The Moran Generating Station was built in 1953 and was used to produce
electricity for the City of Burlington until 1986. Since that date, the plant
has been largely unused, other than serving as an occasional venue for
performance. There has been a history of efforts made to find a new use for the
former generating station. Some ideas have included the Renaissance Center, an
IMAX theater, and a movie set. In 1997, the City spent $40,000 on stabilization
work to prevent further deterioration to the structure in the interim before
adaptive renovations could begin.
The nonprofit Community Sailing Center leases part of the building and
grounds for the purpose of providing sailing classes, boat rental and boat
storage. The Community Sailing Center’s lease runs through April 1999. Refer
to Element C for more information about the
Community Sailing Center.
An equinox sculpture currently occupies part of the grounds of the Moran
Station. This is a temporary installation and may have to be removed or
relocated when the Moran Station is redeveloped.
At the present time, the most advanced plan for the adaptive reuse of the
Moran Station is one put forth by the Fleming Museum/University of Vermont. The
Fleming is currently developing a proposal to use the structure—primarily the
main hall, basement and tower—for arts programming. The scale and openness of
the main hall (12,000 square feet with a 28 foot ceiling) make it prime
exhibition space.
The proposed redevelopment project would be phased. The goal of the first
phase would be to establish a clean, safe space with minimal architectural
alterations in which to begin programming within several years. Subsequent
phases may include limited architectural alterations or a major architectural
project resulting in the transformation of the building.
The Fleming’s curatorial focus for activities in the Moran facility would
be the cultural perspectives of artists from around the world, as well as from
America’s own diverse cultures, as expressed in experimental artistic forms.
The building offers a scale of architecture, an interior plan, and a location
that are ideally suited to the exhibition of contemporary art. Museums and
galleries of contemporary art are characterized by large, open spaces that can
accommodate very large-scale work and can be reconfigured as needed. The scale
of the Moran plant exceeds that of most contemporary art facilities and would
offer artists a unique working and exhibiting opportunity.
The location offers the University an opportunity to enhance its presence
within the Burlington community, building on the role of the arts as a key area
of outreach to the community and the state, and building on UVM’s partnership
in the Lake Champlain Basin Science Center. Together, these two public
facilities would anchor the Waterfront, offering broad, community access to
exhibits and programs in the arts and sciences.
Compatible uses for other parts of the building are being pursued within the
Burlington community: The Vermont Youth Orchestra Association and other local
performing arts organizations have expressed interest in the Moran Plant as a
possible rehearsal space. UVM’s Lane Series and Royall Tyler Theatre could
make use of this space as well. Additionally, revenue-generating tenants might
be a desirable addition to help subsidize the central nonprofit use of the
facility.
Some of the spaces in the building still house equipment from the power
plant, such as the 10,000 square foot tower which contains massive coal hoppers.
These areas could be cleaned up, put on display and interpreted as a means of
documenting the industrial history of Burlington’s waterfront.
The City will support the Fleming Museum/University of Vermont's
redevelopment plan or any other economically feasible plan that results in
permanent reuse of the building that is in keeping with the Public Trust
Doctrine and the Guiding Principles of this Plan.
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