Burlington High School’s New Home at CityPlace Burlington

In September 2020, officials at Burlington High School received disturbing news—their building was contaminated with PCBs and was unsafe for students and faculty. This news, on top of the ever-increasing danger of the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitated a relocation of Burlington High School to a safe, secure location, with a serious re-evaluation of how future in-person learning would be structured. Many options were discussed, and the CityPlace Burlington Development Team proposed relocating the school to some of our vacant office space or re-purposing the former Macy’s building for the students’ new home.

After months of planning and negotiations, we came to an agreement with the Burlington School District Board of Directors. They decided to enter into a 3-1/2 year lease and relocate Burlington High School to the former Macy’s building at CityPlace Burlington. We are happy to say that the renovations are almost complete. Dave Farrington, CityPlace Burlington Development Partner, has led the effort to not only create the space, but to coordinate and oversee the complex logistics involved in re-purposing the large former retail space to function as the new home for nearly 1,000 students, the faculty, administrators and staff. Classrooms and working spaces have been designed with a focus on safety and security. The site has been tested for air quality, sound levels and other parameters to ensure a harmonious and efficient work environment for everyone.

“I am excited about what Macy’s offers both the BHS and our greater BSD community. Being downtown provides exciting and unique opportunities for deep learning that is connected to the lake and the city.”
—Tom Flanagan, Burlington School District Superintendent, November 19, 2020

Superintendent Tom Flanagan says this agreement has additional benefits to the Burlington School District: “This decision is part of a larger capital improvement strategy. The Board and I intentionally entered into a long-term lease with the understanding that if we can move back to the BHS/BTC campus sooner, we will be able to utilize the Macy’s building to complete our other outstanding capital plan projects.”

Media tour of the new Burlington High School home, the former Macy’s building
at CityPlace Burlington, December 29, 2020. Photo: Calvin Gooley

CityPlace Burlington has been, from the beginning, all about our community. We have worked with the City, our fellow residents and local business owners since day one to design and build a new City Center that responds to our Community’s need for responsible growth. Don Sinex purchased the Macy’s building in 2018 as part of the long-term development strategy of CityPlace Burlington—our ongoing commitment to provide new housing, retail and service businesses, better infrastructure, reconnected streets and improved neighborhoods to re-energize Downtown Burlington.

“We are overjoyed that we can help out our Burlington families and students by providing a safe and secure home for in-person learning. This project has been challenging and rewarding—it’s moving forward swiftly and I can’t wait to get these kids back to school!”
—Dave Farrington, CityPlace Burlington Development Partner, Owner of Farrington Construction

Read more about Burlington High School’s new home, in the media:
www.wcax.com
www.mychamplainvalley.com
www.mynbc5.com