bringing this item forward, and her collaboration with the Administration throughout this process. Thank you also to Councilor Karen Paul for her hard work to ensure a strong and prudent resolution. ”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia
                (802) 734-0617

Mayor Weinberger Announces that the City Will Open New Pop-Up Testing This Week in the New North End

Burlington, VT – Today, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced that the City will offer free Covid-19 testing on Thursday and Friday at the Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center in the New North End. Wastewater monitoring in that part of the City has indicated that Covid-19 may be on the rise, and wastewater detection of the virus can occur as much as 3-7 days before increased prevalence becomes apparent through positive tests.

“With the support of the Vermont Department of Health and in partnership with Garnet Health, we’re taking this step in order to increase access to testing for residents in the New North End,” said Mayor Weinberger. “We are committed to doing everything we can as a city to supplement the State’s total testing capacity amidst the recent increases of Covid-19 in Vermont.”

Testing is free to the public. Reservations are required and are available through Garnet Health at this link, which is separate from the Department of Health’s system. The testing at the Miller Center is intended for people who live or work in the New North End. Please check the Health Department website for information about additional testing options.

“The results from the wastewater monitoring are an early indicator that cases of Covid-19 in our community may be increasing,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Consistent with new State guidance announced Sunday, I encourage Burlingtonians to consider getting tested if you live in the New North End and have recently traveled, expanded your social circle to include new people, or participated in gatherings in the days immediately before or since Halloween. If you have symptoms, you should call your primary care provider to be scheduled for testing.”

The City also has worked with Garnet Health to establish both rapid and traditional Covid-19 testing options at the Burlington International Airport. The tests available at the Miller Center pop-up site will be the traditional PCR tests. The City will cover the cost of this testing using emergency funds authorized by the City Council in March, and will explore options for reimbursement.

“Thank you to the City team, the Vermont Department of Health, and Garnet Health for working with urgency to make this new testing option available to the people of Burlington,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Launching this new capacity so quickly has required a cross-departmental team that includes everyone from our Airport, to the Parks Department providing the facility, to the Fire Department providing a generator, and I am grateful.

“I once again urge all Burlingtonians to take action to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their neighbors by bringing this current growth in local infections under control. Now is a time to avoid high-risk activities, and to follow the Department of Health’s new guidance on social gatherings, travel, and testing, and remember the principles of ‘masks on faces, six-foot spaces, and uncrowded places.’ As in earlier stages of this pandemic, we can keep the spread of the virus in check if we work together and exercise vigilance. “

Pop-Up Testing Details:

When: Thursday 1:00-4:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Where: Miller Center, 130 Gosse Court, Burlington

How: Reservations are required (no walk-ins). Reservations are available through Garnet Health at this link: https://phreesia.me/MillerCenterPopUp

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Meeting Date: April 11th, 2022 05:30 

Agenda

Minutes (Draft)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2020
Contact: Jordan Redell
                (802) 503-7664
 

Reparations Task Force to Hold First Meeting

Burlington, VT – Mayor Weinberger has called the first meeting of the Reparations Task Force, which will take place today, November 11, at 5:00 pm. Information about the virtual meeting and the agenda can be found here.

Members of the Task Force are:

• Pablo Bose, Professor of Geography at the University of Vermont
• Hal Colston, State Representative, Director of Partnership for Change
• Tyeastia Green, City of Burlington Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Christine Hughes, New Seasons Vermont and Racial Justice Alliance
• Rebecca Zietlow, Professor of Law and Values at the University of Toledo College of Law

“I am proud that Burlington is the first City in the country to examine and account for the role it has played in the foundational injustice of chattel slavery and the responsibility of repairing its harm,” said Mayor Weinberger. “A shameful chapter of the long, terrible history of slavery and its aftermath is that for over 30 years, Congress has refused to even study the possibility of reparations, despite annual resolutions calling for that examination.

