This information was adapted from a report prepared by Phillippos J. Loukissas and Stuart H. Mann, Community Studies Program, The Pennsylvania State University. The report was prepared for the Office of Management, Research, and Transit services, Urban Mass Transportation Administration, Washington, D.C. The original document was issued in June 1984. The revisions were made in March 1995.

Burlington has been and continues to be the largest center of trade in the state of Vermont. The City's original commerce and trade can be traced to lumbering and farming, and transportation because of Burlington's position on the east shore of Lake Champlain. By the late 1800s, textile manufacturing prospered in the area due to the abundance of cheap hydroelectric power.

The University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care and three other colleges are all within a mile of downtown businesses and public spaces. The student population of over 20,000 is a major clientele for downtown businesses. A free shuttle runs seven days per week between Burlington's downtown waterfront, the Church Street Marketplace and the University of Vermont. Burlington, has an active political landscape and a strong three party system.
For more information about the development of the downtown district and the Church Street Marketplace, please read the following information.



***Information last updated in 1995***

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Physical Characteristics                            
Urban Renewal Project                          
Development of the Marketplace            
The "Mall"               
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