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  Carr Lot Redevelopment Project:
Multi-Modal Transit Center
and Confluence Park

Plans and Public Involvement
to main Works in Progress page
Carr Lot Project subsection links
Background~Main Page  |  Plans & Public Involvement  |  DRAFT Vision
Project Costs & Resources  |  Multimodal Center Application  |  Next Steps  |  Slideshow
Plans & Public Involvement page links
Parking Replacement Study  |  Bike Path Study  |  Brownfield Report  |  Open Space Forum  |  Capital District Master Plan
Draft Environmental Assessment  |  Design Charrette  |  Natural Resource/Open Space Plan  |  Bond Issue Ballot Item  |  Press Coverage  |  Contact Us

Numerous public meetings, reports, articles, forums, notices, and other measures, such as this Web site, have been used to solicit input and share information with the public about the future of the Carr Lot.   Below are examples of of the notices and documents associated with those events.
Public Meeting was held Wednesday, July 6, 2005, 7:00 p.m., at City Hall to Consider the
Montpelier Multi-Modal Transit & Welcome Center Environmental Assessment
The City of Montpelier, in association with the Federal Transit Agency as Lead Agency and the Federal Highway Administration as a Cooperating Agency, announces the availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed Montpelier Multi-modal Transit and Welcome Center for public review and comment.   An electronic copy of the EA can be downloaded from the links below.   Printed copies of the EA can be reviewed at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library at 135 Main Street or the City’s Department of Planning and Community Development Office in City Hall.  

The EA assesses the potential impacts of the four main elements of the Montpelier Multi-modal Transit and Welcome Center:
  1. The purchase of the Carr Lot on Taylor Street for development as the Transit Center;
  2. The development of the Transit Center itself;
  3. The extension of the Winooski West shared use path from its current eastern end on Taylor Street across the Transit Center site and across the railroad and new pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the North Branch River to the existing paved areas on the east side of the River; and
  4. The development of “Confluence Park” on the eastern portion of the site at the confluence of the Winooski and North Branch Rivers.
A public review session will be held at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2005.   Oral or written comments can be submitted at the session.   Written comments can also be submitted to the City’s Department of Planning and Community Development Office, City Hall, 39 Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602-2950.

Questions on the EA can be directed to Jim Donovan, ASLA, the EA Project Manager at Wilbur Smith Associates, 4076 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Vermont 05482, jdonovan@wilbursmith.com, 802-985-2530, or Valerie Capels, Director of Planning and Community Development at City Hall, 802-223-9506.

Links to Downloadable Sections of the Environmental Assessment: (each will open in separate window)
  Cover 1 page, 133 KB
  Table of Contents, List of Tables, List of Figures 6 pages, 37 KB
  1.0  Project Description and Purpose and Need 14 pages, 61 KB
  2.0 Alternatives to Proposed Action 4 pages, 32 KB
  3.0 Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action 56 pages, 179 KB
  4.0  Section 4(f) and 6(f) Evaluations 2 pages, 24 KB
  5.0 Public Involvement and Agency Coordination 2 pages, 24KB
     
  Figure 1A. Study Area 1 page, 290 KB
  Figure 1B. Monptelier's Designated Downtown 1 page, 282 KB
  Figure 1C. Transit Center Site Plan 1 page, 307 KB
  Figure 2A. Potential Transit Center Sites 1 page, 314 KB
  Figure 3A. Monptelier Parking Areas Map 1 page, 258 KB
  Figure 3B. Existing (2005) PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 1 page, 122 KB
  Figure 3C. Future (2010) No Build PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 1 page, 121 KB
  Figure 3D. Future (2010) PM Peak Hour Traffic Volumes With Center 1 page, 121 KB
  Figure 3E. Floodplains 1 page, 355 KB
  Figure 3F. Panoramic Views with and Without Center 1 page, 385 KB
  Figure 3Fa. Views of Existing Transit Center Site 1 page, 292 KB
  Figure 3G. Area of Potential Effect (APE) 1 page, 248 KB
  Figure 3H. Hazardous Materials Risk Sites 1 page, 318 KB
  Figure 3I. Hazardous Materials Risk Sites 1 page, 2, 679 KB
  Figure 3J. Excerpt from Capital District Master Plan 1 page, 241 KB
  Figure 3K. Existing Land Use 1 page, 340 KB
  Figure 3L. Bicycle & Pedestrian Circulation in Vicinity of Site 1 page, 2,212 KB
  Figure 3M. Fixed Bus Routes 1 page, 221 KB
  Figure 3N. Easterm End of Shared Use Path 1 page, 211 KB
     
