GREENSBORO – Over the past year Greensboro community members have voiced an interest in community spaces, new businesses, affordable housing, new recreational resources, improvements in services and the preservation of historical structures. To address some of these needs, the Greensboro Community Trust (GCT) is building on the work of the Bend Revitalization Initiative, through managing and funding specific projects to improve the social and economic conditions of the Greater Greensboro Community.
photo by Chris Steel.
The GCT’s first project, ”The Steeple” is re-imagining and revitalizing the former Methodist Church and parsonage on Main Street in Greensboro Bend.
This past year, the group hosted community engagement sessions which included opening the church to community members to envision the building and property’s future during the annual Bend block party.
Following organizational work, the GCT signed an option to purchase agreement with The New England Conference of the United Methodist Church Inc. on October 13, for a 12-month term.
“We are excited to be planning another great project in Greensboro Bend following the success of the Bend Revitalization Initiative with the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail,” said Jane Johns, GCT board member and treasurer.
“That project would never have succeeded if it wasn’t for the grants, community donations, the Greensboro road crew and all the volunteers involved with the trailhead gardens, table and benches, historic signs and the installation of the mural. The GCT Board, along with community members, are looking forward to working together to determine how to transform the Methodist Church property into a community asset.”
photo by Chris Steel.
The work of the GCT will be led by board members, Diane Cloutier, Cathy Donnolly, Nancy Hill, Jane Johns, Chris Leary, Michael Malick, Alexis Mattos, Naomi Ranz-Schleifer, Liz Steel and Nick Wright.
An advisory circle of community members will support the GCT Board.
The board is part of the inaugural cohort of Village Trust Initiative participants, working to grow community capacity, preserve a sense of place and ensure Greensboro is a dynamic place for future generations.
The GCT is a registered 501(c)3, and joins a collection of trust organizations across the state working to enhance local capacity in support of vital community assets and vibrant village centers. The Village Trust Initiative is a partnership program made possible by Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, Vermont Community Foundation, and a congressionally-directed spending award from former Senator Leahy.
“We see a lot of hope in Vermont villages like Greensboro Bend,” said Ben Doyle, president of the Preservation Trust of Vermont. “When people in a village come together to save the gathering places and historic buildings that matter to them, they are modeling what community can look like when we work together. That’s what the Village Trust Initiative is all about.”
With support from the Preservation Trust of Vermont and their team of experts, GCT is now embarking on a process of environmental review, water and wastewater assessment, property evaluations and architectural planning. The outcome of that activity will determine the feasibility of the property to meet a variety of needs and wants identified in the community engagement sessions. Ongoing workshops will be held next year to solicit additional community feedback and input as plans develop.
“After a year of collecting community feedback about the possibility of transforming the former Methodist Church parcel for community benefit, we’re thrilled to be taking this next step on the project and thankful to have such an energized board with diverse perspectives to guide the Greensboro Community Trust as we navigate the many phases still to come,” said Naomi
Ranz-Schleifer, GCT Board president.
“This is just the beginning. While we dig into the specifics of this project, we are also working to build community capacity, partnerships and a community trust that can serve us long into the future.”
