Community-informed report will guide next phase of planning
Vermont Business Magazine The City of Burlington has completed a major milestone in the Overdose Prevention Center (OPC) project: the Service Assessment required under the Operating Guidelines.
This assessment was conducted to inform the planning and design of an Overdose Prevention Center in Burlington, in alignment with state guidelines. It helps identify the right services, design, location, and potential impacts of the OPC.
The Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) was contracted to conduct this work, which began in late July 2025. Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform (VCJR), the City’s lead partner and future operator of the OPC, has been instrumental in supporting the development of this report. The final report was delivered on March 29, ahead of schedule.
This effort reflects a collaborative process required as part of the assessment. It included input from a diverse grouping of stakeholders and local organizations through surveys, focus groups, one-on-one conversations, and listening sessions. PIRE also conducted a community survey that received more than 1,500 responses.
A central and intentional component of this assessment was direct engagement with people with living experience. PIRE conducted in-person sessions using an orally administered survey, allowing staff to ask clarifying questions and capture more detailed responses. This approach helped ground the findings in real-world experience.
The report outlines current strengths, gaps, and opportunities across systems. It also includes qualitative insights and community perspectives that provide context to the data, identify areas for further exploration, and inform continued planning.
“This report is not a final decision or a finished plan,” said Theresa Vezina, the City’s OPC Special Assistant. “It’s a starting point that helps guide the project, showing us where to focus our efforts and where we may need to gather more information.”
These findings will inform future planning, resource decisions, and coordination across partners. The report will also serve as a working document as the project continues to develop. It is one part of a broader effort that will continue to evolve through ongoing engagement, data collection, and review.
The full report is available on the City’s website. A City Council work session to review the findings is scheduled for May 18, and additional community presentations are in development for early summer.
The City thanks everyone who contributed to this process and looks forward to continuing the work in the months ahead.
5.5.2026. Office of Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
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