  Appendix A. Carr Lot Survey 1 page, 272 KB
  Appendix B. Purpose & Need Report, March 1, 2002 41 pages, 5,541 KB
  Appendix C. Correspondence 1 page, 5 KB
 
  • Green Mountain Transit, April 29, 2005
    		• 1 page, 5,756 KB
     
  • Agency of Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife, April 11, 2005
    		• 1 page, 6,410 KB
     
  • Agency of Natural Resources, Dept. of Environmental Conservation, April 6, 2005
    		•  1 page, 6,144 KB
     
  • FHWA, E-mail from Christopher Jolly, March 24, 2005
    		• 1 page, 5,085 KB
     
  • Corps of Engineers, March 21, 2005
    		•  1 page, 5,995 KB
     
  • FEMA, March 17, 2005
    		•  1 page, 5,880 KB
     
  • Rivis E-mail, March 16, 2005
    		•  1 page, 6,507 KB
     
  • CVRPC, March 14, 2005
    		•  1 page, 6,427 KB
     
  • City memo, March 10, 2005
    		•  5 pages, 69,131 KB
      Appendix D. Site Plan Alternatives 1 page, 5 KB
     
  • Scheme A
    		•  1 page, 350 KB
     
  • Scheme B
    		•  1 page, 346 KB
     
  • Scheme C
    		•  1 page, 391 KB
     
  • Scheme D
    		•  1 page, 414 KB
      Appendix E. Section 106 Evaluation 80 pages, 12,617 KB
     
  • SHPO letter, May 25, 2005
    		• 6 pages 21,071 KB
      Appendix F. Public Involvement Summaries 1 page, 6 KB
     
  • Excerpt from Capital District Master Plan, 2000
    		• 6 pages, 44 KB
     
  • Winooski West Path Public Work Session, September 5, 2001
    		• 2 pages, 5,775 KB
     
  • Winooski West Path Public Work Session, February 19, 2002
    		• 2 pages, 5,419 KB
     
  • City Council Minutes Excerpt, March 23, 2005
    		• 3 pages, 12 KB
     
  • City Council Minutes Excerpt, March 30, 2005
    		• 14 pages, 33 KB
     
  • City Council Minutes Excerpt, April 13, 2005
    		• 2 pages, 10 KB
     
  • City Council Minutes Excerpt, April 19, 2005
    		• 7 pages, 24 KB
     
  • City Council Minutes Excerpt, May 4, 2005
    		• 5 pages, 16 KB
      Appendix G. Involved Agencies Circulation Lists 4 pages, 6 KB
    ...back to top
    Carr Lot Welcome & Multi-Modal Transit Center
    Public Work Session
    Wednesday, March 16, 2005
    7:00 p.m., City Hall
    Work on the proposed Transit & Welcome Center is progressing. On Wednesday, March 16, 2005, the City will hold a public work session to discuss alternate site plans for the transit center. The results of this exercise will be the basis of City Council discussions in the next few weeks. The City needs to finalize its initial concepts for the site, so that the application and approval process with the Federal Agencies can continue. Please join us in helping to convert this site into a vibrant welcome and transit center with green space.

    Refreshments will be served.

    Contact The Montpelier Planning Dept at
    223-9506 or Jim Donovan at jdonovan@wilbursmith.com if you have questions.

