Champlain College is poised to purchase a $1.1 million property from the city of Burlington to build a new apartment-style student housing project.
The Burlington City Council approved the sale of the Brown’s Court public parking lot, located at St. Paul and King streets in Burlington, at Monday night’s council meeting.
The college plans to build an apartment building with 80 to 90 rooms to house about 300 students on the site and an adjacent site, the former Eagle’s Club, which it bought in 2008.
The council voted unanimously to approve the sale.
Mayor Miro Weinberger said the council’s unanimous support will increase housing affordability, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood and improve the city’s finances.
The project itself has not been approved, just the sale of the property to the college. Other details, such as the project’s compliance with the city’s ordinances and zoning restrictions, will be voted on at a later date, councilors said. The purchase and sale agreement, which includes details of the sale, is still being processed.
Sharon Foley Bushor, I-Ward 1, said she is cautious of using city property for student housing. However, she said she is confident that the college will ensure that students do not disturb neighbors in the area.
Karen Paul, I-Ward 6, said there have been issues with Champlain College students in the ward, but the college deals with the problems expeditiously.
David Provost, Champlain College senior vice president for finance and administration, said the college is sensitive to neighbors’ concerns. Provost said he has reached out to all property owners adjacent to Brown’s Court.
No Burlington residents came to speak on the sale during the public comment period at Monday night’s council meeting.
The college is paying $75,000 more than city’s appraisal for the property, but Provost said that is a small price in a 100-year strategy to house students.
The city will continue to use the site for a public parking until construction begins. At that point, 38 public parking spaces in an underground garage will be reserved for public use, according to the sales agreement. While the city is using the parking lot, the college will not pay taxes on the property. The city will be responsible for the parking lot’s upkeep.
The developer is R.E.M. Development, a commercial and industrial real estate company.
Champlain College plans to house 1,200 students in the coming years, Provost said. About 600 will be housed in the city’s Hill section and the remainder housed near the city center.
