Renovation of a mixed-use development in Barre, Vermont. Completed plans call for the renovation of a stadium; and municipal facility.

https://www.timesargus.com/news/local/flood-related-demolition-starts-in-barre-contractor-picked-for-public-works-project/article_d9f906f1-b057-47d1-8fd4-12ea49a9ddd1.html BARRE — Demolition of some homes damaged in a three-year-old flood is underway, and city councilors have taken another step toward occupying a new public works complex by this time next year. On a night when councilors advanced an ordinance targeting “nuisance properties,” as well as plans to leverage federal funding for improvements to the Barre Municipal Auditorium, they learned flood recovery efforts just entered a new stage, and continued to pave the way for a new home for the public works department. Though the St. Albans-like ordinance is a “work-in-progress,” and the auditorium upgrade was the subject of a conditional vote, councilors were told some flood-related buyouts are past the point of no return, even as they agreed to retain a Williston contractor to quarterback the public works project. Buyout update City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro briefed councilors on a buyout process that has been more “wait” than “hurry up” for owners of many properties damaged beyond repair during historic flooding in July 2023. In the aftermath of the flood, the council approved 27 requests for buyouts under the Federal Emergency Management Program’s hazard mitigation program. Over the summer, the first few closings were held — the number is now nine, will be 11 by week’s end, and an even dozen on Dec. 8. As closings continue to be scheduled, Storellicastro said demolition of the first few homes has started, and four should be completed in coming days. One — a home on Oswald Street that was damaged by a flood-induced landslide — is already gone, and the contractor was working on two neighboring Pike Street homes that were approved for buyouts due to a separate landslide. Once those homes are razed and the site is graded, the contractor will move to Currier Street to level a flood-damaged home there. The properties that are acquired and razed with federal hazard mitigation money can never be redeveloped and the council, which fielded more requests for buyouts than it could comfortably approve focused mostly on riverside properties that would allow strategic expansion of the flood plain. Though the landslide properties were a necessary exception to that rule, Barre’s landscape along the Stevens Branch of the Winooski River and its tributaries will change when demolition work resumes next year. That includes both properties — one on Scampini Square, and the other on Harrington Avenue — that are scheduled for closings on Friday, and the River Street property that will be the subject of the Dec. 8 closing. Contractor picked Fresh off a successful $3.3 million bond vote that will finance renovations needed to convert a Morrison Road warehouse into a new public works complex, councilors made quick work of a contract Storellicastro said would expedite the project. The subject of a competitive process that attracted four proposals, Storellicastro said the one submitted by DEW Construction Corp. was the unanimous choice of a screening team that included Public Works Director Brian Baker, Planning Director Janet Shatney, the city’s architect, and himself. According to just-approved contract, DEW will be paid roughly $365,000 to manage a renovation project that will enable the city to abandon its undersized, functional obsolete, and flood-prone public works complex on Burnham Street. Once complete, the campus, will allow bringing the entire public works department under one structurally sound roof. That includes Baker’s office, which is in City Hall. Storellicastro said DEW is ready to start mobilizing contractors and subcontractors needed to complete the renovations in April, and is confident it will be ready for occupancy by this time next year. Aud upgrade Councilors conditionally authorized Storellicastro to execute a contract that plans to upgrade the Barre Municipal Auditorium using a $3.5 million federal congressional earmark secured by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders three years ago. Storellicastro recommended signing a $113,000 contract with ReArch Construction as part of a design-build arrangement for the work that will include improvements to the auditorium’s HVAC, and electrical systems, and address accessibility issues. That assumes the design-build approach is acceptable to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is the source of most of the money obtained by Sanders. Storellicastro said the alternative would involve investing more than $250,000 in construction documents as part of a more conventional process that involves employing an architect first, and then soliciting bids from contractors. During the government shutdown, Storellicastro said the city solicited proposals for both options, and while he was recommending one, he received authorization to execute either to move the project forward. With the USDA’s blessing, Storellicastro said the scope of the work will be refined during the first phase of the design-build process, and financed with the earmark secured by Sanders, as well as one of two $250,000 grants the city was awarded from the state’s Municipal Energy Resilience Program. The other grant was for work at City Hall. Ordinance advances An ordinance that would give the city some flexibility in addressing properties that are the source of repetitive criminal complaints, and passed its first test Tuesday night, but Mayor Thomas Lauzon said it is far from the finish line. The ordinance, which was largely borrowed from St. Albans, prompted questions, and some mild concerns from councilors concerned about how and when it would be used. However, all agreed the general idea — creating an avenue to address properties perceived as nuisances — was worth more conversation. Storellicastro said the draft ordinance, which has been vetted by the city attorney, could be useful, and the language could be refined to address any concerns that may surface. He said at least one more public hearing would be required, but more could be scheduled if material changes are made to the language in response to feedback from the public or the council. “This (draft ordinance) is a work in progress,” Lauzon said, noting the absence of opposition to allowing Storellicastro to continue to fine-tune the language before scheduling a second hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------- The City of Barre, Vermont is soliciting proposals for renovations for energy efficiency and ADA access. Qualified contractors are invited to submit proposals for construction bid documentation. All questions are to be submitted via email to tom.baker@barrecity.org, on or before Oct 30, 2025. All questions will be answered by Oct 31,2025. Any questions received and answers provided will be posted on the City’s website under this project in the Bids & Proposals section. The project consists of upgrades to the Aud and City Hall as described in their respective funding grant documents. The scope of work included in the grant documents is as follows: 1. Auditorium a. Municipal Energy Resilience Program Level II Energy Assessment - Grant $250,0000. i. Foundation insulation ii. Exterior door and/or weatherstripping upgrades iii. Exterior window replacement iv. Lighting upgrade to LED v. Ventilation added to the building vi. Kitchen exhaust and make up air added vii. Heat pumps added as primary heating b. Congressionally Directed Spending - Grant $3,500,000. i. ADA access to basement and bathrooms ii. Electrical upgrade to support new mechanical systems iii. Boiler replacement 2. City Hall & Opera House a. Municipal Energy Resilience Program Level II Energy Assessment - Grant $250,000. i. Roof insulation increase ii. Attic wall insulation added iii. Exterior door weatherstripping upgrades iv. Lighting upgrade to LED v. Thermostats upgraded to programmable vi. Ventilation added to City Hall offices It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded on or after October 29, 2025. Contracts over $25,000 require prior approval by the City Council in accordance with the City of Barre Procurement Policy. Work may commence by Immediately and must be completed no later than February 1, 2026. The commencement of work under this contract on the date of issuance of the notice to proceed and to fully complete the project within the time specified in the contract documents. The contractor agrees to pay as liquidated damages the sum of $500 for each day thereafter. The City reserves the right to reject any/all bids at its discretion if such action is deemed in the best interests of the municipality. The City reserves the right to accept the bid deemed to be in the best interest of the City of Barre, even if it is not the lowest bid. The City of Barre also reserves the right not to award the contract to any bidder, if not making an award is deemed to be in the best interest of the City. All bidders, successful or unsuccessful, will receive notice of the City's decision to either accept or not accept their bid within five working days after a bid has been accepted.