On the 20th Anniversary of the Church Street Marketplace

- Peter Clavelle, Mayor of Burlington, Vermont

Church Street has always been an important part of my life. For me as a kid growing up in Winooski, a trip to Church Street – on the Burlington Rapid Transit (BRT) bus for a quarter – was a big deal. A typical shopping spree would include visits to the large department stores – Abernathy’s, Magrams and J.C. Penney. Men or boys clothes would be bought at Nate’s or Shepard & Hamell’s. Woods was the place for sporting equipment. And lunch might be a Valade’s at the bus terminal or at the A&W Root Beer where Leunig’s is now located. A little later in life, endless summer months would be spent cruising Church Street in my friend’s 1956 Pontiac convertible.

Church Street has certainly changed in my 50-plus years. But, thanks to the efforts of many in this community, Church Street’s vitality has been preserved and steadily enhanced.

We’re all aware of downtowns that have limped along or gone bust in the face of competition from suburban shopping centers, and big box retailers. In city after city, the traditional American downtown sits idle and empty. Yet Burlington’s downtown – with the Church Street Marketplace as its centerpiece – remains alive and well, the commercial, cultural and social center for an entire region. The Marketplace brings people downtown to stroll, shop, or engage friends in conversation. Its coffee houses, pubs, and eateries buzz with activity. It is a place of commerce, conviviality, and chance encounters. It is both a shopping center and a living center. There’s definitely “a there” there. It is important to remember that Church Street Marketplace did now just happen. It came about because of a collaborative effort involving businesses, citizens, and government.

A few of my predecessors in the Mayor’s Office deserve credit for their vision and persistence. Mayor Frank Cain in the late 1960s and early 1970s laid the foundation for a major investment in downtown, and unleashed the exploration of the feasibility of an open-air pedestrian mall. Mayor Gordon Paquette persistently worked to attract federal dollars to the downtown effort, while opposing the Pyramid Company project proposed for Williston. Bernie Sanders assumed office in 1981, the year the Church Street Marketplace was completed. He understood that a vital downtown was about more than bricks and mortar − it was about cultural and recreational opportunities. The introduction of a variety of events, including First Night, the Jazz Festival, the Marathon, and Kids Day are part of the legacy of Bernie’s administration.

The Marketplace would simply be an enticing vision if it were not for the support and funding of our federal government. Leading the effort from day one was Senator Patrick Leahy. He and his staff deserve much credit for the successful realization of the Church Street Marketplace, as well as for their ongoing and essential support today.

We should also remember that the Marketplace’s vitality results from constant nurturing and attention. Other cities have tried pedestrian malls, but many have failed because they didn’t have the necessary staff, funding, or programs. Credit and thanks go to the successive Directors of the Church Street Marketplace – Penrose Jackson, Molly Lambert and Ron Redmond – and to all the dedicated employees and Commission members, who have ensured that the Church Street Marketplace receives the daily maintenance, marketing, promotion, and programming it requires for continued success.

When the Church Street Marketplace is at its best, when it comes alive with holiday cheer or swings with summer jazz, we have nothing to fear from suburban competition. Our task is to ensure that we live up to this potential on a day-to-day basis. As we celebrate 20 years of success, let’s re-dedicate ourselves to ensuring that the unique amenities of the Church Street Marketplace remain accessible, safe and inviting for another 20 years.
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