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without public hearing. But BBA believes the public—residents and business neighbors—need to have the chance to consider the many questions that have been raised about this project in this proposed location: 

1. Is this an appropriate location for this program for female offenders just released from prison? It is right in the middle of downtown, within walking distance of more than 50 bars and nightclubs.  What will the residents do for recreation in the evenings and on the weekends?

2. Is this an appropriate use of this property, in a major shopping district next to Burlington Town Center, on an important pedestrian link between the Church Street Marketplace and the Waterfront?

3. Is this the best use for this particular house, which was saved from demolition because of its historic significance to Burlington? Will the renovations and addition change its historic value?

4. Will the Vermont Department of Corrections provide enough annual funding for staff to supervise and assist the women, and guarantee the safety and security both of the residents and the public seven days a week, 24 hours a day?

5. What will be the impact of this program on city services – especially police services – and on other social services already in downtown Burlington ?

 

At their February 23 meeting the BBA Board of Directors passed the following position statement about the project:

 

 The proposal by the Northern Lights Consortium to site a transitional housing project for released female offenders at 76-78 Cherry Street, and the State's proposal to move the acute care psychiatric

Is Cherry Street the right location for this transitional housing project?

The “Varney House” at 76—78 Cherry Street is the proposed site for the Northern Lights transitional housing for released female offenders.                             - Picture by Nancy Williams, Executive Director, Preservation Burlington

hospital from Waterbury to Fletcher Allen have raised questions about the capacity for Burlington to absorb additional social services, especially in the Downtown area. 

Downtown is currently home to a number of programs serving troubled youth and people who have a variety of issues including homelessness, mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction – including a needle exchange program - plus Probation & Parole, the courts and state offices.

The BBA Board recommends that prior to the location of any new social services in the Downtown area there be a comprehensive public process that includes a study of the impact on the city's economy and budget, on residents, on the business community, on the Community Outreach Program and other existing social services, on the organizations that provide financial support for these services, and on city services.

For more information or to share your comments, call or e-mail: the Northern Lights Consortium Coordinator, Holly Wilkinson-Ray: 846-7063, hwr@gmavt.net; the Burlington Planning Department, 865-7188; or BBA 863-1175, NancyWoodBBA@aol.com.