Great News about the Better Places Program!

This May, the Vermont legislature enabled and appropriated $1.5M for the Better Places program to provide grants to support community-driven placemaking projects that inspire local action, supporting small but impactful improvements to downtown and village gathering spaces that build community, celebrate local culture, and create better places for all. This step formalizes a 2021 pilot program funded and supported by the Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Vermont Arts Council, National Life Group Foundation, the Vermont Department of Health, and the Preservation Trust of Vermont. 

The Better Places program will provide “placemaking” grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 to support community-led projects that create a new public space or revitalize or activate an existing public space. Municipalities, nonprofits, and community groups with a fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply and must raise 33% matching funds through a crowdfunding approach. The Better Places program will be announced in the fall and start accepting applications in January 2022.

"If the hardships of the past year taught us anything, it is that we urgently need investments in people, public spaces, and social infrastructure that rebuild our trust and build hope for a better future for every Vermonter and our Brave Little State. Investing in Better Places is a start in the right direction to enable more Vermonters to co-invest and co-build welcoming, prosperous, and equitable communities. With this and other investments – and the creativity and spirit of the people in our communities – the opportunity lies ahead of us to make transformational change and leverage the power of public spaces to build better and more equitable places that makes us proud to be Vermonters."

-- Richard Amore, Planning and Outreach Manager for the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development



You are invited to the Vermont Community Development Association Virtual Spring Conference

Reimagining Our Public Spaces
Thursday, June 17th 2021
9:00am-12:00pm EST

As community leaders around the state look towards the future, and to recovery from the crisis we have faced, they are thinking creatively about how to bring their communities together now and in the years to come. How can our public spaces - both indoor and outdoor - contribute to the vibrancy of our main streets and village centers? How can these spaces boost economic development, resilience, community connection, and sense of place? How can historic buildings be repurposed and readapted to serve the needs of today and our community into the future?

On June 17th, join community and economic development leaders from around the state to:

  • Hear from featured keynote speaker Chet Clem, President of Lyme Properties in Lebanon, NH
  • Hear what other communities have done to reimagine and redevelop public spaces
  • Hear from a panel of experts who will walk through project development from idea to implementation
  • Have a chance to ask your questions of technical and financial resource providers

Visit https://www.vtcda.org/spring-2021.html to view a full agenda, learn about our speakers and register for your ticket. A range of payment options is available from free registration to a donation scale and full VCDA membership.

Five Vermont Projects Receive Preservation Grants in Partnership with the Freeman Foundation

PTV is thrilled to announce that five projects in Northeastern Vermont were selected to receive 2021 Preservation Grants through our more than 20-year partnership with the Freeman Foundation. Through this partnership, we have been able to grant more than $11 million to preservation projects in every county in the state of Vermont. These projects represent more than $140 million of total project costs.
Ben Mill, Barnet: $30,000

Built in 1872, Ben’s Mill was originally used to dye sheepskins for parlors and carriage mats. Later it operated as a wheel and carriage shop with a blacksmith shop on the east end. The water powered mill produced electricity for the Town of Barnet as well as for the operation of the mill. Now operated by a non-profit offering seasonal education programs, the mill is the only surviving, intact water-powered woodworking and blacksmith shop with its original working equipment in Vermont and possibly the United States.

The Preservation Grant of $30,000 will support foundation repairs, siding and facade repairs, and window restoration which is estimated to be a total of $45,000.

New Avenue, St. Johnsbury: $75,000

Originally constructed in 1897 as the “New Avenue House,” this building is located in the Railroad Street Historic District on a prominent corner in the heart of the downtown commercial core. The first floor of the building contains the former hotel lobby and a number of former commercial storefront spaces that have been vacant for over a decade. Currently, the building is undergoing an extensive, nearly $18M dollar renovation led by Evernorth (formerly Housing Vermont) and New Depot Square Commercial Properties.

In early 2020, St. Johnsbury Academy signed a lease to locate its Adult Education program as the first floor anchor tenant. This Preservation Grant of $75,000 will support the renovation of the space by St. Johnsbury Academy. Once the project is complete and the adult education program operating, a signature building in the community will be activated to serve the community on multiple levels and generate significant economic activity (and pride) in the downtown. 
United Church, Barton: $30,000

The United Church of Barton, originally constructed in 1874 and designed by renowned architect Lambert Packard, is a fixture in the heart of Barton village. Originally home to the Congregational Church, the building underwent several renovations including the addition of the clock tower and the addition of Tiffany stained glass windows. After a fire in 1947, the Methodist and Congregational Church combined to form the United Church of Barton.

Today it is used by many community groups and for local events including chamber music concerts, choral concerts, piano and organ recitals and a senior vocal recital. The fellowship hall located on the lower level hosts Alcoholics Anonymous, UVM extension services, the annual library fundraiser, NEK foster parents groups, Christmas parties, DCF family visits, the cemetery association board and annual meetings, and is used for a senior meal site. A Preservation Grant of $30,000 will support restoration work of the steeple and clock face, and other needed repairs.

Brainerd Memorial Library, North Danville: $40,000

The North Danville Brainerd Memorial Library was constructed in 1937 to house both the school and the library and includes an indoor basketball court which is still used today. The building is the satellite location for the Danville Historical Society, houses the well-used community room, and serves as the headquarters for the North Danville Community Club. The grounds provide space for little league and events such as the North Danville 4th of July Celebration which is attended by hundreds of residents and neighbors.

The building is also the future home of a small business development pilot project developed in partnership with an organization called Grow with Google. Currently classes are being developed to instruct local business owners in internet security, marketing, ad creation and purchasing, web development, social media optimization, graphic design, business automation, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite products and more. This Preservation Grant of $40,000 will support a full roof replacement, window restoration, foundation repair, and the installation of a new drainage system.

Grass Roots Arts and Community Effort (G.R.A.C.E.), Hardwick: $540,000

Grass Roots Arts and Community Effort (G.R.A.C.E.) is an organization dedicated to the discovery, development, and promotion of self-taught art to elders and other underserved populations in Vermont. The organization was founded 40 years ago, and with a staff of seven employees, volunteers, and teaching artists, hosts over 500 workshops a year in places such as nursing homes, mental health centers, senior meal sites, adult day centers, and artists’ homes, ensuring that they are reaching vulnerable and often overlooked individuals. Through a newly formed partnership with the Spark program in Greensboro, G.R.A.C.E. is providing high-speed internet and access to advanced technology (including 3-D printers and large format printers) to support community entrepreneurship and local middle and high school students.

Since 2000, G.R.A.C.E. has owned and operated out of Hardwick’s historic firehouse. This Preservation Grant of $50,000 will support needed foundation repairs, a new roof and upgrades to the fire alarm and sprinkler system.