The Main Street Project aims to make Burlington more inviting by 2026, but workers, students and shop owners are questioning whether the transformation is worth the toll.
Imagine heading up Church Street for a coffee, only to find your favorite cafe boarded up. 11 businesses on or near Church Street have closed since “The Main Street Project” construction began in February 2024. At least two of those – The Gryphon and Nectar’s- cited the construction as one of the reasons they were forced to close.
The Main Street Project, also known as Great Streets BTV, is scheduled for completion “winter” of next year (2026). The project is estimated to cost $30 million with the goal of making downtown more inviting by creating better bike lanes, stormwater drainage systems and tree belts.
“Until recently it has always felt like an advantage to be located downtown, just off Church Street but still in the heart of the city,” Brad Kelley said.
Brad Kelley owns the Burlington Wine Shop located about 20 yards from the Main Street intersection with St. Paul Street, where the majority of the construction is taking place. He noted that several businesses have been closing along Church Street such as The Gryphon, which had been a staple on St. Paul Street for over 20 years.
“Larger downtown businesses that rely on walk-in sales and tourism are having a lot of trouble making up for lost sales,” Kelley said.
Wren Harbour ‘28 works at Harbour Thread on Church Street. She said that the endless construction is decreasing foot traffic and she questions how beneficial it will be when it is done.
“[The construction workers] are building out into the street more to try to create both bike lanes and also bikeable sidewalks,” Harbour said. “But that’s not really relevant considering Burlington only has biking conditions three months to six months out of the year.”
Harbour says the construction has caused her to be late to school several times.
“I think that it’s definitely affected attendance, tardiness (at BHS) and that also sort of does directly impact your presence in class and how your grades show up,” Harbour said.
Maryn Quigley ‘28 said that since the sidewalks on her route home have been blocked off for nearly a year, she’s been forced to walk on the road.
“I feel like what they’re saying [is that] the construction is to help the roads, and yet we have to be [walking on the street],” Quigley said. “So how is that convenient for anyone?”
There will be another year of construction, and Kelley is holding his breath that we can sustain the beloved ambiance of our city in the meantime.
“The last year and a half has given me some doubts about whether downtown will remain a prime location,” Kelley said.