“As reported this week in the New York Times story about new details of Alexander Hamilton’s history with slavery, very little is known about slavery in northern states. My hope for this Task Force is that it will begin to reveal and bring to light inaccuracies in the way we have understood Vermont’s relationship to slavery and this part of American history.

“While I don’t know where this study will take us, because the City’s role in the institution of slavery and what is right for us to do in response is not yet clear, I do know that we will never fully realize the ideals of our country until the issue of reparations is fully addressed. The formation of this task force is an important step toward that crucial goal.”            

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia, Mayor’s Office
                (802) 734-0617

              HUD Public Affairs
              (607) 994-8355

Mayor Miro Weinberger and HUD Announce Award of More Than $3.6 Million to Burlington Lead Program

The award will protect Vermont families from lead and other home health and safety hazards, and make low-income families’ homes safer and healthier

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that HUD has awarded more than $3.6 million to the City of Burlington to help protect low-income children and families from lead-based paint and home health hazards. The announcement took place at a home that is enrolled in the Burlington Lead Program.

With this funding, the City’s Burlington Lead Program will be able to address lead hazards in 110 homes that are occupied by low- and very low-income families with children. The program also will use this funding to conduct education, outreach, workforce development, and capacity-building within Burlington and Winooski, and leverage local resources to further protect the community from lead poisoning.

“All Burlington families deserve homes that are safe, healthy, and affordable,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Our Burlington Lead Program is a critical part of the City’s work to make that vision of a reality, and this award means that that work will continue. With this funding, the lead program team will keep working to prevent childhood lead poisoning, and also expand the scope of our program to address other housing safety and health issues faced by the most vulnerable members of our community. I am grateful to HUD for this award, to Vermont’s federal delegation for their support, and to CEDO and our Burlington Lead Program team for creating safer homes for Burlington families.”

“A healthy start at home translates to a successful life outside of the home,” said David Tille, HUD New England Regional Administrator.  “We congratulate Mayor Weinberger and his team for their outstanding work to eradicate lead paint in Burlington homes. HUD is proud to be your partner in making Burlington homes safe for families and their kids.”

“Lead paint is a dangerous and invisible toxin that often hits us where we live: in our homes," said Senator Patrick Leahy. "I’ve been glad to partner with Burlington and other communities to make lead removal a priority.  With the hard work of organizations like the Burlington Lead Program, its risk to children and families can be avoided.  During this pandemic, we all are spending more time at home. Vermont has one of the oldest housing stocks in the country, and this funding is more important than ever to help ensure that people living in housing built before 1978 stay safe and healthy.”

“Burlington is full of historic homes with character, but every resident deserves to know that their house is safe from poisonous chemicals like lead that have not been used for many years,” said Congressman Peter Welch. “This award is wonderful news for the Burlington Lead Program to continue their mission of protecting families and children from exposure to lead in their homes.”

“Lead dust is invisible and causes the most harm in children’s growing bodies,” said Margaret Williams, Coordinator of the Burlington Lead Program. “Our program works to keep children safe from hazards that may be in their home by replacing windows, stabilizing paint, and other needed treatments. I invite members of the community to reach out to the Burlington Lead Program with any questions or concerns about home hazards, and our program currently is accepting applications.”

Funding Breakdown

The funding is made up of $3,093,992 from the Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction (LBPHR) Grant Program and $530,000 in Healthy Homes Supplemental Funding, and is part of HUD awards of $165 million across 44 state and local government agencies in 23 states, which will improve over 14,000 homes. The LBPHR program is designed to identify and clean up dangerous lead in low-income families’ homes, and the Healthy Homes Supplemental Funding is designed to help communities with housing-related health and safety hazards in addition to lead-based paint hazards.

