Local Motion to convene “Citizens’ Committee on the Champlain Parkway”
Posted by Jason on Mar 11 2010
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The Champlain Parkway (aka the Southern Connector) has been an ongoing issue for Burlington’s South End for over 40 years. After all this time, it is anyone’s guess as to whether it will ever be built. However, the project recently reached a major milestone with regard to approvals from the Federal government and is probably as close as it has ever been to becoming a reality. The bottom line is, we as a community do not want to be caught unprepared if it does in fact get built this time around.
To this end, three Burlington organizations — the South End Arts and Business Association (SEABA), the Ward 5 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA), and Local Motion — are working together to convene a ”Citizens Committee on the Champlain Parkway.” This informal group will meet over the next few months to review the plan for the Connector with three questions in mind:
- How can the project be made to protect and restore neighborhood quality of life throughout the South End?
- How can the project be made to enhance the local business climate and increase commercial property values along Pine Street and surrounding commercial areas?
- How can the project be made to improve safety and create a more attractive environment throughout the immediate project corridor for people on foot, on bike, and in wheelchairs?
The first step in the process will be two South End-wide meetings, one focused on neighborhood issues and one on local business concerns.
MEETING REGARDING NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES
Monday, March 15, 6:30 to 8:00 at Champlain Elementary School (in the cafeteria)
MEETING REGARDING LOCAL BUSINESS ISSUES
Tuesday, March 16, 6:30 to 8:00 at the Soda Plant, 266 Pine Street (between Recycle North & Conant Custom Brass)
There will be three items on the agenda of each meeting:
- To provide a very short overview of the current design for the Connector
- To identify the full range of issues and concerns that people in each meeting would want to see addressed if the project were to move forward
- To identify up to three representatives at each meeting who will participate onthe Citizens Committee
Anyone is welcome at either meeting; however, each meeting will focus on one topic (business or residential), so people who have just one main concern should attend that meeting.
By bringing folks from all over the South End together to review the Southern Connector plans in detail and give one coordinated set of comments to the City, our hope is that – if the project moves forward – public officials can make the design as good as it can be within state and federal constraints.
3 Comments »
on 16 Mar 2010 at 12:50 am 1.carolyn said …
These are very important things to be concerned about:
1. We need to be sure
a. there is a fast small transport bus that goes up and down pine st. like what they have in Boulder CO. from and to park and ride
b. there is a park and ride at exit off rte 189…please research out that kmart shopping center and find out who owns it.
c. that sidewalks run up and down pine st the entire length, with places to sit and rest.
trees line pine st.
2. if the parkway is not built that the land is used for fast transit, and for foot and bike traffic, dog park, and a small community center with restrooms, vending machine? small place to eat? place to meet for ward 5 and others?
3. Regardless we need to be sure there are signs for trucks to go from rte 7 north onto rte 189 to rte 89 ASAP.
4. add a stop light at Howard and Pine
5. Be sure that neighborhoods are not decimated, with people sidetracking traffic build up.
6. Be sure that local vermonters get to build this thing, NOT OUT of staters.
(like they did for BT they came from Maine!)
7. Personally
Having a big road is folly. The only benefit is that there will be more money for more jobs for the construction. We need mass transit, not more cars into Burlington. And let us get
get more trains to carry freight, instead of so many trucks.
Carolyn
on 16 Mar 2010 at 1:04 am 2.Wayne Senville said …
Just to let folks know that the Burlington Planning Commission will be considering the language in the draft Burlington Transportation Plan now under review — that includes reference to the Southern Connector. Discussion of the draft Plan will be on our Agenda for Tuesday evening, March 23rd. For details about time & location of the Planning Commission meeting either check the City of Burlington web site where commission meeting agendas are posted, or call the Planning Department office.
on 16 Mar 2010 at 5:08 pm 3.bob herendeen said …
# How can the project be made to enhance the local business climate and increase commercial property values along Pine Street and surrounding commercial areas?
# How can the project be made to improve safety and create a more attractive environment throughout the immediate project corridor for people on foot, on bike, and in wheelchairs?
Unless the road is placed underground I am afraid these two goals are mutually contradictory in the short term. If it isn't built, in the long term the two goals are mutually supporting in a world with less car vehicle traffic and more public transport. If we build it, the long term goal is pushed farther into the future, and made more difficult to achieve.
Is it a done deal?