St. Albans council votes to send Canal Terrace options to Chapman for feasibility study

Council members on the St. Albans City Council voted to amend an earlier motion about the Canal Terrace parcel and to request a feasibility study from Chapman that outlines several possible uses for the site.

The council resolved to rescind the prior green-space-only portion of the motion and to ask Chapman to produce a feasibility assessment of about three to five options for the property — for example, indoor recreation, outdoor recreation, parking or housing — with estimates of what is possible and preliminary cost guidance. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Councilman Eads and Councilman Yates led the discussion, saying the intent was to move beyond months of speculation about whether structures or only passive green space could go on the lot. Council members emphasized that the requested study should not produce final designs or renderings but instead should “tell us what’s possible” and provide cost estimates for a handful of options.

Public-works staff and council members noted site constraints that the feasibility study should evaluate, including a storm drain running through the parcel and the lot’s poor ground conditions: staff said the lot is “very difficult on our mowers,” with rocks and leftover brick that would require cleanup, tilling and soil preparation before any landscaping or construction. Council members asked for a timeline: staff said they would check Chapman’s schedule and expected to aim for answers by the council’s first May meeting if Chapman can complete the work in about two months.

The council also discussed adding a fence on the Canal Terrace (train-area) side only and leaving the hill side (Lee Street end) open; council members agreed the fence detail would be considered in the feasibility work. Council members asked that the study identify where structures could and could not be placed and provide rough cost estimates, including any anticipated cost to relocate the storm drain if housing were proposed.

The action directs staff to engage Chapman for the feasibility study and return to the council with options and cost estimates at a future meeting. No specific contract amount or funding source was stated during the meeting.