The following is a breakdown of the funding announced today:

About the Burlington Lead Program

The Burlington Lead Program is part of the City’s Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), and was founded in 2003 with its first Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant from HUD. In the years since, the program has demonstrated a track record of high performance and innovative practice, receiving national awards, expanding its reach to neighboring Winooski, and helping to develop a culture of lead safety in Burlington. Over that time, the Burlington Lead Program has reduced lead hazards in 675 homes, completed evaluations in 889 homes, and been awarded over $13 million to address lead and other hazards in Burlington and Winooski homes.

The Burlington Lead Program works with property owners to reduce lead-based paint hazards at homes built prior to 1978 where the occupants earn less than 80 percent of the median income for Burlington, and also provides technical assistance and other free community resources to reduce lead poisoning and create safer and healthier homes. The most common ways to reduce lead hazards in people’s homes include in-kind window replacement, interior paint stabilization, and exterior stabilization and repainting.  Learn more at www.burlingtonvt.gov/blp or call 802-865-LEAD (5323). The program is currently accepting applications for single-family homes and rental properties.

About HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes

HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes promotes local efforts to eliminate dangerous lead paint and other housing-related health hazards from lower-income homes; stimulates private sector investment in lead hazard control; supports cutting-edge research on methods for assessing and controlling housing-related health and safety hazards; and educates the public about the dangers of hazards in the home. Read a complete project-by-project summary of the programs awarded grants today.  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia
                (802) 734-0617

Mayor Weinberger Updates His Call for Vigilance in Response to Rising Case Growth in Chittenden County

Burlington, VT – As Covid-19 cases remain high in Burlington and Chittenden County, Mayor Miro Weinberger today extended his call for Burlingtonians to exercise extra caution and shared key updates.

“Since Friday we have seen even more indications of elevated virus risk right now in Burlington and throughout much of Vermont,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger.  “Now is a time to avoid high-risk activities, and to follow the Department of Health’s new guidance on social gatherings and testing. As in earlier stages of this pandemic, we can keep the spread of the virus in check if we work together and exercise vigilance.”

Mayor Weinberger also shared the following key updates:

• Limit gatherings: The Vermont Department of Health continues to strongly encourage all Vermonters to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer people and with a very limited number of trusted households, and avoid unnecessary travel.
• New guidance: On Sunday evening, the Vermont Department of Health also issued new guidance that all Burlingtonians should be aware of, including: “If you have attended an event with people who are not in your usual social circle, please avoid close contact with others and consider obtaining a test now as well as 7 days after the event or gathering.”
• Increased risk in New North End: The City’s wastewater monitoring program is now detecting an increase of prevalence of Covid-19 in the New North End. This is an early sign of elevated risk, and if we act together now we can limit the spread of the virus. Our community is small and interconnected, which means that the entire City should be aware of this elevated risk. At the same time, the City is urging all New North End residents in particular to limit gathering sizes, contact your primary care provider if you have symptoms, and seek testing if you have returned from travel or seen people outside your normal social circle since the days around Halloween. The City is installing two variable message signs on North Avenue to further amplify the need for caution.
• Testing: The City is working closely with the Vermont Department of Health to evaluate potential new pop-up testing sites in the coming days. Look out for additional information as it becomes available. For now, Burlingtonians can see options for testing at: healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing. Burlingtonians also are urged to call your health care provider if at any point you develop any symptoms.

Burlingtonians are invited to discuss this next stage of our response to the pandemic in a Telephone Town Hall meeting on Tuesday at 5:30 pm. Mayor Weinberger, Vermont Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine, and UVM Medical Center President and COO Dr. Stephen Leffler will discuss how to assess risk, what Burlingtonians should keep in mind as they’re making holiday plans, and other key topics, and also take as many questions as they can from callers. Find the full details and RSVP on the event page.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2020
Contact: Olivia LaVecchia, Mayor’s Office
                (802) 734-0617

                Beth Parent, VGS
                (802) 578-2776

Mayor Miro Weinberger Announces Federal Approval of New BTV Sound Mitigation Program and Partnership with VGS to Provide $550,000 Local Match

Pilot partnership expected to leverage $4.5 million in federal funds for soundproofing of Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski homes in 2021, and lays groundwork for multi-year investment to follow
 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced a partnership between the Burlington International Airport and VGS in which the utility will provide the local match for the BTV Sound Mitigation Program, closing the gap needed to apply for $4.5 million in federal funds for soundproofing in 2021, and without any impact on the general funds of the communities around the Airport. Mayor Weinberger was joined at the announcement by South Burlington Council Chair Helen Riehle, Winooski Mayor Kristine Lott, and VGS President and CEO Neale Lunderville.

