A weekly brief on what we're watching – so you don't have to.
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April 8, 2022
This is your BBA Brief, a quick look at issues on the horizon for Team BBA.
We'll give a lowdown of issues of importance to you and your business that we're watching this week. Join the discussion or rest easy knowing we're on the case advocating for our members and a vibrant Burlington.
Happy Friday,
-CH
State of the City: “Remains Strong, and is Getting Stronger Every Day” - Mayor Weinberger
Monday night Mayor Weinberger delivered the annual state of the city speech.
The Mayor’s speech covered economic recovery; children and families; racial equity and justice; infrastructure; housing; public safety; and the climate emergency and can be read in full here. Below are some key takeaways for BBA members.
Economic Recovery: Creating a new city department from the ad-hoc economic recovery team with a $500k revolving loan fund focused on helping vulnerable locally-owned small businesses – including start-ups, BIPOC- and women-owned companies.
Public Safety: The Mayor acknowledged that last summer there were too many disturbances that impacted residents and visitors downtown and made workers feel unsafe at night. He announced a multi-department effort to improve downtown safety. Two specific plans included a rebuilding plan for BPD staffing and efforts to continue to build the Community Support Liaison program including plans funding 2 more CSL positions in next year's budget.
It’s clear members’ concerns have been heard by the Mayor. We’re eager to see BPD and city plans for downtown safety this summer and will keep members informed of all resources available. It is too early to know if the new council will actually support real actions to rebuild the department though. Not to mention Chief Murad continues to serve in an acting capacity.
Housing: Complete three major zoning efforts (Trinity Campus, South End Enterprise Innovation Zone, and “missing-middle”) over the next 15 months, creation of a housing metrics dashboard, and a new Special Assistant to End Homelessness position.
BBA continues to believe and advocate for more housing of all types to address the crisis. We are focused on zoning efforts that could allow for the creation of thousands of more units of housing. While advocating for those zoning changes we are also concerned councilors could add further regulations (like parking maximums) marking it difficult to build more housing. Let’s make it legal to build more housing in btv NOW.
Save the Date - Cocktails with Kelly
Thursday April 28th at 5pm
The BBA continues our monthly in-person programing. Cocktails w/ Kelly is a low-key way to catch up on BBA and BTV news and chat with fellow business community friends.
The new BHS would not only be a place of learning for students for years to come but also a critical piece of infrastructure important to our communities vitality and architects have welcomed feedback from BBA members.
The next public information and feedback session is planned for April 12. The district website with the superintendent’s report on budget along with a schedule for next steps and zoom links can be found here: https://www.bsdvt.org/bhs-btc-2025/
Join A BBA Committee
The BBA’s committees provide a forum for discussion and action based on the needs of the business community. Committees are open to all members. Let us know if you'd like to learn more.
Waterfront Action Group - meets the second Thursday of each month at 8am
Downtown Action Group - meets the last Tuesday of each month at 9:30am
Programs Committee - meets the third Wednesday of the month at 4pm
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