Montpelier Launches Colorful Bridge Lighting Project to Revitalize Downtown
Montpelier, VT – A vibrant celebration unfolded on Saturday as crowds gathered on Langdon Street to inaugurate a unique initiative aimed at revitalizing downtown Montpelier. The project will illuminate seven bridges over the Winooski River and its North Branch with colorful LED lights, enhancing the city’s winter evenings and special events.
Organized by Montpelier Alive, a local nonprofit that has been pivotal in the city’s recovery from the devastating July 2023 floods, the lighting project seeks to stimulate activity in a downtown that has struggled economically. Area businesses are still rebounding from the destructive flooding that impacted approximately 140 local establishments, combined with the lingering effects of reduced foot traffic following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This project is an exhibition of our resilience, our comeback after the flood,” stated Katie Trautz, executive director of Montpelier Alive. The festive kickoff included a lively parade through downtown featuring marchers adorned in costumes and carrying homemade lanterns. They crossed newly illuminated bridges, with the Brass Balagan street band leading the joyful procession.
The colorful lights will not only beautify the cityscape but also serve as a beacon of hope for the Montpelier community amidst ongoing recovery efforts. The illuminated bridges will be a striking sight, visible on winter nights, and are expected to attract more visitors to the downtown area, thereby supporting local businesses during the winter months.
As Montpelier continues its journey towards economic revitalization, this initiative symbolizes the community’s spirit and resilience, turning the challenges of recent months into an opportunity for hope and renewed commerce.
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Photo credit www.vermontpublic.org