“From my first days in this office, one of my top goals for the Airport has been to put the millions of dollars that we receive from the federal government into improving homes instead of tearing them down,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Today we’re announcing that we’ve nearly turned around the ocean liner, and are now on a route that should eventually make hundreds of homes in Winooski, Burlington, and South Burlington more energy efficient, comfortable, and quiet in the years to come. I’m grateful to Mayor Lott and Chair Riehle for the collaboration that brought us to this point, and to VGS for coming to the table with an innovative and impactful solution. I also want to thank Vermont’s federal delegation for their work to secure vital federal funds, and the Airport team, with leadership from Nic Longo, for their tireless work to get to this outcome.”

Through the partnership, VGS will use Energy Efficiency Utility (EEU) funds to provide the 10 percent local match that is required to secure federal funding for the program. Starting in 2021, VGS is prepared to commit $550,000 in EEU funds to provide the local match for $4.5 million in federal funds. The years of 2021 and 2022 will be considered pilot years during which the program will be launched and adjusted as necessary, and VGS and the airport will work together to lay the groundwork for investment at similar levels in the years to follow. The Airport’s previous FAA noise mitigation program was in place for 30 years, and it is expected that the new program also could be in place for a decade or more.

“Weatherization is a cornerstone strategy for achieving both Vermont’s and VGS’s bold climate goals,” said Neale Lunderville, President and CEO of VGS. “By pairing up weatherization and soundproofing, we help reduce our customers’ carbon footprint, lower their monthly costs, and make their homes more comfortable. This innovative approach demonstrates the value of partnership and collaboration, and is the kind of thinking we need to fight climate change in the years ahead. I applaud our community leaders for their unwavering commitment to make this project a reality.”

“I welcome the collaborative approach and partnership that Burlington International Airport and Vermont Gas Systems are bringing to sound insulation efforts affecting the surrounding communities,” said Senator Patrick Leahy. “As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to do my part by advocating for the necessary federal funding for the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program that supplies grants in support of those activities.” John Tracy, State Director for the Office of Senator Leahy, shared remarks at the announcement.

The Airport and VGS have signed a Letter of Intent, and now will be seeking further approvals. As an immediate next step, VGS will work with the Airport and the Airport’s sound consultant, the Jones Payne Group, to continue planning for the rollout of the sound program. The pilot program will enable the design and construction of soundproofing for an estimated 10-12 homes in 2021, and position the Airport to apply for federal funds to design soundproofing for 50 homes in 2021, construct soundproofing for those homes in 2022, and continue serving a similar number of homes in the years to follow.

This partnership follows other recent advances in noise mitigation, most notably, a $3.49 million federal appropriation that did not require a local match for soundproofing and HVAC upgrades at Chamberlin Elementary School in South Burlington. The design of this project is currently underway, with construction anticipated to start in summer 2021.

New BTV Sound Mitigation Program Received Federal Approval on October 16, 2020

The partnership follows the recent approval of the new BTV Sound Mitigation Program earlier this month by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Previously, the Airport operated under a sound program that was in place from 1989 to 2019, which followed a model of acquiring and demolishing impacted homes as its primary noise mitigation measure.

The new program, which has been in development for several years, was formally approved on October 16, 2020, and adopts sound insulation as the primary noise mitigation measure. Under this program, the Airport will work with homeowners to determine if they qualify, and if they do, will then plan for and construct replacements of windows and doors, and in some circumstances, air conditioning and air sealing.

