Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan Application

8/20/2019 Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan Application

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Application Summary

Applicant Municipality:

(or lead applicant if applying as a consortium)

What is your most recent town plan adoption date? N/A

Has your municipality been confirmed by your Regional Planning

Commission? Yes No

If not, is your municipality in the process of being confirmed

on or before the application deadline? Yes No N/A

If not, is this application for a plan that will be submitted to

the regional planning commission for approval? Yes No N/A

Is this a consortium project?

If Yes, see list of Participating Municipalities. Yes No

Authorizing Official:

Grant Administrator:

Project Type:

Project Type Other:

MP-2015-Bennington-00027

Town of Bennington

Stuart Hurd

Planning for Designated Area

Michael Harrington

Town of Bennington

10/11/2010


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Project Description

1(a). Project Title. Name the project as precisely as possible.

1(b). What does the project accomplish?

The project combines two successful program models - VT Area Wide Planning and VDAT - to create a market

study, site

analyses, feasibility analyses, marketing plans and GIS-based inventory for key redevelopment properties in

downtown

Bennington.

Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan


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2. Why is the project important? Describe the context, purpose, and timeliness of the project, providing any relevant

background information such as past or present planning activities, current issues within the community and the status of your

municipal plan and bylaws. If you received an MPG last year, discuss any relationship to this application and your capacity to

simultaneously complete both grant projects.


In the past few years, Bennington has suffered, as have many small New England towns, economic hardships brought onby

the recent recession. Many downtown properties are unused, underutilized or in dis-repair. As noted in the response to

question 3(a) below, the Town Plan has long recognized the importance of a vibrant, resilient and sustainable downtown.

In addition, the recently adopted (2013) Bennington Strategic Economic Development Plan contains strategies to improve

the vibrancy of the downtown through the re-development of key properties. The Economic Plan was developed with the

help of and is being implemented by the Bennington Economic Development Partners (BEDP). The BEDP consists of

representatives from local government, the school system, colleges, business groups, the downtown organization, the

regional planning commission, the regional development corporation, and other interested parties to ensure that

economic

development efforts are coordinated to achieve maximum benefit.

The Economic Development Plan includes as one of its 10 prioritized strategies the “Utiliz[ation] of the Brownfield

Opportunity Area program and other sources to identify and map underutilized and vacant properties and develop options

to achieve future development objectives of such sites.”

The Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan described in this grant application is a direct result of the concentrated

efforts of the Town, BCRC and the BEDP to implement this strategy. It is a critical next step in the implementation of

the Town of Bennington’ s efforts to re-develop and re-vitalize its downtown.

In addition to the importance of the timing of the Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan noted above, there exists a

particularly unique opportunity and rationale for doing the project at this time. The Town of Bennington was approached

by representatives from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and

CommunityDevelopment (ACCD) several weeks ago with the idea of combining two successful models that have been utilized in other

communities in Vermont; specifically the Vermont Area Wide Planning process and the Vermont Downtown Action Team

(VDAT)


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Project Description, cont.

3. How does the project meet the competitive criteria?

a. Explain how the project implements ideas and actions set forth within the municipal plan. For a municipal plan or update

project, describe any pressing community planning concerns that the proposed plan or update will address.


The Bennington Town Plan contains multiple references to the development and implementation of plans and tools to

facilitate the re-development and improve the vibrancy of Bennington’ s Designated Downtown area.

Chapter 1 – A Vision for Bennington’ s Future

Goals

Goal # 2 Plan development to maintain the town’ s historic settlement pattern of a well defined urban growth center

surrounded by rural countryside. Provide incentives for investment in the downtown and ensure that new development isconsistent with the area’ s historic character and form. Support efforts to strengthen and revitalize existing

residential neighborhoods near the town’ s center.

Goal # 3. Recognize the importance of significant natural, scenic, and historic resources.

Make use of public investment, regulation, and creative development techniques to protect open spaces, natural and

fragile areas, scenic views, and historic sites, structures, and districts that are significant to the community.

Goal # 4. Support policies, public investments, and projects undertaken by both private and nonprofit developers that

help ensure the availability of an adequate supply of housing that is affordable and desirable for all of the town’ s

residents…Promote rehabilitation and reuse of existing sites and structures near the town’ s center for housing

development.

Chapter 2 – Economic Development

2.5 Economic Development Policies and Recommendations

2. Support economic development that provides high-quality jobs while capitalizing on the town’ s strengths. Economic

development activities shall occur in harmony with the town’ s historic character, attractive physical environment, and

traditional development pattern of a densely developed center surrounded by rural countryside.4. Emphasize re-use of existing buildings and vacant commercial and industrial sites, including any brownfield sites

that are identified in town.

