Overview
The signatories to this agreement acknowledge our support for South Burlington City Center’s Downtown designation application and our shared commitment to collaboratively strengthen and advance a thriving, vibrant City Center.
Recitals
WHEREAS, it is to the mutual advantage and benefit of the parties that each agree to commit to the implementation of a collaborative program to build and advance a thriving South Burlington City Center Downtown Area; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 24 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated §5803(f)(3), a downtown investment agreement is required to achieve Step Three Downtown Center benefits; and
WHEREAS, the boundaries of the Downtown are established on the future land use map of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s 2026 ECOS Plan as approved by the Land Use Review Board and include the City Center areas of Williston Road, Dorset Street, Hinesburg Road and San Remo Drive and surrounding neighborhoods east of I-89 south to Kennedy Drive; and
WHEREAS, the City Plan 2024 Goal 12 is to invest in and grow a vibrant, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented City Center and Action 145 is to support the establishment of a Main Street-style, community-based organization to nurture, promote and otherwise support City Center; and
WHEREAS, the South Burlington Economic Development Plan (adopted 2025) Goal 3, a Destination that Draws You In, strategies include (3.1) activation of City Center as a year-round civic and entrepreneurial hub through partnerships, programming, and business activity that bring the district to life, (3.2) transformation of the University Mall, (3.3) enhancing both the visitor and resident experience, (3.4) promoting our area as experience in its own right; and (3.5) building the active transportation infrastructure to create a destination shaped by both mobility and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the South Burlington City Center Collaborative, Inc.’s purpose is to build a vibrant, walkable, and bikeable downtown that fuels economic vitality and creates a sense of connection and belonging through a collaborative community effort including businesses, residents, property owners, organizations and institutions; and
WHEREAS, the South Burlington community has consistently participated in planning activities and supported investments in our developing downtown, including approving by wide margins multiple tax increment financing bond votes to build gathering spaces and to connect these spaces with streets and paths; and
WHEREAS, the City has committed public resources to building new complete streets and paths, parks, and the South Burlington Public Library and City Hall and made operational investments to create a vibrant downtown; and
WHEREAS, our developing downtown has grown by over 800 homes and supports approximately 250 businesses surrounded by connected neighborhoods and transit-served corridors.
Statement of Obligations
Now, therefore, we, the undersigned members of the South Burlington City Council, South Burlington City Center Collaborative (SB3C) Board of Directors, SB3C members, business and property owners, institutions and non-profits, community groups, and residents, hereby:
1. Express support for the City of South Burlington’s Downtown Designation - Step Three Center application;
2. Support the South Burlington City Center Collaborative in its efforts to create a thriving downtown through building awareness of their mission, events and activities to further this goal;
3. Pledge to champion City Center to customers, potential investors, new businesses, neighbors, and visitors;
4. Support efforts to strengthen, diversify, and increase economic activity within City Center; and
5. As applicable, seek opportunities to support entrepreneurship, local small business ownership, and upward economic mobility within City Center, including for members of underrepresented groups.
6. Furthermore, specific parties signing this agreement additionally agree as follows:
a. The City of South Burlington will implement its capital budget that continues the creation of downtown infrastructure and put forth operational budgets that maintains this infrastructure and builds downtown vibrancy; will provide appropriate financial resources annually to South Burlington City Center Collaborative (SB3C) and designate a City Council member and City Manager designee to serve as non-voting members of the SB3C Board of Directors as a direct liaison to the City; serve as applicant for state and federal funding requiring municipal sponsorship; fulfill the reporting requirements of the Vermont Downtown Program, and administer land use, traffic, and other health and safety regulations within the downtown.
b. The South Burlington City Center Collaborative, our Downtown Organization, will implement this Agreement; build the organizational structure, staff and volunteer capacity necessary to sustain a comprehensive long-term downtown collaboration to build vibrancy; carry out multi-year strategic plans including initiating a five-year strategic plan update within the first four years of this agreement; convene and represent downtown stakeholders; support and steward downtown revitalization efforts in accordance with the Main Street America pillars; and collect and report the information and data required by the Vermont Downtown program.
c. Property owners will participate in activities to collectively strengthen our downtown such as sharing information on commercial space as appropriate and supporting the programming and promotional efforts of the South Burlington City Center Collaborative as they are able.
d. Businesses, community organizations and residents signing this Agreement are encouraged to champion downtown vibrancy efforts, events, programs and other efforts that strengthen and advance a thriving, vibrant City Center that welcomes all.
7. Term. This Agreement takes effect upon execution and remains in effect for so long as Downtown City Center holds designation under Title 24 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated, Chapter 139, subject to periodic review and agreed upon updates by the City of South Burlington and the South Burlington City Center Collaborative following the adoption of a significant planning document by either entity. Changes to this Agreement will not create additional obligations for existing individual signatories without their consent.
8. Additional Signatories. Additional property owners, business owners, organizations and residents may become parties to this Agreement at any time by signing an addendum, and the City of South Burlington and the South Burlington City Center Collaborative encourage broad participation.
9. Nature of Agreement. This Agreement expresses the shared commitment of the City of South Burlington, South Burlington City Center Collaborative, property owners, community organizations, and residents to support the continued development and vitality of City Center. Except for the responsibilities expressly assigned to the City and the South Burlington City Center Collaborative above, participation by individual businesses, property owners, organizations, and residents is voluntary and does not create a financial obligation or require participation in any program, event, meeting, or activity. Nothing in this Agreement supersedes the authority of the City Council, municipal boards or commissions, or any applicable law, regulation, or municipal process.