Ribbon-cutting reveals new phase of the Moran Plant

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - The city of Burlington Tuesday celebrated the latest phase in the rebirth of the former Moran Plant on the city’s waterfront.

It’s been 30 years since the former cola-fired plant was decommissioned, and after many attempts to figure out what to do at the site, they officially cut the ribbon on the Moran FRAME, the structure made from the bones of the original structure

“Today marks the transitioning of this space from the unsustainable energy of coal to the cleanest most renewable energy that there is, creativity,” said Doreen Kraft with Burlington City Arts.

City leaders took an opportunity to explore Burlington’s new exhibit. For decades it was the symbol of coal-powered energy on Burlington’s waterfront. Now, after a $6 million makeover and two years of decommissioning, it is open for creative use.

“The Moran Frame, this revived steel superstructure, represents the rebirth of the post-industrial northern waterfront we’ve been working on since 2014. And the reclamation of this site on the shores of Lake Champlain is a treasure for Burlingtonians -- and visitors alike -- to know and enjoy,” said Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger/D-Burlington

The mayor says the FRAME will be a centerpiece for events down at the newly named Waterworks Park, including outdoor recreation, community programming, and local commerce. Weinberger and city officials previewed new hammock stations that will be popping up next spring and summer.

“The striking red steel superstructure becomes a literal framework for creative expression to unfold within, beneath, and around. Simultaneously a gallery and a park, a stage and a shelter, a playground and a market, an ever-evolving public space,” said Zach Campbell with the group Friends of The FRAME.

There are concerns the public could use the FRAME as a climbing structure, something that many warning signs around the site warn against. Officials say they hope the different levels of the structure can be used in the future, but it’s not set up for that now. “It’s an object and a space people have to keep an eye on and report what they see as it unfolds,” said Jesse Beck with the design firm Freeman French Freeman.

The mayor says there are no immediate plans for future phases and that they will be taking note of how it’s used to inform future decisions.

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Burlington’s Moran FRAME project takes shape

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