Three groups supporting two Election Day ballot questions related to the proposed Burlington Town Center project have spent more than $30,000 trying to get them passed, campaign filings show.
The Partnership for Burlington’s Future, a political action committee, has spent $15,430, finance reports filed October 28 show. Together for Progress registered as a public question committee — meaning it spent cash for political purposes but did not raise any. It spent $9,539, according to a filing from November 2. And BTC Mall Associates, another public question committee, spent $5,586, an October 28 filing shows.
The groups hope voters approve ballot items No. 3, which would create a downtown zoning district allowing taller buildings, and No. 4, which would allow the city to bond $21.8 million in tax increment financing for street improvements around the district.
The Partnership for Burlington’s Future, a PAC created by Mayor Miro Weinberger, has also spent to support ballot items No. 1 and No. 2, which would authorize spending for capital improvements and water pipeline updates and replacement.
Together for Progress involves the Burlington Business Association, AARP, Local Motion, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. The BBA is funding its costs, said its executive director, Kelly Devine.
Filings show the group spent money on fliers and brochures, advertisements, bumper stickers, buttons and T-shirts, along with food and a public address system, likely for a Pop-up Beer Hall event held last week inside the Burlington Town Center.
Don Sinex, the mall’s owner, is behind BTC Mall Associates. He’s spent on advertisements online and in print. The passing of both ballot initiatives would allow him to go forward with his proposed $250 million mall redevelopment. The mixed-use building would rise 14 stories — about 160 feet — if the new zoning ordinance is passed. His ads tout “the new Burlington Town Center,” but do not specifically advocate for “yes” votes on the ballot initiatives.
Opponents of the TIF and zoning change questions have rallied under the banner of the Coalition for a Livable City. The group registered as a PAC in late June. Its members have has raised $8,755 and spent about $7,327, a report filed Friday says. The coalition spent on advertisements, printing, postage and copies.
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Miro’s campaign to give the developer of the 14 story mall $22 Million and eliminate zoning for his project is all glossy high priced color mailings and food giveaways. The vote no on #3 & #4 campaign appears to be much more authentic, grass roots and based on facts. It troubles me that anyone thinks Burlington voters can be bought the way Mayor Weinberger apparently believes they can.
When’s the last time…or first…that you ever saw a mayor or elected official have to form a PAC and raise nearly $30,000 to support a simple zoning change? How about NEVER! They already get free publicity at every City meeting and all the PR they should need in the news coverage.
This shows the lunacy of the proposal. And the strong-arm tactics they’re using to push it through.
Vote “NO” on ballot items 3 and 4!
Still not sure? Read Ben Cohen’s (founder of Ben and Jerry’s) comment on the proposal at this link, along with an image of the impact on the Burlington skyline:
http://www.coalitionforalivablecityvt.org/…
Wait, you want us to value the opinion of the multi-millionaire ice cream magnate, on an urban planning issue? Sure, the guy made millions promoting and selling frozen fat and sugar and became a celebrity. But did I miss the part where he majored in architecture or urban planning at Groovy UV? Why do you cite this guy’s opinion on urban planning as if it were more important than the average guy’s on the street? He’s an authority on ice cream and capitalism, not urban planning as far as I know. Why does it matter what he thinks on this issue?
Ben Cohen has been a leader in getting big money out of politics for decades. And THAT is what is REALLY happening here. This project is to benefit the developer, the connected, and the wealthy.
Yes, one would be wise to listen to Ben Cohen.
The Coalition for a Livable City (CLC) comprised a local citizens and volunteers gathers help from a Fund Me drive and individual contributions–no corporate, big business gifts. BTC Associates is Don Sinex, equals corporation. Together for Progress is the epitome of the larger business community driven group with many smaller businesses opposed to the Mall project–afraid to express their opinion for fear of reprisal, or both. The Mayor’s PAC has corporation money left over from past campaigns and started off with $1,000 corporate donation from Citizen Cider.
In order for this to succeed financially, it would seem the project ultimately must generate tens of millions of additional dollars in revenue coming from outside the city limits of Burlington in order to succeed. And what about the Lost Revenue the next few years due to construction downtown? And what about the fact that the internet has disrupted and destroyed many malls across the United States? It seems that Burlington is a fading City because of lack of jobs and exploding government expenses. not because of lack of Office Space. “Build it, and they will come” may not be a sound business model for Burlington!
I’m all for growth of the city, but I wish someone could articulate answers to the above. And please don’t say TIF, TIF only works if people from outside the city of Burlington moved into the City of Burlington, and property values don’t decrease. Otherwise it’s a wash. Please, no more flyers or fluffy economists, just real numbers and answers! Thanks.
Ben Cohen built a big box store on Route 100 — a museum to himself, really. On what’s best for Burlington, I’ll trust the judgment of Burlington’s current mayor and former Progressive mayor Peter Clavelle, over a big box developer in Waterbury.
Are these tall building really necessary for the people of Burlington or for Mayor Miro Weinberger and the elite..Who’s pockets are being lined??? Who’s going to benefit more?? Don’t think it will be the citizens..