BTV Progressives differ on mall project

A statement by the Progressive Party Steering Committee that condemns redevelopment plans for Burlington Town Center lacks the endorsement of City Council's ranking party member.

"I of course respect their views," Council President Jane Knodell, P-Central District, said Friday. "But I am personally convinced there are significant benefits to be had with this project."

The two-page statement, emailed Thursday, terms the project as one that "would overwhelm and irrevocably damage the charm and pedestrian scale of Burlington's award-winning downtown."

City Council, which overwhelmingly approved in May a pre-development agreement with mall owner Don Sinex, has begun a review of zoning changes that would allow construction of residential, commercial and office buildings that at some places would reach 14 stories.

The Council is expected to vote on the enabling zoning changes at its August 24 meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. at Contois auditorium.

Knodell said the Council has done a good job so far of vetting the project and the developer — and that a thorough review is still underway.

But she faulted her party's communication for inadequate analysis of labor issues, for ignoring updates to the agreement with Sinex and for underestimating the economic value of the project.

"Historically, the Progressive Party's brand has been one of equity as well as a strong economy," she said. "We can't have livable wages without a strong economy.

"I would ask the Steering Committee: Do we want young professionals to live in South Burlington and other parts of the county?" Knodell continued. "I think we want people living in Burlington, and we want them living downtown."

Charles Winkleman, who authored the Steering Committee's statement, said the party had had reservations about the mall redevelopment "from the beginning."

The committee has between 12 and 15 members, Winkleman said, and drew its opinions from a broader base of party members.

The document reflects the most up-to-date information available to the public, Winkleman added, "but a lot of the information we get is at the developer's discretion."

Councilor Max Tracy, P-Ward 2, the only councilor to vote against the pre-development agreement, supports the Steering Committee's document.

The remaining two Progressives on City Council, Selene Colburne, P-East District, and Sara Giannoni, P-Ward 3, could not be reached for comment.

EARLIER:

The Table: Max Tracy on mall development

The Table: Don Sinex talks Mall Revamp

This story was first posted online on Aug. 19, 2016. Contact Joel Banner Baird at 802-660-1843 or joelbaird@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @VTgoingUp.

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