Partnership Follows Breakthrough Agreement between Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski

The partnership follows two years of discussions and negotiations between the cities of Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski, that improved strained municipal relations on Airport issues and culminated in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that Mayor Weinberger, Councilor Riehle, and Mayor Lott agreed to in the winter of 2020, and were on track toward finalizing when the process was interrupted by the pandemic. The MOU committed the municipalities to collaboration on multiple fronts including finding a source for the local match that is not the general funds of the three communities, and to work with local utilities to maximize weatherization money. Though the MOU is not yet finalized, the partnership with VGS flows directly from the work that led to this agreement.

“South Burlington has been committed to finding a way to preserve and improve housing affected by the military mission at BTV,” said South Burlington Council Chair Helen Riehle. “We have been very vocal at times and determined to achieve noise mitigation. This partnership is a real start and a classic example of the ‘Vermont Way’ — don’t give up, talk through the differences, find a creative approach that works for all, collaborate with interested parties, and voila, you find a path forward!  The City of South Burlington is pleased and looks forward to moving ahead.”

“The City of Winooski has prioritized preservation of quality affordable housing throughout this process,” said Winooski Mayor Kristine Lott. “We're very pleased to see this kind of collaboration that can bring joint benefits of both sound insulation and weatherization to many of our residents. This is a great start and I look forward to continued collaboration in the effort to fund mitigation for as many homes as we can as quickly as possible.”

That Memorandum of Understanding followed, in 2019, the Airport releasing an updated Noise Exposure Map that identified 2,640 homes in South Burlington, Williston, Winooski, Colchester, and Burlington that are within the contour lines of 65-plus decibels, and therefore may be eligible for Federal Aviation Administration funds for sound mitigation through the Airport Improvement Program.

“For over 30 years, BTV has committed to participating in the voluntary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sponsored Part 150 program that assesses and quantifies noise impacts from aircraft noise, which aids in the development of the Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) to minimize those impacts,” said Gene Richards, Director of Aviation at Burlington International Airport. “This partnership with VGS illustrates how the Airport has worked with diverse partners. The Airport is grateful for VGS’ commitment to generating a win-win for our community.”

For additional information, please see:

• To learn more about the BTV Sound Mitigation Project, please visit: www.btvsound.com
• To learn more about the MOU between Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski, please see the draft document.
• To learn more about the partnership with VGS, see the Letter of Intent [PDF].

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2020
Contact: Heather Matthews, ANEW Place

Olivia LaVecchia, Mayor’s Office
(802) 734-0617

ANEW Place Closes on Purchase of Champlain Inn and Announces Plan to Offer Temporary, Low-Barrier Housing Starting in December

The purchase realizes Mayor Weinberger’s long-held goal of establishing a year-round low-barrier facility for Burlington

Burlington, VT – ANEW Place today announced the purchase of the Champlain Inn at 165 Shelburne Road, and its plans to transform the space to provide temporary housing for those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. The Inn will fill the void left by the closing of the low-barrier shelter on South Winooski Ave, and realize the goal of establishing a year-round low-barrier option in Burlington that Mayor Miro Weinberger articulated in his 2017 State of the City and has budgeted local funds for in recent budget cycles. The City actively worked to support ANEW Place’s efforts through technical assistance, an emergency resolution, and funding for ongoing operations, and by fully backing and advocating for Covid-emergency funds to be used for this project.

At the Inn, there will be space for up to 50 people experiencing homelessness to access shelter in a way that is Covid-safe and available throughout the year. ANEW Place will provide Inn guests with onsite services, including case managers and assistance with finding permanent housing.

