Monday, Aug. 31—RUTLAND TOWN, WEST RUTLAND—The towns of Rutland and West Rutland will host the first of several public work sessions, which will focus on potential improvements to the Route 4A and Business Route 4 corridor, on Monday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the West Rutland Town auditorium.
The project is funded by a joint grant from the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, along with local funds contributed by both towns.
The “smart growth connection plan” will contain short- and long-term goals to revitalize the Route 4 corridor by improving safety, encouraging non-motorized travel, and “transportation improvements, streetscape enhancements, redevelopment scenarios and business development opportunities.
The study will include a market analysis offering a “detailed market snapshot” of the current market conditions in West Rutland and Rutland Town. This will be used to pinpoint areas for new commercial development.
The Towns have created a steering committee to help guide the work, with the assistance of hired consultants. The committee includes local land and business owners in the corridor from both towns, along with elected officials, town staff, regional staff, and state representatives.
So far, the committee and consultants have done an exhaustive review of existing conditions to make sure that all aspects of the Vermont Route 4A/Business Route 4 corridor are understood.
The first work session will focus on understanding local issues and concerns. Area residents and local business people are invited to attend the first public work session to learn about existing conditions, talk about the issues and discuss what might make sense for the future.
Local food providers will be on hand to offer samples of their fare as well.
To view a summary of the existing conditions and the overall issues that have been identified to date, please visit the Broadreach Planning & Design website at www.broadreachpd.com and go to Projects/Current and then West Rutland-Rutland Town Smart Growth Connection Plan or https://broadreachpd.com/west-rutland-rutland-town-smart-growth-connections-plan/
