Executive Directors Report

By Nancy Wood

Creative Slogans Celebrate, Poke Fun at Burlington

Considerable interest has been generated by our recent “call for slogans” to complement the Burlington Region Branding Project, a collaboration between  BBA and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. Many BBA members responded directly, while articles in the Burlington Free Press and Seven Days have inspired many more.  The Branding Committee is sorting through them all, looking for the gems.  I thought you’d enjoy reading a few of your colleagues’ (and your own) submissions.  There isn’t room for all of them here, and I’ve left off the authors’ names for objectivity.  Which do you think evokes the “brand personality” of Burlington as described in the branding research as “Quirky-Hip, Friendly-Inclusive, Optimistic-Creative, Surprisingly Diverse, Relaxed-but never Staid?”

Burlington, Vermont… The Green Clean Happenin’ Scene

Burlington, Vermont – Totally Thrillaxed.

"Vermont, and then some!"
There’s the East Coast and there’s the West Coast.  And now there’s a Third Coast.  Burlington on Lake Champlain.
Burlington.  Where  Vermont meets the Rest of the World.

BURLINGTON.  (even Ben and Jerry weren’t born here)

Burlington:  It’s cool up here.

BURLINGTON..........Always Fresh,  Sometimes Frozen

Burlington - The Colorful Gem of New England's West Coast

Burlington “Real. Live. Fun.”  

Burling-ton-o-fun 

Burlington “local beauty, worldly feel”

Stop looking - it's all in Burlington

Burlington “The littlest big city”

Burlington “Live Music Capital of the Northeast”

London, Paris, Honolulu, Burlington 

Burlington - Find yourself there

“We’re well seasoned”

Burlington Vermont ... OUTside & INspired

Close to where You want to be

Catch a phish in Lake Champlain 

Healthy living; mind, body and soul. 

Burlington - Everything City with Small Town Charm

Burlington, a mix of nature, culture and diversity
Wine and Dine, but wear your green
Crystal clear throughout the year!
Feed your Soul in our green surroundings
Maple Syrup is not all we have to offer!
Big lights, small city
Diversity rules, outsiders drool

Burlington, VT.  Natural living.  Unnaturally fun

“Burlington Vermont, where the lake sings to the mountains.”

Burlington…“We’ve Got Your Season”

Relax - You're in Burlington 

“Wow!... who knew!”

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about the various discussions underway around the Zoning Ordinance and the Transportation Plan that have included pressures on the City to reduce the number of parking spaces in downtown, or to reduce requirements for parking to accommodate new commercial and residential development. 

This is contrary to the recommendations of the 2003 Downtown Burlington Parking Study by Wilbur Smith Associates that projected the need for 1540 new spaces by 2020 assuming perimeter parking lots and the use of  “strategies which increase efficiency and reduce demand.”  Without those strategies the anticipated demand is for 3500 new spaces.

Demand for parking is related to a number of factors. A strong and growing economy - necessary for a healthy commercial tax base -  increases demand as more customers,

tourists and employees come into downtown from other parts of the City and the region.  That demand can be moderated if some of these employees, customers - and residents, too - are willing to use alternatives to the auto.  But there is a delicate balance between maintaining  economic vitality and encouraging alternatives. We do not want to chase away the businesses that help this City thrive.

On the other hand, there also is a critical need for housing in Burlington, and BBA has been a supporter of more downtown housing since the early 1990’s.  Erik Hoekstra, development manager at Redstone, commented, “Surface parking is a terrible use of the parcel at Brown's Court… There are few opportunities for infill

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BBA Board responds to parking concerns

        - Nancy