Burlington will use federal funds to get started on the next phase of the Moran Frame

Dan D'Ambrosio, Burlington Free Press
Updated ·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Mayor Miro Weinberger will roll out plans for the next phase of development for the Moran Frame on Burlington's waterfront on Thursday at Burlington City Arts. Weinberger will be joined by representatives from the design team and from Burlington's Community & Economic Development Office.

"After decades of stagnation, we have transformed the old Moran Plant from the abandoned eyesore it was into a striking new landmark on the Burlington waterfront that now hosts an increasing number of events and visitors," Weinberger said in statement. "Now, following a six-month public engagement and community design process … we have a plan to turn the Moran FRAME into a beloved waterfront destination."

Artist's rendering of a holiday scene at the Moran Frame after Phase 2 improvements are complete.
Artist's rendering of a holiday scene at the Moran Frame after Phase 2 improvements are complete.

Work on creating the Moran Frame began in August 2020, stripping hundreds of tons of cement and brick from the defunct power station, leaving only its steel frame. Various proposals for the plant were floated since it was shuttered in 1986, including demolition, which would have cost about the same as the Frame project, $6.55 million.

Next phase of Frame development to include space for concerts, viewing platform and more

The Phase 2 plans includes space for concerts and performances, a viewing platform on an upper level of the Frame, a skating ribbon, markets, waterfront seating and public art. Weinberger said fully implementing the plans will require "new partnerships, philanthropic and grant support, and other financing."

Artist's rendering of Phase 2 improvements at the Moran Frame, which includes space for concerts and performances, plus markets.
Artist's rendering of Phase 2 improvements at the Moran Frame, which includes space for concerts and performances, plus markets.

In the meantime, Weinberger said he will use $600,000 of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to get started on the plans. The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law in 2021, funneled $350 billion to local and state governments to help with recovery from the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ARPA funds will be used to build infrastructure for public events, performances and more vendors.

Contact Dan D’Ambrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on X @DanDambrosioVT.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Mayor Weinberger to roll out plans for second phase of Moran Frame