The bond would advance a proposal to bury power lines, widen sidewalks, plant street trees, create a dedicated bike lane, and overhaul water and sewer infrastructure on a three-quarter mile stretch of Main. The section begins at a railroad bridge just north of the Winooski traffic circle and continues uphill to Tigan Street, just before Exit 16 of Interstate 89.
The idea is to make the heavily trafficked corridor more pedestrian-friendly and vibrant, with features that are similar to the ones on the lower stretch of Main.
Approval of the bond would be a “yellow light” for the Main Street reconstruction project, according to city manager Jessie Baker. It would allow the city council to apply for grants and explore funding in greater detail before making a final decision.
“We can’t put together a definitive funding package until the community decides that this is something that they want to do,” Baker said.
The council would weigh all the options and costs and then decide whether to proceed, she said. The earliest construction could start is spring of 2020.
The city has held several meetings about the project, including a community dinner that brought out 150 people last week. Some were supportive, others worried about the price tag.
“I think people are excited about the project and realizing the community vision,” said Baker, “and I think there’s concern about the impact to the tax rate. We’ll have to see what the voters decide.”
The council estimates a 4 to 6 percent increase in municipal taxes if the project happens. On a home priced at $225,000, that translates to an increase of about $150 a year. Municipal water and wastewater rates would increase around 2.5 percent, according to preliminary estimates.
The city is looking at many funding options, including federal loans. It might also establish a 1 percent local options tax on rooms, meals and alcohol to help pay off borrowing for the project. That would generate around $150,000 annually, according to Baker.
The redesign is intended to make the gateway artery more inviting, especially as new development pops up there. One new apartment building was recently completed on Main and another is nearly complete.
Meanwhile, the proposed Strand concert venue and office/retail building at the corner of West Allen and Main is on hold, Baker said. Redstone, the Burlington-based developers of the project, have had trouble obtaining financing for the building, according to Baker.
Still, she’s confident about the potential of the prominent corner site.
“Redstone owns the parcel and has done a lot of interesting development here in Winooski,” Baker said. “I’m sure they will identify another exciting project for our community.”
Another meeting on the bond vote will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Winooski City Hall.
Voting will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Winooski Senior Center on Barlow Street. See full details on the city website.
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Is this really a good financial investment, given Patrick Leahy and the Democratic Party’s insistence on basing the F-35 fighter jet at Burlington International Airport has put virtually the entire city of Winooski in the new “not suitable for residential use” zone? How many properties may need to be bought out by the Federal Aviation Authority? How many tenants other than the most heavy, industrial uses will want to line up for space that they know is already deemed “not suitable for residential use”?
Not sure what the trouble is behind Redstone obtaining financing but I would expect lending banks are being forced to look very closely at the reality of the F-35 fighter jet and its negative impact on Winooski.
The Vermont Democratic Party’s military Keynesianism giveth; and it also taketh away.
@Chris in S. Burlington
Not sure what the trouble is behind Redstone obtaining financing but I would expect lending banks are being forced to look very closely at the reality of the F-35 fighter jet and its negative impact on Winooski.
Chris, maybe banks are wondering how a venue can survive with no parking anywhere near it. It’s not the
F-35’s.
Wow. $23,000,000 for just 3/4 of a mile. Someone will be laughing all the way to the bank and it won’t be the Winooski taxpayers. And I’ll bet you another $23,000,000 that the price of this project will only go up once it is started , ala the Vermont Gas pipeline scam. Then property taxes will rise even further, chasing out any lower income folks. Enjoy gentrification as it creeps across the Winooski bridge from Burlington.
I hate to break it to you, Winooski, but the Chittenden Money Elites don’t see your Main Street as a feeder to your downtown, it is a feeder to Burlington. Miro and the Chamber of Commerce have an “All Roads Lead to Rome” attitude when it comes to Burlington being the economic/cultural power in the state. Winooski is only to be an appendage to Burlington.
As other posters have observed, you can enjoy all of this new, shiny, “vibrancy” while those F-35’s roar overhead gently glazing you and your kids with their jet exhaust. Nothing like having a fancy-pants condo overlooking the river while living under the flight path of the airport. Plus free asthma to boot!!
The Tumor is only getting bigger.
Since the debate about the Main Street Project seems to be all about the F-35, why stop there, run VTANG off, and while you’re at it close down Burlington International Airport; let some other communities deal with what comes with airports. Vermonters can always drive to Albany, New York, Boston, or Montreal if it’s really necessary to use air transportation. Those nice long flat runways would be ideal for flea markets, craft fairs, maybe even a few cannabis swap festivals.