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Waterfront Access North Project (WFN)

Project Background

The funding for these transportation improvements on Burlington’s waterfront are possible thanks to the federal dollars secured by Senator Patrick Leahy. CEDO and Burlington’s Department of Public Works are working with Resource Systems Group on the Waterfront Access North transportation improvement project. This is the second phase of a larger waterfront design project, the first phase of which is located proximate to lower College Street.

ARRA TIGER Grant Award – Burlington Waterfront Access North Project (WFN)

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today (February 17, 2010) that Burlington will receive a major, and highly sought after, Recovery Act (“Stimulus Bill”) grant. The $3.15 million award will be used for the “Waterfront North” project, which involves rebuilding the end of Lake Street, realigning and upgrading portions of the bike path, and constructing the parking necessary for the redevelopment of the Moran plant. The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant program was created by Congress as part of the 2009 Recovery Act to finance strategic investments in infrastructure that will result in immediate and long term job creation.

With the TIGER grant announcement, the funding for this project is complete, since the TIGER program does not require any local match. The planning stages of the project are complete and were paid for through funds previously secured by Senator Patrick Leahy to improve public access to all parts of the downtown waterfront. A major thrust of those efforts, including the reconstruction of lower College Street, reconfiguration of the Pease parking lot, and construction of a new information building with public bathrooms, is nearing completion.

The latest layout for the Waterfront Access North improvements is now available in PDF format. To open, view and/or print this document, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free software, you can download it now. If you need this document in an alternative format, please call 865-7144.

Construction plans at 25%

The City has developed 25% construction plans for review by VTrans (Vermont Agency of Transportation) for the first phase of this project. The 25% Plans are now available in PDF format. To open, view and/or print this documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free software, you can download it now. If you need this document in an alternative format, please call 865-7144.

Categorical Exclusion Submitted to VTrans

The City submitted a categorical exclusion application to VTrans for the first phase of this project. A draft application is now available in PDF format. To open, view and/or print this documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free software, you can download it now. If you need this document in an alternative format, please call 865-7144.

Preferred Design Selected

Staff and the consultant team held two local concerns meetings on July 10, 2008 to gather input from residents on issues related to waterfront access and mobility north of the College Street corridor. Further, the consultant team identified existing conditions and working with staff from DPW, CEDO, Parks and Recreation, City Arts and Planning and Zoning developed a series of potential improvements. These concepts were presented to City staff and to the public at two alternatives presentation meetings on November 20, 2008 where reactions from the public were solicited.

Staff followed up with a series of meetings with the consultants and developed recommendations for the Waterfront Marketplace Downtown (WMD) advisory group. The WMD met on February 10, 2009 and again on February 25, 2009 and drafted their recommended preferred alternatives. Staff presented these recommendations to the Planning Commission on March 10, 2009 and the Public Works Commission on March 11, 2009 and received their concurrence.

The overall recommendations include short term improvements funded through existing SAFETEA-LU appropriations and near and long term improvements for which the City will seek additional funding.

Preferences in order of priority are:

Phase I

1. Re-alignment of northern Lake Street and the bike path, including pedestrian amenities, storm water improvements, under grounding of utilities, street lighting, landscaping and parking, which will support adjacent development opportunities.
2. Storm water upgrades to Lake Street that do not preclude future north/south transit opportunities.

Future Phases

1. Signal timing improvements and hardware upgrades to Battery Street.
2. Continued investigation of the Depot Street Improvements & Sherman Street Stairway improvements. These improvements will address public safety; enhance waterfront access from the Old North End, storm water, utilities and street lighting.
3. North-south transit and waterfront parking should be investigated and a plan developed.
4. A pedestrian bridge from Depot Street to the parking near the Moran building should be considered as part of the next phase of Moran.
5. Additional improvements to Battery Street require further investigation to determine impact on levels of service to all modes.

Other concepts identified in the study such as north south transit route; in-slope parking and funicular require additional study. With respect to the parking and funicular, the city should pursue partnerships with private property owners.

At their May 26, 2009 meeting, the Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee (TEUC) and staff reviewed the scoping study. The TEUC endorsed the preferred alternative and recommended that staff continue with final design of the Lake Street extension portion. At their May 28, 2009 meeting, the Board of Finance supported the recommendations for approval and authorization by the City Council. On June 15, 2009, the City Council authorized Public Works Director to enter into a contract with Resource Systems Group for $297,700 to provide final design and prepare construction documents for Phase 1 of the improvements.

Scoping Report Complete

A scoping report is now available in PDF format.  To open, view and/or print this document, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free software, you can download it now. If you need this document in an alternative format, please call 865-7144.

Design Alternatives Presentations

The City held two public meetings on November 20, 2008 to present alternative designs focused on the Waterfront Access North Project area and obtain public comments.

Project Purpose: To enhance travel access to and on the Waterfront and to improve connections to the remainder of Downtown with the goal of creating jobs and enhancing economic vitality. It is part of an ongoing effort to put in place public infrastructure to reclaim Burlington’s formerly industrial downtown waterfront in a manner that both drives the regional economy and enriches quality of life by enhancing public access to and enjoyment of the Lake Champlain shoreline.

Needs:

• Improve pedestrian crossings of city streets while maintaining adequate traffic flow.
• Facilitate pedestrian travel down to the Waterfront from the heights, including improving access to Depot Street.
• Improve storm water management along northern Lake Street.
• Promote access to the Moran site; provide for future access to the Urban Reserve.
• Develop north-south travel alternative to Lake Street.

• To view the design alternative presentation and conceptual plans in PDF format, click here. 

To open, view and/or print this document, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free software, you can download it now. If you need this document in an alternative format, please call 865-7144.

Identified Concerns

The City held two local concerns meetings on July 10, 2008 at Burlington College, 95 North Avenue, one at 9:00 am and one at 6:00 pm focused on the Waterfront Access North Project.

• To view the presentation in a printable PDF format, click here.
• To view a map of the project area in a printable PDF format, click here.

To open, view and/or print these documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free software, you can download it now. If you need this document in an alternative format, please call 865-7144.

This phase of the project is for "scoping," which means it is setting out to develop alternatives for addressing transportation issues, problems, and opportunities within the project area (see attached map (pdf)). To open, view and/or print this document, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a current copy of this free software, you can download it now. If you need this document in an alternative format, please call 865-7144.

For more information, contact: 

Kirsten Merriman Shapiro
Community & Economic Development Office
149 Church Street
Room 32 - City Hall
Burlington, VT 05401
kmerriman@ci.burlington.vt.us
802-865-7284