Housing Vermont Receives Two Smart Growth Vermont Awards
 From left: Noelle Mackay, Smart Growth Vermont; Erik Hoekstra, Redstone; Nancy Owens, Housing Vermont; Amy Demetrowitz, Champlain Housing Trust & John Ewing, Smart Growth Vermont |
Two Housing Vermont developments were among the four projects which received awards from Smart Growth Vermont at its September 16 event. The awards honor projects which embrace smart growth principles to keep Vermont a great place to live.
The Village of Proctorsville, one of the two village centers in the Town of Cavendish, is located on the main route to the popular Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow. This proximity has contributed to housing costs greater than much of Windsor County and has spurred the conversion of year-round homes to seasonal housing. Using a combination of historic renovation and thoughtfully designed new construction, Housing Vermont partnered with the Rockingham Area Community Land Trust and the Town of Cavendish to create 20 permanently affordable apartments and four permanently affordable townhomes right on a newly constructed village green within walking distance of two churches, the school, the library, firehouse and several stores. The Proctorsville Green project also includes space for the village post office and a yarn and fabric arts shop.
The Village of Proctorsville, one of the two village centers in the Town of Cavendish, is located on the main route to the popular Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow. This proximity has contributed to housing costs greater than much of Windsor County and has spurred the conversion of year-round homes to seasonal housing. Using a combination of historic renovation and thoughtfully designed new construction, Housing Vermont partnered with the Rockingham Area Community Land Trust and the Town of Cavendish to create 20 permanently affordable apartments and four permanently affordable townhomes right on a newly constructed village green within walking distance of two churches, the school, the library, firehouse and several stores. The Proctorsville Green project also includes space for the village post office and a yarn and fabric arts shop.
In accepting the award on behalf of Housing Vermont and RACLT, Housing Vermont President Nancy Owens noted that “Vermont’s downtowns and village centers are integral to what makes Vermont special. By working with town officials, nonprofits, public agencies, and investors we can ensure that these community assets remain vibrant and relevant. The Proctorsville Green project is a terrific example of integrating housing and commercial activities in a smart growth model.”
The second award recognized Housing Vermont’s participation with nonprofit and private enterprise to renovate the Banknorth Block in Burlington’s downtown. The overall project combined a mix of homes and office space within easy walking distance of several bus routes, jobs, shops, schools and Burlington’s waterfront. Housing Vermont partnered with the Champlain Housing Trust to construct King Street Apartments, a building which provides 20 affordable apartments and 13,550 square feet of commercial space, including new offices for CHT. Farrell Real Estate and Redstone renovated two historic homes and converted the historic O. L. Hinds factory into 15 market rate condominiums.
Smart Growth Vermont is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to forging growth and conservation solutions for Vermont communities and working rural lands.