The Center is just $143,000 away from raising the full $5.9 million cost of transforming a historic building into a cornerstone of the St. Johnsbury community.

The project is creating nine much-needed apartments for middle-income workers and two revitalized commercial spaces, including a storefront for a new business, Three Rivers Bikes and Boards and an artist-in-residence studio for Catamount Arts. 

The project takes an innovative approach to addressing the pressing need for quality housing for workers and families in the region. “In the role of a nonprofit developer, the Center can combine low-cost capital and philanthropic donations to tackle projects that commercial developers can’t take on,” said Rob Riley, president of the Northern Forest Center. “Since we’re mission-driven and because we can use less expensive capital, we’re able to create high quality housing yet rent it at rates that local workers can afford.”

The community has shown strong support for the project, which is repurposing the historic 1909 armory and community dance hall to serve today’s St. Johnsbury residents.

“The housing shortage is one of the biggest challenges for people moving to our area and a top concern for employers trying to recruit talent,” said Gillian Sewake, director of the St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce who grew up in the area and returned to help strengthen her community. “Housing is central to building a vibrant community, and this project is a crucial investment in St. Johnsbury’s future. I’m eager to see it come to life and contribute to making our town a place where people can truly thrive.” 

Since beginning redevelopment in late 2023, the Northern Forest Center has worked with HP Cummings, a construction manager in Vermont and New Hampshire, and more than a dozen contractors from the region to reach significant milestones both inside and outside the building. Crews replaced the roof and all the windows and are hanging the last of the drywall, installing cabinets, painting, and restoring wood flooring. Outside, contractors have completed utility connections, installed new walkways, and removed and replaced contaminated soil. 

If fundraising keeps pace with the renovations, the building is on track to be complete in March 2025 and ready for occupancy in April. The Center will announce the process for applying for apartment rentals, which include a mix of studio-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, in early 2025. 

Making a Positive Difference 

Tabitha Bowling of East Burke, a Center board member, emphasized the impact even a modest number of new apartments can have in the region. “People might look at this from the outside and say, ‘Nine units isn’t that much; you’re just scratching the surface.’ But it does make a difference. It’s nine more units that are viable for teachers or nurses or young entrepreneurs – the whole spectrum of that income bracket. It’s an innovative model to address the housing shortage that serves as a positive example for catalytic impact in St. Johnsbury and across the region.” 

“More than 30 people have stepped up to support the project,” said Kristen Sharpless, director of development for the Center. “Their gifts, together with grants, tax credits, and capital from the Center’s Northern Forest Fund, have secured more than 97% of the funds needed. We’re getting down to the wire and every donation helps to close the $143,000 gap in funding and bring this vision to life.” 

To support the 560 Railroad Street redevelopment or read more about the project, visit https://nfcenter.org/St_J. 

The building redevelopment project is part of the Center’s community revitalization work in St. Johnsbury, which includes supporting efforts to improve recreation access and resources in the town forest and elsewhere, assisting wood product- and tourism-related businesses, advancing sustainable tourism, and building area non-profit capacity. 

Using Long-Lived Wood Products & Area Contractors 

The Center is making wood – old and new – a focal point of the project. The construction crew is reclaiming 10,000 square feet of existing birch and maple wood floors as part of its goal to protect the historic character of the building and reduce demolition waste and is adding 2,500 square feet of new manufactured wood flooring.  

Additionally, the Center has purchased rough lumber from Milan Lumber Co., a spruce mill located 59 miles away in New Hampshire, for the framing and structural redesign of the property, and a good portion of the carpentry materials came from St. Johnsbury’s RK Miles. 

Regional subcontractors on the project include: concrete from RG Gosselin in Derby; brick work by Tanner Masonry in Lyndonville; steel from LWI Metalworks in Morristown; framing and carpentry by Fisher Construction of South Ryegate; insulation from Chey Insulation in Canaan, NH; roof repairs by Rodd Roofing of St Johnsbury; drywall by Optimum Building Systems of Litchfield, NH; flooring by Delairs of East Montpelier; painting by Tuite Painting of Littleton, NH; blinds by Gordon’s Window Décor of Williston; fire protection system by Mountain Valley Sprinkler of Williston; HVAC and plumbing by Thomas Mechanical of South Burlington; electrical work by CFW Electric of Danville; and site work by Fornwalt Excavation of Bradford, VT.  

Funding the Vision 

The redevelopment project has received strong public sector support including from the Town of St. Johnsbury, the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office Local Investment Program, and the Northern Border Regional Commission. Other funders include Alma Gibbs Donchian Charitable Foundation, Canaday Family Charitable Trust, Community National Bank, EastRise Credit Union, Efficiency Vermont, The Freeman Foundation, Hoehl Family Foundation, Mascoma Bank, the Northeastern Vermont Development Association-led Brownfields Assessment Coalition, Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development, Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Vermont State Employees Credit Union, and individuals who have contributed to the Center’s Northern Forest Fund or to the project.