    More information can also be found at http://www.montpelier-vt.org/wip/carrlot.
    back to top
    Parking Replacement Study
    The Carr Lot Committee calculated that approximately 130 parking spaces would be displaced with the construction of a welcome and multi-modal transit center and park.  Wilbur Smith Associates was hired in 2004 to study alternative locations within the downtown to accommodate this displaced parking.  Through a process of elimination, analysis, and public input, two sites remained as potential locations for a parking structure that would accommodate the displaced parking.  Below are links to their report and its associated attachments. 

    Final Carr Lot Replacement Parking Report and attachments
    Full Report (very large file) 19,615 KB, 95 pages
    Figure_1. Potential Parking Replacement Areas Near the Carr Lot 91 KB, 1 page
    Figure_2. Typical Layout for Efficiency 162 KB, 1 page
    Figure_3. Capitol Plaza Parking Lot Existing Conditions 161 KB, 1 page
    Figure_4. North Branch Parking Lot Existing Conditions 89 KB, 1 page
    Figure_5. Capitol Plaza Potential Parking Structure - First Level 201 KB, 1 page
    Figure_6. Capitol Plaza Potential Parking Structure-Second Level 251 KB, 1 page
    Figure_7. Capitol Plaza Structure - Taylor Street Simulation 69 KB, 1 page
    Figure_8. Capitol Plaza Structure - State Street Photo Simulation 99 KB, 1 page
    Figure_9. North Branch Potential Structure - Typical First Level 97 KB, 1 page
    Figure_10. North Branch #1 Potential Structure - Second Level 135 KB, 1 page
    Figure_11. North Branch #2 Potential Structure - Second Level 163 KB, 1 page
    Figure_12. North Branch Potential Structure - Photo Simulation 122 KB, 1 page
    Figure_13. Capital/Carr #1 Parking Structure - Third Level 103 KB, 1 page
    Figure_14. Capital/Carr #2 Parking Structure - Third Level 102 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_A_parking_studies_summary 55 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_B_Initial_Sites_Under_Consideration 55 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_C_General_Survey 515 KB, 2 pages
    Appendix_C_General_Survey_Results 263 KB, 10 pages
    Appendix_C_Carr_Lot_Survey 382 KB, 2 pages
    Appendix_C_Carr_Lot_Survey_Results 259 KB, 7 pages
    Appendix_D_First_Public_Work_Session 1,840 KB, 4 pages
    Appendix_D_Public_Work_Session 1,890 KB, 4 pages
    Appendix_E_Public_Meeting_May_27 1,926 KB, 6 pages
    Appendix_F_City_Council_Presentation 2,185 KB, 6 pages
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_1 54 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_2 91 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_3 80 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_4 101 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_5 63 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_6 93 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_7 54 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_8 61 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_10 61 KB, 1 page
    Appendix_G_Photo_Simulation_11 66 KB, 1 page
    transmittal_letter 3,694 KB, 1 page

    Carr Lot/Transit Center
    Public Work Session
    Tuesday, January 13, 2004, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., City Hall

    Aerial Photo of Carr Lot
    Click on photo for larger overview
    If a Welcome and Transit Center is built on what is now a parking lot and the Vermont Transit bus station site on Taylor Street, up to 130 parking spaces would need to be replaced somewhere else in the vicinity. Jim Donovan of Wilbur Smith Associates will present preliminary findings of where those displaced parking spaces could be relocated and seek feedback from the public.

    A survey is in the process of being distributed to help us better understand the needs and preferences of downtown parkers. Surveys can be obtained at City Hall, from various downtown businesses, and can be downloaded HERE in MSWord (102 KB) or HERE in Adobe Acrobat ( 282 KB). Completed surveys should be mailed or dropped off at City Hall by Tuesday, January 20, 2004. Those downloaded in Word can be completed and e-mailed back to us at planning@montpelier-vt.org
    Parking Survey in MS Word, (102 KB)
    Parking Survey in PDF ( 282KB) .
    The meeting is expected to be broadcast on local Adelphia cable channel 17. For more information contact the Montpelier Planning & Community Development Department at planning@montpelier-vt.org.


