The following post was written by longtime Burlington City & Lake Semester community partner, Peggy O'Neill-Vivanco. Peggy wears many hats in the city, including her leadership of the Vermont Clean Cities Coalition, housed at the UVM Transportation Research Center, and her role chairing the Public Works Commission. Peggy is passionate about transportation access and equity, and about ensuring that youth voices are included in public decision-making. 

---

In 2022, the DPW and the Public Works Commission reached out to Burlington City & Lake students (BCL9) and held a youth-centered Transportation Consultancy on the Main Street project. Centering the youth perspective in a 2-hour workshop was transformative for all. Students had the language and user experience in Burlington to offer real critiques and suggestions on the project – including concerns about accessibility, green space, safe bike lanes, safer bus access and pedestrian amenities for those who chose not to drive or who do not have access to a vehicle. Subsequent BCL consultancy work helped surface the unheard voices of elementary age students and seniors, and bring those voices to transportation professionals. Clearly, we are better as a city with youth at the table. 

On February 5th , Mayor Weinberger kicked off the construction phase of the Great Streets Main Street project in downtown Burlington. This project represents a large investment in Burlington’s downtown infrastructure and community vitality. Beneath the streets lies the old ravine that was used by the Vermont Central Railroad in the 1850s and then in the 1880s served as Burlington’s sewer system. To improve our transportation system, and invest in housing and businesses for our future, Burlington needed to replace that 150-year-old sewer system. With the Great Streets standards and Burlington guiding plans (planBTV, Burlington Transportation Plan and Nature-Based Solutions), the Department of Public Works (DPW) began its Great Streets BTV downtown street design and concept in 2016. 

Part of the Public Works process involves outreach, feedback, and updates to the project as the design and engineering teams move from concept to plan to implementation. Generally, public engagement is with the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPA), Public Works Commission, and some community meetings. What is often missing are the voices and perspectives of the youth in our community. 

Since BCL students study city systems and live in Burlington, they are well-positioned to contribute creative solutions that address the evolving challenges in transportation, such as environmental concerns, access, and changing mobility preferences. Involving BCL in city projects like the Main Street initiative ensures that the project team has fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and that the outcome is more reflective of the community’s aspirations and needs. It’s also an opportunity for youth to begin to understand the complexities of urban planning, transportation infrastructure, and equity issues.

It was a fantastic opportunity to attend the Great Streets Main Street press conference with BCL. The students represent the face of youth today and the future of Burlington. Students reminded decision-makers and city officials that youth involvement is possible, accessible and a necessary component of all our work. It was fun to see BCL students photographed side-by-side with the mayor, and to sign the pipe that will be buried under our streets that will serve as a foundation to this historic project. 

How cool is that for a school day?!