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Colchester Avenue Intersection Condemnation

At a glance

  • What: Condemnation proceedings for the Colchester Avenue, Riverside Avenue, Barrett Street and Mill Street intersection project (federal project STP 5000(29), tied to the Burlington-Winooski Bridge project BF RAIZ(2)), a Department of Public Works project.
  • Status: Site visit May 21, compensation hearing closed June 1, Decisions and Orders approved unanimously June 29, 2026.
  • Next: The Mayor executes the Decisions and the corresponding easements and documents after City Attorney review.

Detail

Site visit, May 21, 2026: seven councilors and the Mayor met at Colchester Avenue and Mill Street and visited three affected Colchester Avenue properties; Acting Mayor Traverse presided after the Mayor left at 8:38 am.

Compensation hearing, June 1, 2026: the Mayor reopened the hearing at 7:23 pm. Kristen Shamis (MS Law) said parcels PO 1 and PO 10 had settled and were no longer part of the hearing, pointed to the VTrans right-of-way manual and noted the compensation amount recommended in the submitted exhibit (the minutes give no figure). Singh asked about changed access and what is compensable, using stairs as an example. Staff offered two options: close the hearing and have staff prepare an Order Determining Damages, or continue to June 15. Traverse moved, Bergman seconded, to close the hearing and determine the order of compensation; the roll call recorded 13 ayes (all twelve councilors and the Mayor) and no nays. Present for the project team: Stephen Spear (HNTB), Barbara Dimick-Rowell and Michael LaCroix (VTrans), all online; Madeline Suender and Laura Wheelock (Public Works) in person.

Decisions, June 29, 2026: the Council, sitting with the Mayor presiding, was asked to authorize the Mayor to execute two Decisions and Orders: (a) the alteration of the public intersection and condemnation of a portion of it, and (b) the determination of compensation for the taking of land. Laura Wheelock spoke to the item. Bergman moved and Singh seconded approval as presented; it passed unanimously. Compare the Cherry Street proceedings in Cherry Street Condemnation Decisions.

Sources

Log

2026-06-29 - City Council With Mayor Presiding

Item 5.1. Both Decisions and Orders approved unanimously.

2026-06-01 - City Council With Mayor Presiding

Item 2.1. Compensation hearing reopened; PO 1 and PO 10 settled out; hearing closed to determine the order of compensation, 13 ayes.

2026-05-21 - City Council With Mayor Presiding Site Visit

Site visit to the affected properties; agenda adopted unanimously, adjourned 9:11 am.