“ANEW Place is excited for the opportunity to purchase and reimagine the Champlain Inn,” said Kevin Pounds, Director of ANEW Place “Thank you to the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board for believing in this project and providing the federal funds to make it possible. All of us have been impacted in some way by the COVID crisis, and this is especially true for the increasing number of our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Our hope and prayer is the Champlain Inn will be a place where people, regardless of their situation and story, experience a new start. ANEW Place is blessed with an incredible team of people who’ve moved this project forward: Cindy Reid with Cathedral Square, Mark Sammut with Wright & Morrissey Inc., Bob Duncan with Duncan Wisniewski Architecture, Grace Ciffo with CEDO, and Hobart Popick with Langrock, Sperry, & Wool. I especially want to thank ANEW’s frontline staff who’ve worked tirelessly to provide a supportive shelter environment in a basement, RVs, and tents while navigating the challenges of COVID. We’re only as good as the team around us.”

“Low-barrier shelters save lives and are a critical resource for protecting some of our most vulnerable residents. The opening of a year-round facility represents a major expansion of our community’s capacity to address the challenge of homelessness,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “I am so grateful to the many partners who came together to realize this goal that we have labored for years to achieve.  I am thankful to ANEW Place and their committed team led by Kevin Pounds, Cathedral Square, and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for finding a way to leverage the great need presented by this global pandemic and turn it into long-term opportunity, and to the neighbors and South End City Councilors who supported this initiative. Having a year-round low-barrier solution is just one of the ways that our community is going to emerge from this pandemic even stronger.”

ANEW Place closed on the purchase of the Champlain Inn on Friday, October 23, and funded the purchase with $2.5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds granted by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB). ANEW Place will use the 33-unit motel to offer free rooms year-round for projected occupancy of 50 people. The property also includes a 2,800 square foot house that will provide space for on-site services, group meetings, and laundry facilities.

Now, ANEW Place will make several needed repairs to the property, and plans to re-open to serve clients on December 1.

Meeting the Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness During Covid-19 Pandemic

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, ANEW Place was operating the Burlington Low-Barrier Shelter at a location at 179 South Winooski Avenue. However, when the pandemic hit, it became clear that the facility was not safe for staff and guests. It did not allow for physical distance, had poor ventilation, and did not have space where symptomatic individuals could isolate.

As a result, ANEW Place, the City of Burlington, and the State of Vermont worked quickly to find an alternative. ANEW Place shut down the site on March 26, and as a temporary solution, moved the remaining guests into 26 RVs at the City’s campground at North Beach. In June, this transitioned into a sanctioned tenting area with ANEW Place staff continuing to provide support.

The demand for a low-barrier shelter typically decreases during the warm weather months, but this year, by August, up to 40 people were staying at the campground, approximately two-thirds of whom were not staying at the Low-Barrier Shelter during the winter months before Covid-19. This is true even as more than 400 people experiencing homelessness are using State vouchers to stay in Chittenden County hotels.

With the need for a low-barrier facility clear, and the winter months approaching, the City of Burlington and ANEW Place began pursuing a plan to create a tiny home community for people experiencing homelessness on City-owned land on Sears Lane. However, funding for that plan proved difficult to secure. “It was August, our backs were against the wall, and we were praying for a miracle,” says Kevin Pounds, Director of ANEW Place. Kevin met with Champlain Housing Trust COO Michael Monte to identify possible facilities, and only the Champlain Inn met the needs of a low-barrier facility. Though the Inn was not for sale, Kevin reached out to the owner and initiated a discussion about purchase.

Hurdles remained. On October 5, the Burlington City Council approved an emergency resolution to amend the zoning of the inn so that people experiencing homelessness would have a Covid-safe option before the freezing temperatures of winter. The resolution aligns the occupancy permitted for a residential use with the occupancy that the Inn was permitted as a commercial use. Then, on October 13, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board approved ANEW Place’s application for Coronavirus Relief Funds to purchase the Inn.

At the Champlain Inn, each room will provide guests with a private or semi-private sleeping area, electrical outlets to recharge phones and for other needs, and direct access to ANEW Place’s programs and services. The facility provides space for physical distancing, has appropriate ventilation, and allows for the isolation of symptomatic guests – making it a space that meets the needs of the Covid era and where people experiencing homelessness will be able to access shelter with dignity and respect.

