RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Downtown Rutland’s so-called “pit” could be getting a makeover despite skyrocketing cleanup costs.
The pit is the former site of the Berwick Hotel, which burned down in 1973. The lot on the corner of Center and Wales Streets is currently used as parking.
Rutland Mayor Mike Doenges.says Belden Construction has plans to build a new hotel in the space but that contaminated dirt first needs to be removed from the site, a process that could cost millions. “There are federal funds available for things like this, and state funds available and that type of investment in getting that site cleaned up. We don’t want to have that in the city anyways,” Doenges said. “That’s what’s taken the cleanup costs — which used to be $500,000 to almost $5 million now, and that’s difficult, that’s a hard pill to swallow. But that’s why these programs exist.”
The mayor says they are still trying to figure out a timeline for the removal of any contaminated soil.