A crisp fall evening on the banks of Lake Champlain was the perfect setting for the warmth and celebration of the 2009 Smart Growth Awards event. Close to 130 community members, town and state officials and representatives from our Congressional leadership gathered to honor the award winners.

Rob Woolmington of North Bennington graciously accepted the Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership, recalling memories of how Art Gibb influenced his career.

Three projects and one plan also received awards and are star examples of how cities and villages can incorporate affordable homes, commercial space, and renovate for high energy efficiency while bringing historic Vermont structures back to life.

For more information about this year's and past award recipients, visit the Smart Growth Awards section of our website.

Community Update: Ferrisburgh

Ferrisburgh residents are working to protect their Route 7 corridor and village center. For the last year, Smart Growth Vermont has assisted the Friends of Ferrisburgh for Responsible Growth in voicing their concerns over a large truck stop and restaurant complex proposed for the southern end of town. Other townspeople are acting as an advisory group and working with the Planning Commission to update the town's zoning standards for their highway corridor and update the town’s bylaws to encourage small-scale new businesses compatible with the town's rural character.

This citizen advisory committee conducted a survey of the property owners along the Route 7 corridor. Almost half the surveys were returned and indicated that the community wants more viable businesses and that people care about the character and appearance of those businesses. A consensus is clearly emerging in the community for sensible planning along Route 7. See their web page for a summary of the survey results.

Shop to Support Smart Growth Vermont

Are you getting an early start on holiday shopping? If so, then show your support for Smart Growth Vermont and enjoy a day of discounted shopping too! Macy's Department Store is offering $5 coupons to support local nonprofit organizations. All you have to do is call (802-864-6310) or email Serena to receive your coupon, which can be redeemed at any Macy's store across the country this Saturday, October 17. The coupon offers up to 25% in savings and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. So, invest $5 in Smart Growth Vermont and have fun shopping at your local Macy's!

Vermont climate change activist and founder of 350.org,

Bill McKibben, is hosting an international day of climate action on Saturday, October 24. In response to this call to action, Vermont 350 Dance Party encourages folks across the state to boogie down for climate change. The event will take place at Higher Ground, in Burlington, with two great bands performing. The event will also be simulcast on UStream and on cable. So, get your friends and family together and tune in to take climate action! Details are at the Vermont 350 Dance Party website.

Also, check out Upcoming Events on our website! You'll find information about conferences, lectures and presentations on a wide variety of topics.

Smart Growth in Action: Bike Lanes Enhance Transportation Options

The healthiest communities facilitate transportation options by providing sidewalks, sheltered bus stops and park and ride stations. By creating dedicated bike lanes, communities can help create a sense of confidence that bicycling is a safe and viable alternative to other forms of transportation.

Traveling by bicycle is a great way for people to save money, exercise, and reduce air pollution. By recognizing the special challenges cyclists face, cities and towns can support the use of bicycles as an alternative form of transportation by funding safe and convenient travel routes along the most popular and heavily travelled roadways. This is one way cities and towns can help ensure that cycling is a safe and viable transportation option.

In the past few years, many communities have increased or added bike lanes. The Burlington bike path and the South Burlington recreation path create important connections to keep cycling safe where there are busy roadways not conducive to bike lanes. As a result, cycle commuting has become increasingly more popular.

Grants from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTRANS) to design and construct sidewalk and bike lanes have made them affordable options in towns such as Hartford. In addition to VTRANS, towns interested in creating bike lanes can get a wealth of information from statewide non-profit organizations such as Local Motion and the VT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition.

Community Spotlight: Rutland

Photo courtesy of Downtown Rutland Partnership.

Rutland, in the southern end of the Champlain Valley, is the second largest city in Vermont with a downtown area that is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.

Rutland's economic growth was fueled by the rail system and the marble industry and the city once flourished as an industrial and cultural center. As the marble industry declined, Rutland turned to the services and tourism industry in an effort to carve out a new identity.

Rutland area residents and businesses take great interest in the local food and energy movement. The Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL), a newly formed organization, works to strengthen regional food sytems in order to sustain long term food security. A local farmers market which runs year round is a popular addition to the community. On the energy front, businesses like Vermont Wood Pellet, which sources wood from within a thirty mile radius, has taken its local energy initiative one step further by supplying energy to customers within a fifty mile radius. Central Vermont Power Supply, the largest electric company in Vermont, recently invested $50,000 to build a 50-kilowatt solar array along Route 7 to feed directly into the grid.

Rutland Redevelopment Authority is taking steps to retain its strong connection to the rail industry, thanks to a Municipal Planning Grant that will enable the City to relocate the rail line from just behind the town center to a site further south of the city. Not only will the new site increase the capacity and efficiency of the yard, but it will also reduce truck congestion and allow for further development of Rutland’s historic central business district.

Burlington Seeks Input on City's Future

The Burlington Planning Commission's Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) is looking for community input on what planning issues to discuss regarding the future of Burlington’s downtown and waterfront areas. After a resolution is passed by the City Council, the Planning Commission will create a “Scope of Work” for the Downtown Burlington Plan. They have held two public meetings since August and several more are planned in the next three months. Give them your opinion on “what issues a downtown plan should focus on; what studies or research might be most helpful to better understand and address these issues; and what public participation opportunities should be built into the process of developing the downtown plan.” For more information on meeting dates, visit the City of Burlington's website.

Funding Awarded for Renovation in Downtown Springfield

Governor Jim Douglas recently announced that the State of Vermont will provide $750,000 in grant funds for a major renovation project in downtown Springfield.

The funds will allow One Hundred River Street, LLC to re-develop the former Fellows Gear Shaper/PVDC facility, which has been vacant for several years. This project will help improve downtown social and commercial vitality, as well as create jobs.

Green Mountain Coffee Makes Solar Investment

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is working to improve their environmental impact by installing 572 solar panels on the roof of their distribution center in downtown Waterbury, Vermont. The company installed the panels in collaboration with GroSolar, Vermont’s Clean Energy Development Fund and Green Mountain Power. Read more.

DC Invests for Bike Commuters

Washington D.C. is working to improve transportation options for commuters by building a Bikestation outside of the Metro subway exit at Union Station. The shelter is a futuristic dome-shaped building equipped to hold up to 130 bikes, with lockers and even a small repair shop. The project provides a secure storage area for commuters arriving from outside areas and encourages a healthier lifestyle. The Bikestation opens in October. User will pay a daily or annual fee. Learn more about the D.C. Bike Shelter.

USDA Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Program Launched

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsak, recently announced the launch of a new program aimed at expanding the conversation on the importance of local food systems.

The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Program offers a website to be used as a hub for sharing ideas, stories and to offer resources for linking local producers with consumers. If you use social media tools like Facebook and Twitter, you can become a fan and follow the discussion and help increase awareness on the benefits of supporting local foods. Check it out!

Portland Touts "Eco-Districts"

The City of Portland Oregon is adopting an “eco-district” policy to work toward greening whole neighborhoods. Instead of having a random scattering of green buildings throughout the city, an “eco-district” will allow buildings to be more efficient by sharing resources. Some examples include multi-building heating systems and rainwater reuse systems. Two pilot projects are underway at Portland State University and Lloyd Crossing neighborhood. City officials hope the new policy will also appeal to developers marketing to green-conscious consumers. Read more.

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E-News October 2009

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