Economic Development Plan
City of Burlington

Community and Economic Development Office
City of Burlington
2005

Introduction

Over the past several years, Burlington has realized:

• The lowest commercial, industrial, and retail vacancy rates in the county,
• An increasing number of new jobs,
• Increasing Gross Receipts (rooms and meals) Taxes,
• Increasing Gross Receipts Retail Sales Tax Receipts,
• A 36% increase in property values,
• National recognition for its efforts to become a more livable, more sustainable community, and
• Increased tourism.

Burlington faces challenges that are not unique and that are typical of any developed urban area. But in general, Burlington’s economic health and vitality remain strong. Highlights include:

• Major redevelopment activities such as Gilbane’s new Innovation Center of Vermont and the redevelopment of the Burlington Town Center (attracting new retailers to the area) are underway or near completion.
• The continued revitalization of Burlington’s waterfront, including Main Street Landing’s efforts, the ECHO Center, Cornell Trading’s relocation, new housing projects, as well as the Maritime Museum’s Schooner Project, the new Spirit of Ethan Allen 3 and new Northern Lights.
• Efforts to insure that downtown is a place where people live and work have increased, including Milot’s Condominium Project on College Street, new upper story housing along Church Street, Bove’s Project (Victoria Place) on Pearl Street as well as new proposed housing efforts in several locations that account for nearly 300 new units of housing in the next several years.
• Several neighborhood-based efforts, including the Bus Barns on North Winooski Avenue, the redevelopment of the Hauke Shopping Center on North Avenue, and the soon-to- be reconstructed North Street, have brought new vitality to once aging neighborhood commercial districts.
• The continued entrepreneurial efforts in the South End Arts and Business District, a generator of jobs and redeveloped properties along and adjacent to the Pine Street corridor.
• The pending construction of the Intervale Community Food Enterprise Center - a state-of-the art facility built to meet the unique needs of local farmers, food producers, community supported agriculture, community gardening, and the Old North End neighborhood.
• The construction of major transportation projects, such as the Champlain Parkway, Riverside Avenue, North Street, as well as the continued expansion of the Burlington Airport.
• The construction of the optical fiber telecommunications network is now available to businesses needing high-speed data, internet, and voice telephone services.

Page last updated April 04, 2008