14. Continue efforts to maintain and enhance downtown as the commercial, institutional, civic, cultural, and residential


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b. Describe what kind of citizen participation activities and outreach intended to educate and involve the public in planning will be

conducted as part of this project as well as any coordination and cooperation with relevant local and/or regional organizations.


The Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan project will involve ample opportunity for community outreach and

participation,

as well as coordination with other local and regional organizations. The project steering committee, in addition to

officials from the Town of Bennington, will include representatives from organizations such as the Better Bennington

Corporation, the Bennington Industrial Corporation, Bennington County Regional Commission, Bennington Economic

Development Partners and community representatives. A number of public meetings will be scheduled throughout the

various phases of the project to solicit input from and inform the community of the Downtown Bennington Area Wide

Planeffort. This will include an initial public meeting following the selection of the consultant and a final public

meeting to wrap up the Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan project, to share the results and to begin to build

excitement

and commitment toward implementation of the plan. Outreach to business and property owners throughout the study

area

will be a critical component of the project, as well.


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c. Discuss whether your project furthers any of the following statewide priorities.


The Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan furthers the statewide priority focusing in Special Projects for Designated

Areas. In fact, the project will include two of the three types of projects noted under this priority. The DowntownBennington Area Wide Plan will be focused in Bennington’ s Designated Downtown area and will meet the criteria forboth:“Plans, studies and bylaws to improve physical and economic environment such

as downtown master plans and form based codes”; and“Infrastructure studies and capital improvement planning in support of

designated areas”.

The Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan will involve the following components which are consistent with thestatewidepriorities for FY2015 Municipal Planning Grants: Existing Conditions Inventory and Analysis – The consultant will conduct an inventory and analysis of existingconditions in and adjacent to the study area. A base level inventory and analysis will be completed for all sites inthe study area and a more detailed analysis will be completed for up to 5 additional sites with adaptive re-usepotential within the district. The base analysis will include such things as an environmental assessment andidentification of brownfield properties, land use patterns, building inventory, infrastructure conditions, maps andphotographs. For the selected properties with redevelopment potential a higher level of analysis will include site

reconnaissance, interviews with owners, identification of recognized environmental conditions and suggestions forhighest and best use. Market Study – The consultant will conduct a study of the market conditions pertaining to the re-use of keyproperties within the study area. Utilizing recognized and reliable data sources the consultant will determine thecurrent and future demand for housing, retail, industrial and commercial uses in the study area. This component of theproject must contain a detailed retail leakage analysis.

Site Analysis – The consultant will assess current infrastructure and physical constraints on possible developmentswithin the study area. Project Feasibility Analysis – The consultant will determine the overall economic and feasibility of preferreddevelopment scenarios for key properties within the study area. Marketing Plan(s) – A marketing plan for Downtown Bennington, in general, which may also include work on branding,as well as specific marketing strategies to attract capital for redevelopment of critical properties within the studyarea will be developed by the consultant


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statewide_priorities continued

Designated Downtown area.



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d. How does your project relate to any existing designated Downtown, Village Center, Neighborhood

Development Area or Growth Center? If no designated areas exist in the municipality, indicate "not applicable."

The Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan project study area will be focused in Bennington’ s Designated Downtown,

resulting

in an updated inventory of real property and existing infrastructure within the downtown, a market study to evaluate

market conditions pertaining to the redevelopment and reuse of key properties, site analyses to look at opportunities

and constraints to develop in the downtown, feasibility analyses to present the overall economic redevelopment

potential

for key properties, and marketing plans for downtown Bennington and for two to five individual redevelopment sites.

Allof this would be supported by detailed maps linked to a GIS database. The Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan will

be

essential to the redevelopment of critical downtown properties at a most opportune time. Just last month H.

Greenberg &

Son hardware and building supply, a longtime downtown Bennington institution, closed its doors. This follows on the

heels of the recent passing of the Greenberg family patriarch and the moving of much of the family’ s holding into a

trust. In addition to the 2.02 acre hardware and building supply property, the trust controls all but one building in

an entire block in downtown Bennington, and the one remaining building is also on the market. With these propertiespotentially in transition, planning for redevelopment in the area becomes more crucial than ever. In addition, the

Town

of Bennington has a downtown highway garage that it hopes to close in the near future as it consolidates two garages

into a single location elsewhere, and the Town has been in communication regarding the potential acquisition of the

National Guard Armory which is also inside the proposed study area. The status of these properties, when combined

with

a number of other privately-owned properties which are candidates for redevelopment, suggest the Downtown

Bennington

Area Wide Plan could not be more timely.


