Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced awards of over $2 million in Downtown Transportation Fund (DTF) grants to support 15 projects in Designated Downtowns and eligible Designated Village Centers. See list below.
Since 1999, the Department of Housing and Community Development has been supporting investment in public infrastructure through the DTF. The program has helped update streetscaping, parking, rail, and bus facilities, bicycle and pedestrian safety, utilities, street lighting, and wayfinding signage.
“The recent revitalization work in St. Johnsbury, Waterbury and Bennington through Downtown Transportation Fund grants has shown that increased public investment in downtowns attracts private investments, strengthens local economies, and improves the quality of life for its residents and visitors,” said Governor Scott. “Efforts like this are critical components of our work to grow the economy in all 14 counties.”
This round of awarded projects ranges from making urgent repairs to a train station and connecting rail-trails for multiuse recreation to replacing traffic and pedestrian signals to improve safety and pedestrian experience. These grants continue to help Vermont’s communities to invest in infrastructure to make downtowns and village centers pedestrian, bike, and transit friendly.
“Transportation infrastructure improvements can have profound positive effects on communities and the quality of life of individual Vermonters by offering more alternatives and enabling more active lifestyles,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn.
In 2021 the program received a one-time $5M increase and opened eligibility to qualified Designated Village Centers. Since its inception in 1999, the program has invested over $13 million to support 151 projects in 32 different communities leveraging over $54 million in additional funding.
“We were excited to have the opportunity to expand eligibility to our smaller Designated Village Centers this year with the increase in funding’” said Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Josh Hanford. “A little funding can go a long way to making our downtowns and village centers attractive, safer, and more accessible to all.”
WINNERS
Town of Bellows Falls, Bellows Falls Train Station Repair; $200,000
The grant will restore deteriorating masonry including the foundation and brickwork and make urgent repairs to the collapsed bulkhead. The Bellows Falls Train Station will continue operating and serving riders during construction.
Contact:
Gary Fox
Development Director, Town of Rockingham
Phone: 802-376-5425
Email: [email protected]
Town of Bennington, Walloomsac Riverwalk Extension; $200,000
The funding will widen existing sections of the Walloomsac Riverwalk and extend it by 350 feet connecting the downtown area to the Walloomsac Valley Rail-Trail. New signage, LED lighting, safety railings, trees, and trash receptacles will make the trail safer, more accessible, and attractive to pedestrians and cyclists.
Contact:
Shannon Barsotti
Community Development Director, Town of Bennington
Phone: 802-442-1037
Email: [email protected]
Town of Brighton, Lakeside Park Improvements; $118,400
This project will enhance Island Pond’s Lakeside Park with improved pedestrian connections, new signage, and landscaping. The changes will support expanded use of the park’s pavilion for community events such as music, community picnics, and the annual Independence Weekend Celebration.
Contact:
Joel Cope
Town Administrator, Town of Brighton
Phone: 802-723-4753
Email: [email protected]
Town of Bristol, Basin Street Streetscape Improvements; $200,000
Basin Street improvements include the repair of the retaining walls and reconstruction of the streetscape and storm drain system along Main Street. The repairs will reduce erosion and improve water quality. Approximately 170 feet of sidewalk and 300 feet of guardrail will also be replaced to improve pedestrian access and safety.
Contact:
Valerie Capels
Town Administrator, Town of Bristol
Phone: 802 453-2410
Email: [email protected]
Town of Chester, Village Wayfinding Signage; $186,480
Grant funds will implement a newly designed wayfinding signage system to help guide pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists to the village center and area attractions. The new signage will showcase the town’s unique identity.
