Mayor Miro Weinberger announced Monday the slate of Public Investment Action Plan (PIAP) projects for the Waterfront Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District that will strengthen existing waterfront resources, resolve the uncertainty surrounding the future of Moran, and increase public access and use of the waterfront.’
In an Open Letter to the People of Burlington, the mayor shared his selection of the following six PIAP projects in support of which the City plans to invest $9.6 million in TIF funds to leverage an additional $33 million of direct investmen.
The mayor also indicated that this will be the Moran plant's last chance to be renovated, otherwise he will push to demolish it.
"If New Moran proves infeasible," Weinberger said in the letter, "it will be time to acknowledge that the building has become an obstacle to waterfront progress.’ In the proposed PIAP ballot language, I am requesting the authority from voters for resolution: in the event the Administration and City Council determine that New Moran cannot be completed in a timely manner, the City will use TIF funds to demolish the building."
New Moran: up to $6.3 million for a mixed-use redevelopment of the building with a focus on green energy innovation, local foods, and a multi-purpose arts and events space, including $4.2 million of new TIF investment and reauthorization of $2.1 million in previously approved investment.’ (The New Moran website is live.)
Waterfront Park Upgrades: $800,000 for improved electrical and water infrastructure to enhance Vermont’s most visited public park.’
Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center: $500,000 to support site improvements for a permanent home and new building for the Community Sailing Center.
Burlington Harbor Marina: $500,000 to create a marina on our northern waterfront to meet the burgeoning need for boats slips in our harbor.’
ECHO Center Sustainability Park: $500,000 to support creation of new outdoor amenities, educational installations, and lake protection facilities on land surrounding ECHO.
Waterfront Access North: $500,000 for increased access to the northern waterfront, landscaping, environmental remediation, lake protection, and utility relocation.’‘
The proposed total TIF authorization also includes $500,000 to support the City’s management of the TIF district during the years ahead of project implementation.
‘The slate of projects I am submitting to the City Council today will strengthen and improve the most beloved current features of the waterfront, resolve the long-standing uncertainty about the future of the Moran plant and surrounding property, and increase public access and use of the waterfront and Lake Champlain,’ said Mayor Miro Weinberger.’ ‘The City is fortunate to be able to make these public investments to create jobs and grow municipal and state revenues without impacting the tax rates of local property owners.’
SEE’DETAIL’BELOW
At the announcement at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, the Mayor was joined by members of the project proposal teams and the public, as well as by Bill Truex, Chair of the PIAP Public Investment Team (PIT), and other PIT members who worked for months to review and score the proposed projects.’ Additionally, City Councilors Max Tracy (P-Ward 2) and Dave Hartnett (D-Ward 4) and State Representative Kurt Wright (R-Chittenden-6-1) spoke at the event.
Bill Truex, Chair of the Public Investment Action Plan, Principal at Truex Cullins & Partners, Co-Founder of the Church Street Marketplace
‘This is an exciting and optimistic time for the City of Burlington.’ The development resulting from the Public Investment Action Plan has the potential to transform the waterfront much like the Church Street Marketplace transformed the downtown."
City Councilor Max Tracy (P-Ward 2)
‘I am excited to be here today to support the Mayor’s Public Investment Action Plan slate.’ And I’m pleased to report that the process has lived up to the ‘public’ reference in its name ‘ I’m most excited about the fact that the proposed slate of projects maintains public ownership of the City’s valuable waterfront resources, including the Moran building and the surrounding land.’ Such public ownership will provide Burlingtonians with continued access to our waterfront treasures for generations to come.’
City Councilor Dave Hartnett (D-Ward 4)
‘I am pleased that the Mayor's PIAP slate will resolve the long-standing uncertainty about the future of the Moran building and site, that the Administration is exercising great care with City dollars, and that the City's TIF investments are being used to expand Burlington’s marina and leverage private investment.’ We have come a long way in our thinking about the future of the waterfront in the last couple years, and I am excited to see the PIAP slate implemented over the next two.’