“The Board believes the successful application for a grant of $2.5 million to acquire and rehabilitate the Champlain Inn reflects both the tenacity and heart of ANEW and the City of Burlington,” said Gus Seelig, Director for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. “In this time of responding to a pandemic, it has never been more clear that Housing is Health Care. The Champlain Inn will keep people warmer and healthier in the months ahead. We thank CHT for identifying this opportunity and deeply appreciate the hard work of Cindy Reid and the Cathedral Square Corporation in developing the application and planning for improvements. Finally, much thanks go to Senators Jane Kitchel, Tim Ashe, and Michael Sirotkin, Speaker Mitzi Johnson, and Chair Tom Stevens for insisting the a portion of the Coronavirus Relief Fund be used to expand Vermont’s supply of affordable homes.”

“This project is one of several collaborations between Cathedral Square and ANEW Place,” said Cindy Reid, Director of Development for Cathedral Square. “The pandemic has certainly highlighted systemic inequities in our housing system. We share ANEW’s compassion for treating people in need with dignity, and for identifying and mobilizing resources to provide safe homes and services to help those in need.”

History of Effort to Create Low-Barrier Facility in Burlington

Until several years ago, there was no low-barrier facility in Burlington, meaning a facility that welcomes any adult regardless of their sobriety or mental health. That changed in 2014, when Mayor Miro Weinberger ended the City’s long-standing opposition to a low-barrier shelter, and several organizations worked with the City’s support to establish a low-barrier shelter for the winter months. In the years that followed, the facility took several forms:

• 2014-2015: First year pilot called the “winter warming shelter,” run by CVOEO
• 2015-2016:
  • In his April State of the City, Mayor Weinberger commits the City to a permanent shelter declaring, “We must now work with the State and private funders to move beyond a pilot program and find a way to permanently ensure that a low-barrier warming shelter opens before next winter arrives.” 
  • Second year, run by COTS for a season that spanned November 1-April 1; shelter had 50 beds but demand outstripped capacity
• 2016-2017: Third year, run by CHCB for a season November 1-April 18 (season extended for 18 days with operational funding from UVMMC). Shelter had 35 permanent beds and provided 5,290 individual shelter bed nights over the season
• 2017-2018:
  • In his 2017 State of the City, Mayor Weinberger calls for the low-barrier shelter to become a year-round facility
  • Mayor attends Chittenden County Homeless Alliance meeting to ask for the coalition’s focus and support for a year-round low barrier facility.
  • Fourth year, run by CHCB for a season November 1-April 15, expanded to 37 permanent beds and provided 6,333 individual shelter bed nights over the season
• 2018-2019:
  • Burlington budgets local funds for expanded shelter operations for the first time. While responsibility for temporary shelters are generally the responsibility of the State, the City has budgeted funds for expanded low-barrier shelter operations every year since.
  • Fifth year, run by CHCB for a season that spanned November 1-June 15, with the extended season funded by the City of Burlington. The name changes to the “Low-Barrier Shelter.”
• 2019: Sixth year, run by ANEW Place, and moved to the North Beach Campground when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
• 2020:
  • March: Covid-19 closes the shelter on Winooski Avenue, and the City, State, and ANEW Place partner to move guests into RVs at the City’s North Beach Campground
  • June: State funding for RVS ends, and City and ANEW Place sustain low-barrier services through summer with a tenting area at North Beach
  • July: ANEW Place and Mayor Weinberger propose a tiny home development on Sears Lane for people experiencing homelessness, but funding for proposal is denied
  • August-September: ANEW Place develops a new application for funds to purchase the Champlain Inn, which is approved in October
  • Seventh year, run by ANEW Place, moving to 165 Shelburne Road, opening December 1 and staying open year-round!

This section draws on information that was put together by the Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) during the years that they ran the low-barrier shelter.

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