DOWNTOWN WINOOSKI, VERMONT - LIVE, SHOP, RELAX

Winooski Community Partnership Contact Information:

Winooski Community Partnership Projects

WCP is and will be involved in multiple projects in its mission to support Downtown Winooski and greater community. For example, the WCP led the planning and coordination for the RiverWalk Celebration on June 30, 2006, which featured 40 vendors, 3 bands, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the mayor and the Governor, and fireworks over the Winooski River. The WCP is now planning other events for the downtown and is in the process of establishing an annual events calendar.

Improve Downtown Infrastructure
WCP will be an ally with the City of Winooski, providing energy and input, to address parking, traffic, lighting, sidewalks, signage, accessibility and other infrastructure issues that may arise Downtown.
Partners: City of Winooski and regional organizations.

Bringing State and Federal Money Downtown
By writing grants, using Downtown Designation to provide priority to grants and finding other funding sources, WCP is committed to bringing all available outside resources to bear on Downtown projects.
Partners: City of Winooski, VT Downtown Program, Downtown businesses and organizations.

Facilitate Downtown Designation Benefits
WCP is committed to supporting and assisting business owners, property owners and downtown organizations as they access the many benefits of “Downtown Designation”. WCP will provide outreach about designation possibilities and act as liaison with the VT Downtown Program.

Support Creative Arts
WCP will promote Downtown Winooski and the RiverWalk as a destination for performance and artistic expression.
Partners: Discover Jazz Festival, VT Council on Rural Development (Creative Economies)

Bring Events (and People) Downtown
There will always be something fun and interesting to do Downtown, if WCP has our way. We will put on new Downtown events, collaborate with other organizations to do so and do what we can to assist with existing events.
Partners: unlimited.

Provide Technical Assistance to Downtown Merchants
WCP will hold workshops and institute "mini-grants" to provide Downtown businesses with the resources and information they need to be successful in their endeavors and maintain the area's vibrancy.
Partners: business owners, property owners, community groups, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation other regional organizations.

Create and Sustain Community Partnerships
There are many organizations and individuals both in and outside Downtown Winooski that have something important to offer through collaboration. WCP will continuously seek to make inroads with any willing parties in our Downtown efforts.
Partners: unlimited.

Market Study
WCP will explore the possibility of a grant to fund a study of Downtown including an inventory of existing space and resources, a survey of public opinion in Winooski and surrounding areas and an analysis of various market niches that Downtown Winooski fills. The result would be a set of recommendations for marketing Downtown, encouraging businesses to locate here and achieving short and long term improvements.
Partners: City of Winooski, regional organizations.

WCP will also drive and be involved in other activities:

- Development and maintenance of a Downtown Winooski website.
- Helping new businesses and organizations relocate to Downtown Winooski
- Provide frequent and current communication to all the stakeholders of Winooski

Winooski Community Partnership is committed to a long-term comprehensive revitalization effort and seeks to make Downtown Winooski a better place to live, visit, work, shop, do business, dine, and be entertained. There are many opportunities for community members to become involved. For more information, please contact Trevor Squirrell, WCP Director, at 802-655-6435 or tsquirre@sover.net.