Sept. 10, 2009

By Tim Simard

Observer staff

Finney Crossing, Williston’s largest planned development, will be honored with an award this month, even though the project has yet to break ground.

Smart Growth Vermont, a statewide nonprofit organization that works with communities to manage growth with conservation and without sprawl, will recognize Finney Crossing’s developers at an awards ceremony on Sept. 16.

Awards are given to projects and planned developments that mix growth with conservation, said Mary Harwood, Smart Growth Vermont’s development and communications director.

“If implemented the way they presented it, it creates a community,” Harwood said. “It creates almost an alternative downtown.”

Finney Crossing is a planned development at Taft Corners that will mix different types of affordable housing with stores and offices. Harwood said Finney Crossing would be not only a commercial destination, but a neighborhood as well.

The Snyder Company and J.L. Davis Inc. are the developers of Finney Crossing. Representatives from the companies could not be reached by press deadline Wednesday. There has been no definitive word when the development will break ground, although representatives hinted earlier this year that a small amount of construction could begin in the fall.

Along with Finney Crossing, Smart Growth Vermont will honor three other projects — ReCycle North’s social enterprise extension in Barre, the Banknorth Block in Burlington and the Proctorsville Green Revitalization in Cavendish. The award ceremony will be held Sept. 16 at the Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes.