Description

"Carr, Lynch Associates designed a four-block pedestrian mall, the Church Street Marketplace, for Burlington's main street. The Marketplace features a steel and glass canopy to protect pedestrians from Burlington's frequent storms; unique paving; boulder groupings; native plantings; and new street furniture and lighting. There are also enclosed bus shelters, a fountain with sculptures, and a garden at City Hall. Retail was rejuvenated, and there are now many outdoor cafes contributing to the street life. The Marketplace was designed to reflect the special character and location of Burlington and the Vermont environment, with native trees and boulder groupings recalling the native landscape. CLA engaged five Vermont artists who produced works for the street and then assisted the Marketplace Commission in developing an ongoing program of local entertainment and cultural activity."

Street Life: "The Marketplace encouraged stores to open under the protecting canopies, and street vendors, open air cafes and restaurants enliven the mall."

Arts: "Carr, Lynch Associates engaged five Vermont artists to produce works for the street, such as the sculptural take on Vermont mountains shown in the adjacent photo. In addition to creating their own artworks, the designers found boulders on nearby farms and organized them in groupings to recall the Vermont natural landscape. They are appreciated by children and adults."

Activity Program: "Craftspeople, musicians, and performers help attract visitors to the marketplace and add to their enjoyment while there. Carr, Lynch Associates assisted the Marketplace Commission in developing an ongoing program of entertainment and cultural activity. The Commission carries on by encouraging and regulating street activity and mounting programs of seasonal celebrations."

Earth Line: "The Church Street Marketplace Earth Line locates Burlington on the globe, relative to many other cities. It was an invention of Kevin Lynch. The Earth Line is the longitudinal line, at W73 degrees, 13’ West Longitude and 106 degrees, 47’ East Longitude, on which only the city of Burlington falls. Stretching through the center of the marketplace, a granite strip represents this Earth Line, with North and South Poles at the ends of the street. Located throughout the Marketplace paving, whose pattern is random like the soil (determined by Steve Carr with a deck of cards), are markers naming cities of five million or more which fall within the street width, at the same scale as the Earth Line. Cities in the Eastern Hemisphere read facing north and those in the Western Hemisphere facing south. We left the Earth Line to be discovered, without explanation. It became a well-loved feature. Later, Burlington added a pavement representation of the East and West Hemispheres, with the Earth Line running through them, and an explanatory plaque."

Additional Sources:

- Gene Bunnell, "Great Public Spaces: The Key to Building Communities," Planning (December 2008): 10-15.