South Vermont News

The University of Vermont held a groundbreaking ceremony today for a new housing development, Catamount Run, to be constructed in South Burlington’s City Center in partnership with The Braverman Company and Snyder Homes.

Catamount Run will add more than 550 total beds – primarily for graduate students, faculty, and staff – to UVM’s housing options. Phase I of the project will involve the completion of roughly half the units (well over 250 beds) by next summer, with the additional units being finished and ready for occupancy by Fall 2025.

Catamount Run will add more than 550 beds - primarily for graduate students, faculty, and staff – to UVM's housing options. Phase I of the project will involve the completion of roughly half the units (well over 250 beds) by next summer, with the additional units being finished and ready for occupancy by Fall 2025. Artist rendering courtesy of the University of Vermont

“We are excited to break ground on this important project for our students and employees, adding much-needed housing to the area,” UVM President Suresh Garimella said. “We want to sincerely thank our partners on Catamount Run, and the City of South Burlington for its foresight in developing City Center with such a strong focus on housing.”

“Additional housing capacity is a critical need for our local communities and for our growing economy,” said Helen Riehle, chair of the South Burlington City Council, “We’re so pleased to welcome new residents from UVM to City Center. This is a very good development for South Burlington, and we’re thrilled to see the project getting underway today.”

UVM President Suresh Garimella hailed Catamount Run as an "important project" that is only one piece of the university's ongoing, multifaceted plan to add housing in the Greater Burlington area. “We look forward to not only seeing this project through, but also watching other such projects progress from the drawing board to completion and occupancy in the future,” Garimella said. Photo by David Seaver for the University of Vermont

Located minutes from UVM’s main campus, Catamount Run is the latest addition to one of northern Vermont’s most thriving development areas. Since its designation as a New Town Center for Vermont in January 2010, City Center has been transformed by the addition of significant new housing options, a new public library and City Hall, a public park and recreational path, multiple shared-use indoor and outdoor spaces and more.

Catamount Run will be an especially attractive housing option thanks to its clean, modern living environment and proximity to the University of Vermont, public transportation, grocery shopping, retail stores, restaurants, and other amenities.

“Our graduate students have been asking for this type of housing for years, and we are thrilled to follow through on delivering it,” said Cynthia Forehand, UVM Dean of the Graduate College.

Catamount Run reflects UVM’s commitment to cooperative housing solutions – in this case, partnering with City leaders and prominent local developers on a project that directly addresses the shortage of housing in the area. The University is exploring several other development options to fulfill its commitment to providing high quality space for students to learn and grow as engaged citizens of Greater Burlington.

“Catamount Run is one part of our multifaceted plan to grow our housing inventory,” Garimella said. “We look forward to not only seeing this project through, but also watching other such projects progress from the drawing board to completion and occupancy in the future.”

Garimella and Forehand were joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by Ron Lumbra, chair of the UVM Board of Trustees and Richard Cate, UVM Vice President for Finance and Administration, as well as South Burlington City Council Chair Helen Riehle and City Manager Jessie Baker. Chris Snyder and Ken Braverman represented UVM’s development partners on the project.

More information on UVM’s vision for cooperative housing solutions can be found at www.uvm.edu/future.

Original source can be found here.