Burlington Business Association

110 Main Street, Suite 3B

Burlington, Vermont 05401

The voice of Burlington business

The Graffiti Crisis continues...

The City Council has approved a new ordinance that may help deter the graffiti vandals who have been defacing buildings new and old in Burlington.  A note from Walt Decker, Deputy Chief at the BPD: “We do catch a small percentage, but the real most important component is immediate clean up!  I was in Philly recently and during my early morning walk I saw at least two different painters with open cans and brushes going around at the major sites at my hotel and the nearby museums just making sure nothing new had appeared the night before.  It was part of the planned routine according to the night staff, just like watering flowers and empting garbage.”

Also, there are protective coatings that can be used that make clean up much easier. Angie Spong, the anti-graffiti coordinator at CEDO suggests

(Continued on page 4)

Planning underway for $3 million “Side Streets” improvements Project

Public comment invited at 2 meetings scheduled for June 26:

8:30 -10:00 AM and 5:30—7:00 PM in Contois Auditorium

The City has scheduled two “local concerns meetings” on June 26 at City Hall to solicit input on transportation infrastructure improvements to the Side Streets on either side of the Church Street Marketplace.  Possible amenities could include lighting, textured walkways, public art, benches, wider sidewalks at corners, signage, and more.  The City will provide a 20% match to federal earmarks for this $3 million project that will complement an additional $3 million in improvements on the Marketplace, and the $3.5 million project on the Waterfront in the area near the College and Lake Street intersection.

A goal of the Side Street project is to extend the “feel” of the Church Street Marketplace to adjacent streets, enhancing the pedestrian experience and the economic viability of the entire area.  The Downtown Action Group of the BBA has spent several meetings brainstorming about possible improvements and how they fit into an overall vision for long-term downtown improvements.

You are encouraged to get involved NOW!  For more information about this project and the public meetings you can call CEDO at 865-7284.

Can pigs fly?  The Northfield Savings Bank mascot was spotted perched on the Flynn marquis during the Discover Jazz Festival. What fabulous music!

Page 6