Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced Wednesday that local philanthropist Tony Pomerleau is donating $500,000 to jump-start renovations in Burlington City Hall Park.
Shortly after the press conference, a trio of park hangers-on weighed in on the plans for a new splash fountain, performance stage, walkways and outdoor cafe. They were drinking and smoking on the back steps of City Hall in a cold, late-afternoon drizzle and looking out at the square of green that serves as downtown’s outdoor living room.
A new fountain would be great, said George Josler, but “you have to have a sign that says: ‘No Bums Bathing.'”
He and two friends, all of them formerly homeless, but now with secure housing, didn’t disagree with the subtle yet clear sentiments city leaders expressed at the announcement, revealing hopes that the renovation will bring wholesome activity to the park and discourage fights, drunkenness and drugs.
The park habitues liked the idea of more events and more police presence. The current scene at the park isn’t as bad as some might think, though, they said. “Nobody’s injecting things here,” Josler said. “Nobody’s snorting.”
The big redo is scheduled to start in summer 2017.
The public conversation about the downtown green space goes back decades and has often touched on the park’s split personality – sometimes sketchy and scary, sometimes happy and vibrant. The gift from Pomerleau could help bring out the positive and the lively.
During the press conference, held at Burlington City Arts, children filled the room, marking Pomerleau’s long history of giving to non-profits such as the Greater Burlington YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington. Pomerleau and his wife, Rita Pomerleau, made the gift to the park in memory of their daughter Anne Marie Pomerleau, who was a teacher.
Their names will be engraved in the new fountain.
The gift pushes the approximately $2.5 million project closer to reality, announced a grateful Mayor Weinberger. “Thank you Tony for so many contributions to this community,” the mayor said to the 98-year-old Pomerleau. The self-made insurance and shopping-mall magnate sat in the front row, looking dapper in a blue seersucker jacket and grey slacks. He did not miss the opportunity to reel off a few quips. “I’ve got a feeling you’re going to come back for more,” Pomerleau said to Weinberger.
The mayor replied: “I know where you live.”
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The mayor has allowed, since the smoking an on Church St., City Hall Park to decline into absolute squalor. Sounds like the “habitues” were being ironic. Bums do and will bathe in the fountain, even as they use the rest of the park as their ashtray and cot. They say they’re not “snorting” or “shooting” but they’re openly smoking weed, fighting, swearing, screaming, and blocking paths and benches… no one could enjoy the park on an average workday, least of all with a child.
My guess is that all those “crack sacks” and tiny bags don’t all contain marijuana.
I’m a liberal, tolerant citizen. But I’m also a father and a taxpayer. What goes on right outside the mayor’s office at all hours of every day is a scandal.
Now the question is which one of the mayor’s developer buddies is going to get that money to fix up the park?
WOW!! THANK YOU Tony Pomerleau; I’ve been DESPERATELY waiting for this to happen for decades! AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. This is one of the most depressing places in Burlington, and looks like it will now be one of the nicest. I live on Church Street and consider this park to be one of the sketchiest places downtown. Hoping this completely wipes that away and it becomes a beautiful park like every other city in the country enjoys.
For other history lovers, check out this photo of the park in 1859!
https://www.arts.gov/exploring-our-town/si…
Nice. A anti crackhead plan for the park. Smart move if you own a bunch of real estate near the park and need the prices to go up. Now the only part missing is where to push them all. Maybe in front of small business on Church so no one wants to shop there.
This is a beneficial and generous act, but can’t we have one peaceful place protected from the intrusion of personal or corporate graffiti? Conspicuous donation has gotten out of hand with the naming of a fountain in a public space.
Lets just eliminate all those people around us, who make us uncomfortable, let’s just gather them up and send them away. That is what you are saying. As a Vermonter I am proud to live in such a beautiful place, but when I hear comments disproving of the lifestyle of another, it makes me ashamed to live here. I could name a few people I could do without, we all could, however they are in my life for a purpose and as humans they have equal rights, as you or I have. I do not know the stories of each individual who is without a home. While some may chose that life, others had no choice, and until you know each persons story (does everyone know yours?) It’s time to put judgement and hate to rest, and find a way to meet their needs better. Life is uncomfortable sometimes. I have a better idea, lets love them better, and perhaps their desire for something better will increase. If no one loved you would you be where you are now? Think about it.
Maybe their is an exchange of heart and understanding and communication, that needs to happen between the homeless and those who are wealthy enough to live in our beautiful but extremely expensive state.