Vacancies Sow Opportunity for Trail Seekers Developing the Reuse Vision for the Bay Street Corridor in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont Project Summary Community; Saint Johnsbury, Vermont Technical Assistance: Market Assessment/Reuse Plan Former Use: Vacant Industrial Corridor Future Use: Activated Neighborhood Saint Johnsbury is located in Caledonia County in the "Northeast Kingdom" of Vermont, which is ripe for local travelers seeking nature trails. The project area within Saint Johnsbury is about 25 acres comprising of several properties between Bay Street and the Passumpsic River. Historical industrial uses and a rail yard in the project area have created known and suspected environmental conditions. Vacant properties present opportunities to revitalize the corridor. The town and the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) in recent years created a new trail that connects the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) to the downtown, capitalizing on the thousands of new trail users expected to visit downtown and creating development opportunities for properties within the project area. Using this momentum, the town is setting its sights on the project area to complement the new trails and access to the Passumpsic River. The Community's Challenge Within Saint Johnsbury a working group consisting of town officials, the NVDA, potential developers, and property owners were meeting to define a shared vision for the project area. However, assistance was needed with building consensus and a shared vision for the project area among these local stakeholders, especially considering the economic and site reuse potential. An action plan and reuse vision for the area would empower NVDA and the local stakeholder group to utilize more effective partnerships and resources in redevelopment. EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance In 2022, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Land Revitalization Program provided contractor technical assistance to identity conceptual reuse options for the Bay Street Project Area. The team conducted a Site Reuse Analysis using market information to identity potential uses, opportunities, and constraints associated with potential reuse scenarios. Based on the Site Reuse Analysis, the team developed a Conceptual Brownfield Site Reuse Plan focusing on additional recreational trails, related infrastructure and amenities, and likely development opportunities in the project area. The Site Reuse Plan also identified several regulatory requirements and potential partners that may impact future development scenarios. The technical assistance team established community consensus on redevelopment of the project area given its industrial history, riverfront opportunities, rail use, and flood plain location so that Saint Johnsbury can move forward with revitalization. Conceptual Reuse Plan for the Southern Section of the Project Area For more information, contact Christine Beling, EPA Region 1 Brown fields Program, at belinq.christine@epa.gov or Jessica Dominguez, EPA Region 1, at dominguez.iessica@epa.gov. *>EPA United States Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization Environmental Protection Agency 560-F-23-311 ------- |