My idea for the Moran plant ties together the historical heritage of the waterfront and the city's already announced plans for recreational facilities. By following this plan, the city would create an icon for itself on that land.

Over one hundred years ago, approximately 1860, the original Union Station was built on land nearby. A glorious building, it formed the centerpiece of the city, hosting visits by more than one President to Burlington. I've attached a photo of this building in case you're not familiar.

The city has proposed the development of an aqua center at Leddy Park, and has stated the need for more recreational facilities. In fact, the Department of Parks and Recreation has proposed over 6 million dollars for this purpose.

My proposal is to build a facsimile of the original Union Station in much the same way as the Burlington Boat House was re-created some years ago. It could serve as the centerpiece for various festivals and events, even becoming a symbol and gateway to the city from the waterfront. The interior of the building could be designed as a recreational facility, incorporating a new city swimming pool. This facility would be paid for utilizing a 10 million dollar 30 year bond issue, which would be less than half of what the city paid recently for a new sewage treatment system.

This proposal is financially sound, incorporates city plans, beautifies the waterfront, ties in historically, and increases community. I hope you take this under serious consideration.

Kevin Ryan

What I heard most in objection to the Moran Plant was that people didn't like a private, Christian organization taking it over for a $1 lease - to benefit those people who can afford memberships. They wanted something available to all Burlingtonians. As a regular Y user, I personally know that the Y isn't really a "christian" organization the way these people meant it, but I couldn't convince people otherwise. Also, as someone who has easily gotten financial aid from the Y, despite my high income, I know that they really do try to make their services available to everyone. In my case, that meant looking at my whole debt load and not just my income - I am very grateful for that. But I don't think many non-Y users understood the true nature of the organization. In any case, from what I heard, it wasn't the use of the building as an athletic facility that bothered people, but more who was owning it (private, religious) and who would have access (only those who could afford it).

As I argued with my brother, he brought up the idea of a City-owned indoor pool that is open to all Burlingtonians. I love this idea. Maybe with a more professional outdoor skating rink? Other athletic facilities? i love the building, having lived on Lakeview Terrace in high school and watched its blinking lights. I would love to see it preserved, and whatever its use, have it be public, not private. I am not convinced that razing it and making it public land would bring people down the waterfront that far. If the Y really does leave Burlington, we would sorely need another downtown athletic facility with a pool or two, one that is more affordable and more accessible on foot or bike than twin oaks and the like.

Thanks for asking our opinion & good luck!

Sarah Woodard

Tear down the plant and build a large (though not as tall as moran plant) glass conservatory with the adjacent land an arboretum filled with local flowers / shrubs / trees, fountains and curvy pathways. I call it the Lake Champlain Conservatory and Arboretum.

What are the advantages of a state of the art green house on the waterfront?

1. A place for residents to experience native or tropical plants indoors in the winter (and all year.) Winters can be so dreary here. Wouldn't it be great to have a lush, warm place right here in the heart of Vermont's largest city to spend some time with greenery -- and perhaps learn a thing or two?

2. Another great reason for tourists to visit -- and a great counter-part to the ECCO center. An aquarium is great, but an aquarium AND an indoor garden a block away is better! I believe it would draw many people to Burlington on it's own, but also along with waterfront festivals, ECCO, Shelburne and Maritime Museums.

3. A hands on indoor / outdoor place for school children to learn about plants and conservation -- a great and conveniently located place for a field trip.

4. The Lake Champlain Conservatory and Arboretum could be run by a non-profit and staffed mostly by volunteers and college students studying biology.

5. Besides a few small green houses at garden centers, Vermont has no large indoor gardens.

6. I think it would be quite fitting to take the old hulking remnant of Burlington's past and replace it with something beautiful that everyone could enjoy--and unlike the YMCA, one wouldn't have to be a member or be physically inclined to enjoy a visit.

Of course, the biggest question is who would pay for it. I don't have an answer, except to point to recent funding sources for ECCO and the Louise McClure. But who knows....Five years from now on a wicked cold January day, I could take my young son to experience a little peace and warmth and greenery -- just down the hill by the lake.

Thank you for the opportunity for input!
greg goetsch

Thanks,
John Kiehl

I read with interest Maurice Mahoney's remarks in the paper today. I guess he and his group have already decided what they want to do at the Moran site. So much for facilitating or even sitting this one out and listening as they had said. Perhaps his group's name should be "Let My People Decide."

His suggestion of tearing down the Plant and leaving the area as open space may prove to be what the public wants; if so, great. My only concern is that his group's efforts, focusing on their idea, do not eclipse the process the City is setting up to solicit all ideas and then allow citizens to make a specific choice. His talk of "if this process does not go anywhere" he will bring forth a ballot question has me wondering how he would define "not going anywhere." I wonder if he will believe that the process is not going anywhere if there is not a consensus early on to tear the Plant down and leave the land for open space. If Maurice's potential ballot question were to go down, we still would not know what the public wants, we would just know about another proposal that it does not want. I think making sure the process gets a chance is something we all have to be vigilant about and perhaps discuss further.

Best,
Peter

Sam Faris.

1. a public picnic area
2. a public garden
3. a public garden with shrub maze for kids (and adults)
4. Just plant grass
5. don't turn the water front into one big docking and mooring area. keep it open.
6. don't do any more building development on the waterfront. We don't need more stores on this sacred resource.

My opinion on this is that it should be torn down and a nice park be put in. We don't have enough open spaces in the city.

Thanks,
Brent Grenier

Deborah Lashman

At the very least, the plant should be torn down and converted to a green space / park area, similar to what already exists on the waterfront. Ideally some sort of performing arts center, such as SPAC or Tanglewood, should be built when funding allows. Passenger train service and public boat moorings could be utilized as alternative modes of travel. This would help alleviate traffic and create more of a unique experience for visitors. The era of using waterfront property for commercial and industrial purposes has come to pass.

Thanks,
Peter Kapusta

I think that Burlington would benefit by turning the Moran Plant into a diversity center that celebrates the many cultures that exist in and around Burlington.

Chris

Thora Chadwick

Tracy Meier & Pat Cook

Ken Vachereau

2. Build a performing arts shell that can be used 50-60% of the year, as an alternative to Memorial Auditorium and Flynn Theater.

3. Change the Land Trust Limitations on the property to allow for commercial development and then seek some beneficial proposals.

Alan Sousie