Contact:
Julie Hance
Town Manager, Town of Chester
Phone: 802- 875-2173
Email: [email protected]
Town of Danville, Danville Train Station Adaptive Use; $99,500
The underutilized historic station sits along a completed section of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a short walk from Danville’s Village Center. Funding will transform the train station into a transportation, recreation, and economic hub for thousands of people using the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
Contact:
Kate Whitehead
Co-Chair, Danville Train Station Committee
Phone: 802-279-1869
Email: [email protected]
Village of Enosburg Falls, Crosswalk Relocation and Improvement; $13,323
The 2019 Vital Village Master Plan identified pedestrian safety as a high priority. The grant will help the village relocate and improve pedestrian safety at a school crosswalk on Main Street.
Contact:
Elisabeth Nance
Economic Development Coordinator, Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation
Phone: 802-524-2194
Email: [email protected]
Town of Fairlee, Village Sidewalk and Crosswalk Improvements; $100,275
The new sidewalk and crosswalks will safely connect pedestrians to several popular locations including the park and ride, town common, town hall and auditorium and the Cross Rivendell Trail on the other side of the Connecticut River.
Contact:
Chris Brimmer
Zoning Administrator, Town of Fairlee
Phone: 802-333-4363 x103
Email: [email protected]
City of Newport, Downtown Intersection Improvements; $200,000
Grant funds will replace traffic and pedestrian signals and controls at the intersection of Main Street and Coventry Street. The new system will improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at one of the busiest intersections in downtown Newport.
Contact:
Laura Dolgin
City Manager, City of Newport
Phone: 802-334-5136
Email: [email protected]
Town of Springfield, Downtown Sidewalk and Streetscape Improvements; $187,004
The grant will extend the sidewalk and connect the state office building and a large senior housing complex. The new sidewalk will improve pedestrian safety at an already popular walking route. In addition, landscaping improvements to Cinema Plaza will enhance this highly used public space.
Contact:
Jeff Mobus
Town Manager, Town of Springfield
Phone: 802-885-2104
Email: [email protected]
City of Vergennes, Downtown and Basin Wayfinding Signage Installation; $79,760
Grant funding will implement a new wayfinding plan, a key recommendation in the Downtown-Basin Master Plan. The new signage will help visitors to navigate the downtown and basin areas while marketing the unique identity of Vergennes.
Contact:
Ron Redmond
City Manager, City of Vergennes
Phone: 802-238-5598
Email: [email protected]
Town of Waitsfield, Waitsfield Elementary School Crosswalk Safety Upgrades; $19,040
Grant will support the installation of rapid flashing beacons at a busy school crossing on Route 100 in the village. This is the first phase of a larger project to improve pedestrian safety at crosswalks along Route 100.
Contact:
Annie Decker-Dell’Isola
Town Administrator, Town of Waitsfield
Phone: 802-496-2218
Email: [email protected]
Town of Warren, Village Traffic Calming Project; $114,312
Grants will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists with changes to slow vehicular traffic in a busy area in the village center. The project will narrow roads with medians and landscaping features, making bridge and crosswalk improvements, and improving road striping and lighting.
Contact:
Bob Ackland
Selectboard, Town of Warren
Phone: 802-279-3081
Email: [email protected]
Town of Waterbury, Downtown Sidewalk Upgrades; $200,000
Grants will upgrade deteriorated and narrow sidewalks on streets adjacent to Main Street, making them wider and accessible to all, while improving the overall safety for pedestrians. Additional enhancements include new lighting, flower baskets, and trash receptacles.
Contact:
William Shepeluk
Municipal Manager, Town of Waterbury
Phone: 802-244-7033
Email: [email protected]
Town of West Rutland, Marble Street Parking Lot; $180,000
Funding will create a parking lot in the heart of the village center to serve businesses and as overflow parking for special events held at the Town Hall Auditorium. The parking lot is also convenient to recreation opportunities on the Marbleway Path and will include an electric vehicle charging station, bicycle rack, and bus shelter.
Contact: Mary Ann Goulette Town Manager, Town of West Rutland Phone: 802-438-2263 Email: [email protected]
More information about the Downtown Transportation Fund grants and summaries of the 2022 grant award winners are available above or here.
Governor 7.27.2022. Montpelier www.vermont.gov
