DEVELOPMENTS IN PROGRESS
10th cavalary, colchester
CHAMPLAIN HOUSING TRUST and our development partner Evernorth will redevelop three vacant buildings in Colchester recently purchased from St. Michael’s College. These beautiful buildings, part of the Fort Ethan Allen Historic District, were initially constructed as military barracks. CHT will convert them into 65 affordable one-bedroom and studio apartments. The apartments will be occupied with people of a variety of income levels. Creating more housing options is one step CHT is taking to address the challenges of homelessness and 11 of these apartments will be for people formerly unhoused. Champlain Housing Trust is excited that the conversion of these existing buildings from dormitory use to affordable rental homes not only offers much needed new housing, but also prevents deterioration of historical resources, brings vacant buildings back to life, and generates vibrancy to this well-liked neighborhood.
In the early 20th century, long before they were college dorms, these three buildings, Hamel, Purtill and Dupont Halls, served as barracks to the 10th Cavalry, one of the first peacetime U.S. Army regiments made up of all Black soldiers after the Civil War. Nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers,” the Cavalry also had a troubled charge: they were deployed to western regions to clear land from Indigenous peoples and claim it for new settlers. This history is documented on a plaque at the property. In recognition of this past, the buildings have been named 10th Cavalry Apartments.
• 65 affordable one-bedroom and studio apartments
• Amenities will include a community room and community laundry
Estimated completion is May 2025 with phased occupancy beginning with first building expected in November 2024.
POST APARTMENTS, burlington
CHT and our development partner Evernorth will redevelop the site of the Howard Plant VFW Post 782 on South Winooski Avenue in downtown Burlington. The new five-story building will include 38 new affordable apartments, and two nonprofit commercial spaces on the groundfloor – a new home for the VFW Post 782, and a space for lease.
• 38 affordable apartments – 8 studio, 26 one-bedroom and 4 two-bedroom apartments
• Amenities will include community laundry, and fifth floor community room and rooftop deck
Estimated completion date Fall 2025.
bay ridge, shelburne
When Champlain Housing Trust purchased the Econo Lodge on Shelburne Road in 2013 and began operating it as Harbor Place, there was always the idea that the property had a different future. That future is now.
The new Bay Ridge neighborhood, at Shelburne Road and Champlain Drive, will include 94 new permanently affordable homes including 68 affordable apartments for rent and 26 affordable condominiums for sale, a new neighborhood street, and a playground.
These 94 new permanently affordable homes will add significantly to the quantity and affordability of Shelburne’s housing stock. In the mix of apartments are 21 three and four bedroom rentals to provide more options for larger families. As with other new properties, some of the apartments will be set aside for people exiting homelessness, some will be affordable to households earning 60% of area median income, and some will be affordable to households earning 80% of area median income.
The condominiums will be sold through CHT’s Shared Equity program, ensuring that they will remain affordable for generations of homeowners and that Shelburne will always have some affordable homeownership available in the community.
• 94 new permanently affordable homes including 68 affordable apartments for rent and 26 affordable condominiums for sale, a new neighborhood street, and a playground
• Amenities in the rental buildings will include a community room, community laundry, and underground parking
Estimated completion Summer/Fall 2025.
Feeding Chittenden–Addition, Burlington
CHT is working with CVOEO to build a two-story addition to the Feeding Chittenden building at 228 North Winooski Ave. in Burlington. CHT owns the building, but CVOEO has operated a hot meals program, emergency grocery distribution and job training from the building since 1994. In 2022, they welcomed the Community Resource Center to the space to provide a warm (or cool) place for people experiencing homelessness to access food, clothing, computers, emergency housing resources, essential services and support in accessing public benefits, shelter and permanent housing.
The building is a constant hive of activity and desperately needs to be expanded. The construction project will add 2,000 square feet for expanded dining and resources center space and administrative offices. We also plan to reconfigure the parking lot to make it safer for pedestrians.
Construction will begin in Fall 2024 once all funding is committed.
Champlain Place–RENOVATION, Burlington
In October 2023, CHT took title to ANEW Place (Champlain Inn) at 165 Shelburne Road in Burlington and partnered with CVOEO to continue to operate the building as an emergency shelter. The property needs some renovations including upgrades to the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems; improved fencing and security systems; the addition of a building-wide sprinkler system and accessibility modifications. CHT will be managing the renovations while CVOEO operates the shelter at a slightly reduced capacity.
Construction will being in Spring 2024 and be complete by Fall 2024.