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Early Lumber Yards
In the earliest days of development on the Burlington Waterfront, lumber yards were built up to the waters edge taking in the stock of the quickly declining forests of Vermont. -
Burlington Railroad
With the onset of the railroad industry, the Burlington Waterfront soon became on of the busiest areas in Northern New England, with cargo coming in from New York, Boston, and Canada. A central point to these areas, rail lines extended out of Burlington with the Rutland and Central Vermont Railways. -
Burlington Winter Carnival
Skating along Lake Champlain has long been a favorite activity of Burlingtonians and dates back to the beginnings of the Winter Carnival where in 1886 the first international hockey game was held. -
An Industrial Burlington Waterfront
The historic image shows an industrial area on the Burlington waterfront. The photograph was taken from a nearby hill. There are long industrial buildings, lumber, and a train station on the right side of the image. There is a large smokestack, a boathouse, railroad cars, and more buildings on the left side of the image. There is a wave breaker around the bay and Juniper Island is visible in the middle of Lake Champlain. The Adirondack Mountains are in the background of the image. -
Burlington Yacht Club
The Burlington Yacht Club, now the site of the Burlington Community Boat House, served as a popular recreation point for the city through much of the early 20th until even now where it offers boaters slips and marina services. -
Proposed Development Map
This map portrays the Burlington Lake Front as it was early on in 1952 with some new proposals to build a connection to the North End, a street we now know as Lake Street. -
Existing Waterfront Photo
In 1964, the waterfront remained an industrial zone that included lumber storage and rail lines that “functioned as a visual barrier between the downtown area and Lake Champlain”. – URI Department of Community Planning and Area Development -
Proposed Housing Model
In a study done by the URI Department of Community Planning and Area Development, significant changes would be made to the Burlington Waterfront to meet the housing and social needs of the residents. This model suggests a high rise luxury housing development in the foreground and even a dome-like recreational center on the point extending out into the Bay. -
Proposed Waterfront Model
A view from the lake, new medium income housing would be built in 60’s architectural style looking out to the water, over the proposed Burlington Beltline. -
Waterfront Site Plan
As part of the URI Department of Community Planning and Area Development proposal, major changes would occur along the Burlington Waterfront. A new Beltline, would extend from I-89 through the Waterfront, passing beneath a new convention center, two hotels, and a marina bringing development and the recreational and cultural heart of the City, right to the water’s edge. -
An Aerial Shot of Burlington's Waterfront
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Moran Plant
The Moran Plant pictured in the bottom right was a coal powered electric plant on the waterfront that operated from 1954 until 1986. Jump ahead to 2012 to see future ideas for this site. -
Burlington Waterfront Central
Still an underutilized site, a committee was formed to propose a new waterfront heritage center that would include a maritime museum with rotating exhibits, arts and crafts center, children’s museum or playground, natural history museum, and recreational opportunities. -
Waterfront with Park
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Ideas for the Future
Increased boat slips on the waterfront would help attract visitors to Burlington. The lack of public slips presently available prevents visitors to arrive via boat. -
Ideas of the Future: Moran Plant
The now defunct Moran Plant is in a very strategic location on the Burlington Waterfront and has enormous potential for development that could engage the public. Ideas so far include a Maritime Museum and Family Adventure Center.