    Bike Path Conceptual Alignment Analysis
    In December 2002, Wilbur Smith Associates completed the conceptual alignment analysis for the continuation of the Winooski West Bike Path, which studies the range of potential routes for continuing the bike path from where it ends at Taylor Street, across the Carr Lot, over the North Branch River, to Main Street, and ultimately connecting to the Winooski East Bike Path on Stone Cutters Way.  A key part of this path segment is expected to be included in the multi-modal transit center/confluence park project. A more complete description of the entire bike path project as well a copy of the report can be found at http://www.montpelier-vt.org/wip/bikepaths.


    Metcalf & Eddy Targeted Brownfields Assessment Report
     In August 2002, the firm of Metcalf & Eddy completed their Target Brownfields Assessment (TBA) report under the Environmental Protection Agency's Response Action Contract (whatever that is).  The report and all figures, tables, and appendices is a good 3/4 inches thick.  The 23-page report can be downloaded HERE in PDF (1,818 KB).



    Open Space Community Forum
    The Montpelier Conservation Commission held an Open Space Community Forum on December 14, 2000 to discuss the residents' values and objectives concerning open space. The preservation of open space was recognized as an important value and the Carr Lot was identified as an important parcel during this community discussion.

    Capital District Master Plan
    The CDMP, adopted by the City Council, Montpelier Planning Commission, and City-State Commission, in 2000, created a greenway plan for the Winooski Riverfront Corridor and addressed the feasibility of a multi-modal transportation center and visitor center.

    This Plan was developed with the input and involvement of numerous parties including representatives from the State of Vermont, the City of Montpelier, many public and private organizations, and a wide range of citizens.
    Carr Lot Design Charrette
    The Montpelier Conservation Commission sponsored a day-long Carr Lot Design Charrette on September 25, 2001. Citizen participants voiced their ideas for the property including specific suggestions for the design of park open space and the transportation center. These ideas and suggestions were translated into detailed drawings by professional architects and incorporated into a report, which received further public discussion.

    Natural Resource Inventory & Open Space Plan
    The Montpelier Conservation Commission and the City Parks department are in the process of completing a Natural Resource Inventory and Open Space Plan that identifies, maps, and prioritizes parcels of land in Montpelier for future preservation. The Carr Lot property is part of this inventory and a related Views and Vistas report identifies the Carr Lot as having very high visual importance.
    Bond Issue Ballot Item
    A petition to get this bond issue on the ballot was signed by over ____ registered voters and passed at the March 2002 Annual meeting by a citywide vote of 1,286 to 1,042.  As a result, the City Council has been authorized to bond for up to $800,000 for the acquisition and redevelopment of the Carr Lot.

    Press Coverage
    There have been several articles in the local Times-Argus and Montpelier Bridge newspapers that have informed the public about the Carr Lot project.
    Letters to the Editor
    Numerous letters to the Editor have also been published in the local Times-Argus, some of which are listed below.
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    For More Information, contact
    City of Montpelier
    39 Main Street, City Hall
    Montpelier, VT 05062-2950
    Beverlee Hill, Assistant City Manager
    (802) 223-9512
    bhill@montpelier-vt.org     		  City of Montpelier
    Planning and Community
          Development Department
    39 Main Street, City Hall
    Montpelier, VT 05062-2950
    (802) 223-9506
    planning@montpelier-vt.org
    Carr Lot Advisory Committee
    39 Main Street, City Hall
    Montpelier, VT 05062-2950
    Jon Anderson, Chair
    janderson@vtlaw1.com     		  Conservation Commission
    39 Main Street, City Hall
    Montpelier, VT 05062-2950
    Kris Hammer, Co-Chair

    Updated November 9, 2005
     
    Please send comments to: webmaster@montpelier-vt.org

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