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The Church Street Marketplace is one of the country's most
successful pedestrian malls; however, the original infrastructure is
now over twenty years old. Safe, well-designed infrastructure
supports our vital and vibrant downtown, increases economic
opportunities and emphasizes sustainability of cities. Expanding the
pedestrian amenities contributes to the continued activity and use
of the Church Street Marketplace as a lively, safe area of the City
that can and should be occupied around the clock.
In 2003, the City made improvements to the Marketplace from
College Street north to Pearl Street. In 2004, we improved City Hall
Block. These first two phases were funded through TCSP
(Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program,
through the Federal Highway Administration) thanks to the support of
Senator Patrick Leahy.
In 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient
Transportation Equity: A Legacy for User (SAFETEA) act provided
transportation funding to communities all across the country.
Through the efforts of Senator Leahy, the City of Burlington
received $3 million for specific improvements on the Church Street
Marketplace as part of the Church Street Marketplace Improvement
Program and $3 million for improvements on the side streets to the
Church Street Marketplace.
The community has shown great
interest in this project with over 100 people participating in the
public meetings on October 25, to share their local concerns about
the infrastructure of the Church Street Marketplace. The City hired
consultants Tom Dillon, project manager, along with the team of
Hoyle Tanner & Associates and TK Landscape Architects to help us
develop the specific improvements. Together with the community’s
input we developed the following list of improvements to pursue in
Phase 3 A of the Church Street Marketplace’s Improvement Program.
Proposed work for Phase 3 A:
- Additional pedestrian amenities including benches, trash
cans, bollards, bike racks, trash and recycling containers
- Wayfinding improvements
- Cherry Street crossing: Grading, and resurfacing with
decorative pavers at the intersection of Cherry and Church
Street
- Installation of additional public art
- Arts Alley: Infrastructure upgrades, drainage, lighting and
resurfacing of the alley between Church Street Marketplace and
the South Winooski Avenue parking garage including new fencing,
walls, public art and areas for retail art vendors.
The Church Street Marketplace’s planning for Phase 3 A of its
Improvement Program includes the revitalization of the Marketplace
Alley (between Banana Republic & Maplehurst Florist). Merchants,
restaurateurs and members of the public were invited to weigh in on
the design alternatives at one of two public input meetings. The
meetings were held on Wednesday, April 18, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at
Contois Auditorium and Thursday, April 19, from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. at
the Fletcher Free Library Community Room. You can view a printable
PDF version of
Alternative A,
Alternative B and
Alternative C. If you
would like to read a description of the three design alternatives,
click
here. Your feedback wanted by April 30, 2007, on the
three design alternatives of proposed pedestrian improvements to the
Marketplace Alley. Please send comments to Charlie Swanson of Hoyle,
Tanner & Associates at
cswanson@hta.com.
Page last updated
July 06, 2009
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