Development News for Burlington, Vermont

South End Innovation District Project to Feature Up to 1,400 Units with Significant Affordable Housing Component

Charles Dillard from the planning department provided an update on the South End Innovation District, including the Secord Development. This project involves redeveloping over 13 acres and could result in up to 1,400 residential units, with a minimum of 20% affordable housing. The first phase, the Secord project, is expected to exceed 30% affordability. The development emphasizes being car-light, walkable, and bikeable, with proposed additional streets and separated bike facilities, extensive green infrastructure for stormwater and climate resiliency. The first building will consist of 204 units, with non-residential space for retail, maker space, and health/wellness uses. This building is noted for its sustainability features, including cross-ventilation, geothermal, a large interior courtyard with stormwater detention, rooftop terrace, and construction using mass timber for a lower embodied carbon footprint. Discussions also addressed concerns about stormwater management, wastewater treatment capacity, and rent affordability for the new units.