Old North End Community Center
Built in 1929, St. Joseph School for decades was the heart of Burlington’s Old North End. To save this critical community asset, Champlain Housing Trust purchased and completely renovated the building into a thriving community center serving an estimated 4,000 people through the programs of its nonprofit tenants as well as public events.
Demonstrating our commitment to—and the community’s need for—the project, Champlain Housing Trust installed a new elevator in the building before the purchase was completed. Working with many partners, the reimagined building is now a locus of activity thanks to tenants including Robin’s Nest Children’s Center, The Family Room, Very Merry Theatre, and AALV, which helps new Americans from all parts of the world gain independence. And so, so much more.
O’Brien Community Center
In partnership with the City of Winooski and nonprofits tenants, Champlain Housing Trust will lead the redevelopment of the O’Brien Community Center to substantially add to the array and quality of services available to the community while ensuring long-term sustainability of the property.
- Modernizing medical and dental equipment, operated by the Community Health Centers, will improve the array of health services available.
- The Winooski Memorial Library will be transformed into a contemporary community library and include an expanded collection, new technology, and community rooms.
- New shared spaces in the redevelopment will satisfy affordable meeting space needs by community-led groups.
- An event hall will be created for larger gatherings.
- A new professional-grade kitchen will be available as an incubator for food business start-ups as well as community groups.
- UVM Medical Center’s existing physical therapy pool – a rare resource in Vermont communities – will remain, as will the headquarters for Vermont Works for Women.
Champlain Housing Trust will own, manage, and maintain the building. CHT will lease space to the nonprofit and public entities and will make some of the facility available – primarily an event hall and kitchen – for community members to rent.
