News Summary
Burlington’s Main Street businesses face significant challenges due to ongoing construction from the Great Streets BTV project. The project, aimed at revitalizing the downtown area, has led to a drastic drop in foot traffic, causing some businesses to close and others to adapt by reducing hours. City officials are exploring solutions, but business owners express concerns over financial losses and the urgency of support. A city hall meeting highlighted the urgent need for assistance as the project continues until 2026.
Burlington is facing challenges as business owners on Main Street struggle amidst ongoing construction from the Great Streets BTV project, which began in February 2024. The city’s initiative, aimed at transforming the downtown area by widening sidewalks, creating more flexible outdoor spaces, and enhancing water collection systems, is set to be completed by November 2026. However, the construction has led to significant disruptions for local businesses, resulting in a notable drop in customer foot traffic.
As a result of these disruptions, some businesses have been forced to close, including popular establishments such as Nectar’s and The Gryphon, both citing decreased foot traffic as a primary concern. Other businesses, such as Honey Road, have reported challenges in establishing outdoor seating due to the ongoing work, further impacting their sales numbers. In addition, Burlington Wine Shop owner Brad Kelley has shifted focus to email marketing to maintain sales in light of lower walk-in traffic.
The Burlington Department of Public Works (DPW) has responded to the concerns of business owners by hiring a public involvement coordinator in an effort to facilitate communication and address issues. The DPW has also been active in replacing water lines for property owners along Main Street at no cost to them. To support the businesses during this period, they have introduced parking promotions, although business owners have indicated that such measures may not be sufficient to curb the financial losses they face.
Since the commencement of the project, some businesses have reported sales drops ranging from 20% to 50%. Additionally, with ongoing construction delaying the reopening of key areas, many business owners are left worried about their survival until the completion of the project. Approximately 100 business owners attended a city hall meeting to express their frustrations and seek assistance for lost revenues, highlighting the urgent need for support during this prolonged construction period.
In light of the challenges faced, many businesses have adjusted their operations, including reducing staff and hours to mitigate financial strain. Solutions proposed by city officials, such as opening Main Street to one-way traffic, have been deemed too costly, with some suggestions pushing the construction timeframe further into 2027.
To help alleviate the impact of construction on local businesses, the city has initiated measures that include increased advertising and the establishment of a loan fund specifically for affected businesses. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen as business owners continue to call for more substantial support and reassessment of the city’s current strategies.
While a portion of the construction is already complete, including newly widened concrete sidewalks designed to accommodate more outdoor seating, the disruptions have created a challenging environment for residents and visitors alike. The Great Streets BTV project is also part of an extensive initiative aimed at upgrading infrastructure and redeveloping deteriorating properties throughout the area, emphasizing long-term resilience for the city.
As Burlington moves forward with this significant infrastructure project, the balance between development and supporting local businesses remains critical for the vitality of downtown. Continuous marketing efforts from the city aim to entice customers back and reassure business owners that the long-term vision, while currently disruptive, will ultimately benefit the community as a whole.
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Additional Resources
- Vermont Biz: Burlington Business Owners Look Forward After Construction
- Seven Days: Main Street Construction is Hurting Burlington Businesses
- Burlington Free Press: The Gryphon Restaurant Closes Due to Construction
- NBC 5: Burlington Main Street Project Update
- Wikipedia: Urban Development
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BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