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:

Description of Task:

Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:

Material Description


$2,000

$50.00

40

Regional Planning Staff

Steering Committee/Project Manager

Formulate a Steering Committee to work with the Project Manager and Consultant; Approve Scope ofWork; Draft Project Schedule; Issue RFP; Select Consultant.

Project Preparation

1


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$0

$0

10

Consultant

Consultant/Project Manager

Final public presentation to educate the community about the Downtown Bennington Area Wide Planand

the implementation document; Designed to produce excitement for and buy in to the program.

Final Public Presentation

10


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



60

Consultant

Consultant

Review existing planning docs, econ. and demo. info. and interviews with key, civic and communitystakeholders. Create base level inventory analysis for properties in the study area to include

environmental assessment/infrastructure conditions/etc.

Review of Existing Conditions and Stakeholder Input

2

$7,500

$125.00


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$1,250

$125.00

10

Consultant

Project Manager/Consultant

Initial public meeting to share with community members the results of initial research and findingsand solicit input regarding project.

Initial Public Meeting

3


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$7,500

$125.00

60

Consultant

Consultant

Market study pertaining to re-use of key properties in study area using recognized and reliable datasources. Determine current and future demand for housing, retail, industrial and commercial uses in

study area. Retail leakage analysis included.

Market Study

4


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$6,250

$125.00

50

Consultant

Consultant

Consultant will assess current infrastructure and physical constraints on possible developmentswithin the study area.

Site Analyses

5


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$1,500

$125.00

12

Consultant

Consultant

Consultant will determine the overall economic feasibility of preferred development scenarios forkey properties.

Feasibility Analyses

6


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$0

$0

70

Consultant

Consultant

Marketing plan for Downtown Bennington, in general, which may also include work on branding, as wellas specific marketing strategies to attract capital for redevelopment of critical properties in the

study area will be developed by the consultant.

Marketing Plans

7


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$0

$0

100

Consultant

Consultant

Revitalization plan/implementation doc: Vision-brownfields re-use/redevelopment goals. Inventory.Re-use strategies/scenarios/mkt strategy-2+ sites. Mkting plan. Areawide & site specific

implementation plan-2+ sites. Implementation timeline/funding.

Creation of Area Wide Plan and implementation doc.

8


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Work

Plan

and

Budget

Task Number:

Task Name:


Responsibility:

Paid Personnel:

If other, specify:

Hours:

Hourly Rate:

Personnel Cost:



$0

$0

60

Consultant

Consultant

The consultant will include maps as necessary to illustrate existing conditions within the studyarea and at key redevelopment sites. The consultant will be expected to create GIS data based on

their analysis as appropriate.

Maps and GIS Database

9


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Budget Totals

Total

Project

Cost:

(Work Plan & Budget Total)

State Funds:

Grant Amount Requested

Match Funds:

Describe

source(s)

of

match

funds

(if

required):

Municipal staff or volunteer time cannot be

offered as a match.


$6,000

The Town worked with the Bennington County Regional Commission staff, Bill Colvin, SustainableEconomic Development Director and Jim Sullivan, Executive Director, to develop a realistic scope of work and budget. The BCRC staff reviewed the proposed scope of work with Camoin Associates, aneconomic development firm, to confirm that the level of effort and hourly rates were reasonable. Aletter from Camoin Associates and a letter from BCRC has been uploaded as part of this MPG

$20,000

If awarded the MPG funds, Bennington will match the $20,000 in MPG funds with $42,000 in fundstheVermont Agency of Natural Resources will provide to the Town of Bennington for the completion of theDowntown Bennington Area Wide Plan for a total project budget of $62,000. A detailed Work PlanandBudget reflecting the level of effort and project cost for the entire project has been uploaded aspart of this MPG application.

$26,000


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Other Attachments

Document Name:

Attached Document:

Mailed to DHCD

Document Name:

Attached Document:

Mailed

to

DHCD

Document Name:

Attached Document:

Mailed to DHCD

Document Name:

Attached Document:

Mailed to DHCD

Document Name:

Attached Document:

Mailed to DHCD

Document Name:

Attached Document:

Mailed to DHCD

Document Name:

Attached Document:

Mailed to DHCD

Budget for Entire Project - $62,000

160265-DetailedBudget-EntireProject.pdf


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Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan Application

Documents

Transcript of Downtown Bennington Area Wide Plan Application