Text Box: The Downtowner is published quarterly by the Burlington Business Association, a non-profit membership organization. Board of Directors: Tim Halvorson, Chair, Andréa Sisino, Vice Chair, Sherry Prehoda, Treasurer, Lesli Blount, Marie Bouffard, Becky Cassidy, Paula Coletti, Phelan Fretz, Libby Harden, Tom Leavitt, Sparky Millikin, Fran Mount, Jeff Nick, Rick Norcross, Kevin Owens, Lori Smith, Peter Straube Executive Director: Nancy Wood Office Administrator: Denise Sortor Tel 802-863-1175 Fax 802-658-5866 110 Main Street, Suite 3B Burlington, VT 05401 www.bbavt.org © October 2006 Burlington Business Assoc. Text Box: Volume 13 Issue 3 Text Box: Fall 2006 Text Box: BBA Meetings & Special Events Thurs, Nov 2 - 7:30 AM—9 AM: Membership meeting at the Burlington Police Department WED, Dec 6 - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Holiday Party at 60 Lake Street Thurs, Jan 11 - 7:30 AM - 10 AM BBA’s 5th Annual Business Summit at the Wyndham For information and reservations call 863-1175 or e-mail: bbavt@aol.com Current Calendar is at: www.bbavt.org

The Downtowner

BBA Downtown Action Group Tackles Infrastructure Improvements

During 2006 and 2007 the BBA’s Downtown Action Group (DAG)  is engaging downtown property owners and businesses in a participatory process that builds ownership in and a shared vision for capital improvements in the downtown district.

The City has access to $9 million in federal SAFETEA funds for infrastructure improvements in downtown Burlington, specifically for the Church Street Marketplace, the streets immediately adjacent to the Marketplace and the Waterfront.  The City is seeking public input in the planning process for these improvements, guided by the following principles:

1.   Burlington’s Marketplace, Downtown and Waterfront will be

economically strengthened through continued public improvements and private investments;

2.   The infrastructure improvements provided on the Waterfront will ensure safer pedestrian and vehicular access;

3.   The amenities of the Marketplace will be extended to other parts of the downtown and the waterfront;

4.   Consideration will be given to improvements that can be well maintained and managed.

The DAG is focusing on the SIDE STREETS of Church Street Marketplace: Main, College, Bank, Cherry and Pearl between South Winooski Avenue and St. Paul Streets, including the areas in and around Burlington Town Center.  $3 million of the federal SAFETEA funds

(Continued on page 3)

Can a single idea sum up the Champlain Valley?” That headline in the July 10 issue of Business Monday helped raise awareness of the Burlington Region Branding Project. 

The State of Vermont has invested heavily in the state brand, which has established a beautiful image of Vermont based on our rural landscape and picturesque villages.  But does the Vermont brand capture the uniqueness of our region? Do the

words “Champlain Valley” capture the lively culture, vital economy, historic features that make the Burlington area special within the context of Vermont? 

BBA has partnered with the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce in an ambitious effort to develop a consistent, unified vision of our unique region through place branding.

Fundraising for the project in now underway.  If you are interested in helping please let us know!

Fundraising underway for

Burlington Region Branding