Center Street Marketplace Project Description

2009-03-28T22:39:00.008-04:00

VISION

The Center Street Marketplace is an attractive and vital pedestrian space serving as a destination that enhances the commercial downtown and the City as a whole.

THE CENTER STREET MARKETPLACE ENVIRONS

This plaza, in the heart of downtown Rutland, is surrounded by historic buildings housing a mixture of public and private uses. The plaza is the backyard for the Bardwell House (75 units of housing to elderly and disabled residents), the Paramount Theater (downtown’s gem), the Rutland Natural Food Coop (whose business is growing despite the economic downturn), the Winter Farmers Market (Vermont’s only year-round market), and the Service Building (downtown Rutland’s historic skyscraper). The surrounding buildings create a well-defined boundary around the space that gives it a special feeling not found in many other spaces within Vermont.

GOALS

Create a vibrant public gathering space - a destination that attracts people into downtown Rutland to experience community and engage in commerce.
Demonstrate that a small rural downtown can redefine itself in the face of increasing competition from commercial development on the outskirts of town.

PHASE I – RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SPACE

The first phase involves complete renovation of the surface of the plaza. This will create a completely functional space that: (1) removes the hiding spots that foster illegitimate activity, (2) creates a much safer pedestrian space, (3) constructs a space suitable for public events, (4) fixes the problematic stormwater system, (5) improves the ability for fire response vehicles and delivery trucks to function, and (6) demonstrates the public commitment to this project, thereby spurring the private investment that is vital to its success.

This phase includes:

Remove existing features which create hiding spots and/or are in disrepair,
Level the grade of the space to improve its function for public events and to remove obstacles to full access for people with disabilities,
Re-establish a subgrade and surface that supports expected activity (including some truck traffic for deliveries etc.),
Construct an underground room for utilities and for storage space for event equipment,
Install vastly improved sewer and stormwater system, including features which represent best practices for dealing with stormwater

During the design process extensive public input was solicited from key stakeholders and the public at-large. The resulting concepts are reflective of that input and are widely supported, including by all of the surrounding building owners and City officials. In addition, relevant utility companies were consulted and review of the designs were done by those parties to incorporate their needs in this process. Finally, the design consultants, Stantec Inc., used their in-house engineers to do preliminary work and to provide the cost estimates.

PHASE II – CREATING THE PLACE

The second phase of this project involves creating the amenities and features that will make this space a destination.

KEY ELEMENTS OF PHASE II

Attractive and comfortable public gathering space
Alteration of surrounding buildings to introduce supportive commercial activity onto the space
Incorporation of the best available technology infrastructure
Prominent entrances that announce the presence of the space to passers-by
Direct connection to the main downtown commercial blocks of Center Street and Merchants Row
Flexibly designed space that allows for a range of activities and programs
Control the space via aesthetic, yet functional, gates
Innovative stormwater features such as rain gardens and an underground stormwater detention chamber
Introduction of a major water feature to add ambience
Incorporation of public art installations

PROJECTED IMPACT

This project will serve the entire region (approx. 65,000 people). Construction jobs will be created during Phase I and II and new commercial activity upon completion. Phase I will stimulate an additional $1.1M investment in the public portion of this space as well as an estimated $3M in private investment in the surrounding buildings. The Rutland Redevelopment Authority estimates that this private investment will result in a $4.5M increase in the assessed values of the surrounding properties, resulting in a subsequent increase in the level of property taxes collected.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

This project enjoys strong community support as the idea itself grew out of a very visible public planning process known locally as the Rutland Creative Economy Initiative. In addition, during the design process the public was engaged, including a stakeholders’ group of the surrounding building owners and businesses that was involved in shaping the final designs of the space.

Public entities supportive of this project include: Rutland Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Rutland Partnership, Rutland Mayor’s Office, City of Rutland Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works Department, the Rutland Regional Planning Commission, and the Paramount Theater.

The design concepts for this space received a Vermont Public Space Award in February 2009.

Center Street Marketplace Designs

2009-03-27T23:09:00.002-04:00

Rutland Creative Economy Effort

2009-03-27T00:37:00.000-04:00

What is the Creative Economy?

The Creative Economy hinges upon our community’s creativity and cultural uniqueness. It is the foundation of our local economy that thrives upon inventiveness, innovation, imagination, inspiration, and ingenuity.

Who We Are

The Rutland Creative Economy is a group of dedicated volunteers focused on bringing people together in the Rutland Region around a set of common goals. We further these goals through the work of four independent committees.

Our Goals

To shift the “culture” of decision-making in Rutland through Community Engagement.
To stimulate local economic development.
To develop a “sense of place” within the Rutland community.
To involve youth in all aspects of Creative Economy efforts.

Our Committees

We have four active committees focusing on specific projects around the region. To read up on our major projects, visit the links below.

Volunteering with the Rutland Creative Economy

Our Committees are founded on the energy and talents of volunteers, and we are always looking to include more people in our efforts. To learn about how you can get involved, contact our coordinator.