State Representative Kurt Wright (R-Chittenden-6-1)
‘It is important to finally decide what direction we want to go with the Moran Plant.’ I enthusiastically endorse the Mayor’s PIAP slate both from my perspective as a New North End resident who wants the waterfront to be a wonderful community amenity and economic engine and as a state representative who has been involved in the many conversations about effective state TIF policy.’ These waterfront improvements will lead to job creation, generate important municipal and state revenues, and ensure that taxpayers are protected.’
Public Investment Action Plan ‘ Project Summaries
The City will invest up to $7.5 million in new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and reauthorize an additional $2.1 million in previously allocated dollars.’ TIF investments do not impact municipal property taxes, and all TIF allocations are contingent upon each project meeting certain progress milestones.’ Future reallocations are possible based on project progress.’
New Moran
Project Leads:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Room 9 Redevelopment and the Charles Tipper Co.
Total Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $26 million
TIF allocation:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $6.3 million*
Projected Job Totals:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ 70 FTE and 79 PT
Direct Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $5,904,280
Indirect Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘ $9,320,300
The local New Moran team has developed a proposal that represents an exciting vision for the building ‘ arguably the most exciting vision proposed in 30 years of redevelopment efforts ‘ and has garnered an enormous amount of support from other significant, credible, local individuals and organizations.’ New Moran is a mixed-use redevelopment of the Moran Plant building with a focus on local foods, a multi-use performance space, and other arts uses.’ Plans call for new jobs in makers and artisan spaces, a new multimedia studio, food services, and community gathering spaces.’ New Moran will be developed and managed by an exciting new independent non-profit that will assume the project’s pre-development, construction, and operating risk.’ The City will continue to own and lease the redeveloped building.’ Partners include:’
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Vision and Non-profit leadership: Charlie Tipper
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Architecture: Smith-Buckley Architects
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Finance & Project Management: Jeffry Glassberg, Renaissance Development Co.
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Construction Estimation: PC Construction
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Civil/Structural Engineering: Engineering Ventures
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Energy Strategy & Finance: BETTER P3
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Engineered Wastewater Systems: John Todd Ecological Design
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Philanthropic Support To-Date: Vermont Community Foundation
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ RFP-Stage Fiscal Agent: Preservation Trust of Vermont
‘·’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Program partners include:
o’‘ Food & Drink: The Vermont Community Garden Network, The Farmhouse Group and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
o’‘ Arts & Artisan: ‘Generator’ Maker Space, Burlington City Arts (BCA) and AO Glass Studio
o’‘ Community Media/Technology: Bradley Holt & Jason Pelletier ‘ Found Line, BTV Gig & Code for BTV (a Code for America Brigade)
o’‘ Recreation: Burlington Parks & Recreation
o’‘ Events: Crothers Productions’
* The New Moran allocation includes $4.3 million of new TIF investment and the reauthorization of $2.091 million allocated by City Council in 2011 for work on Moran Plant redevelopment
Waterfront Park Upgrades
Project Lead:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Department of Parks and Recreation
Total Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $1.7 million
Phase 1 Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $831,000
TIF allocation:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $800,000
Direct Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $150,000 direct annual revenues to the City
Indirect Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Up to $4 million per event
This proposal seeks to implement long-overdue upgrades at Waterfront Park through the renovation of electrical, water, boardwalk, and bike path infrastructure. For years, the site has been functioning as the city’s premier event grounds with an under-supported infrastructure that limits the on-site growth potential. The proposed improvements will enhance the day-to-day functionality, event experience, aesthetics, and improve neighborhood quality of life. These necessary improvements will complement and support the site’s current use as an active park and event site.’‘ The first phase of work will focus on upgrading the utility infrastructure.’ By improving the utilities, event impacts will be lessened on neighboring uses, and allow increased use of the bike path during ticketed events through realignment.
Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center (CSC)
Project Lead:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Community Sailing Center
Total Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $5 million
TIF allocation:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $500,000
Projected Job Totals:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ 2 new FTE and 5 new seasonal hires
Direct Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Negotiations on lease terms and taxes ongoing
The Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center (CSC) proposes to build and operate a 10,000 square feet classroom, office, and storage building with an additional 40,000+ SF outdoor storage yard and access facility. The CSC will provide and expand its operations to meet the community needs for small craft storage and access to Lake Champlain, for Floating Classroom outdoor experiential-education opportunities for local students, for continued growth of the Adaptive Watersports program and partnership with Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, and as the home for the nationally ranked University of Vermont Sailing Team, and the Northern Vermont High School Sailing Team. For 20 years, the CSC has increasingly been a vital community asset providing access, education, and recreation opportunities to all members of the community, regardless of physical or financial abilities. The CSC is like no other organization in the region, providing nationally acclaimed programming to a broad and diverse community around Greater Burlington.
Burlington Harbor Marina
Project Lead:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Burlington Harbor Marina, LLC and Jerome J. Parks Company
Total Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $5 million
TIF allocation:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $500,000
Projected Job Totals:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ 5-10 new FTE and 10-15 new seasonal hires
Direct Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Negotiations on lease terms and taxes ongoing
Indirect Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Significant growth in sales tax and rooms and meals tax anticipated with new transient and seasonal boater capacity
The Burlington Harbor Marina Project (BHM) seeks to address Burlington’s acute shortage of slips and moorings to enable increased usage of Lake Champlain.’ The project includes 120 new slips, 40 moorings and stacked storage on land for up to 64 boats.’ The location would be near the New Moran project and Community Sailing Center, creating synergies for both.’ A new publicly accessible pier would provide breakwater protection for both the marina and the Community Sailing Center.’ The project would also include publicly accessible restroom and shower facilities, as well as a seasonal taxi service to serve the entire waterfront.’ The project is proposed by developers who most recently completed Hotel Vermont and The Hen of the Wood in downtown Burlington.’
ECHO Center Sustainability Park
Project Lead:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center
Total Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $3.8 million
Phase 1 Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $700,000
TIF allocation:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $500,000
Indirect Annual Economic Impact:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Already generating $12 million annually
Sustainability Park will be a safe, socially and educationally rich outdoor environment mirroring ECHO’s inside experience.’ The outdoor experience will be free-to-all, with no operating cost to the City.’ The Park will feature docks and floating nature-walks with direct access to the water ‘ full of things to do, touch, and explore ‘ surrounded by educational demonstrations of sustainable stormwater, energy, and waste management strategies.’ The project will be located directly to the south of ECHO’s current building, abutting the Navy Memorial Pier.’ The first phase of the project would focus on building the pathways and educational interpretation, as well as some stormwater mitigation.’ ‘
Waterfront Access North
Project Lead:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Department of Public Works
Total Project Cost:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $8,661,000
TIF allocation:’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $500,000 ‘ new allocation
Waterfront Access North is the ongoing project aimed at improving access to the north harbor, northern section of Waterfront Park, and the bike path.’ Project components include alterations to Lake Street, the addition of on-street parking, a new and relocated skate park, important stormwater mitigation work, and improved access to the Community Sailing Center, the Burlington Harbor Marina, and New Moran.’ This additional investment will better enable the project to move forward in coordination with these other projects.
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Public Investment Action Plan ‘ Allocations’
The amounts below represent the total allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars under the Public Investment Action Plan (PIAP).’ The City is prepared to invest up to $9.6 million dollars* in six projects across the waterfront.’ Reallocations based on future project progress are possible.’‘
Project’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ TIF Allocation’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ Total Project Cost
New Moran’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $6,300,000*’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘ $26,000,000
Waterfront Park Upgrades’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘ 800,000’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘ 1,700,000
Community Sailing Center’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘ 500,000’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘ 5,000,000
Burlington Harbor Marina’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘ 500,000’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘ 5,000,000
ECHO Sustainability Park’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘ 500,000’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘ 3,800,000
Waterfront Access North’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘ 500,000’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘ 8,661,000
Project Management’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘ 500,000’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘
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TOTAL’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ ‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘ $9,600,000’
* New Moran would receive $4.3 million of new TIF dollars, in addition to a reauthorization of $2.1 million of TIF dollars approved by City Council in 2011 for redevelopment of the Moran Plant.’
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