What is The FRAME?
Born from the remnants of a former coal-fired power plant on the shores of Lake Champlain, The FRAME is an ever-evolving public space that seeks to empower imagination through art, nature, and connection.
History of The FRAME
1843-1954
In the mid-1800’s Burlington’s waterfront began its evolution from a long crescent sandy shoreline into a commercial waterfront, eventually becoming (for a time) the third largest lumber port in the United States. During this period thousands of tons of stone and fill were placed in the lake, creating a progressively larger land area for lumber processing, wharfing, and manufacturing.
Over time the waterfront transitioned from a lumber port into a rail yard, and eventually a bulk petroleum facility. By the 1950’s gasoline, JP-4 jet fuel, and heating oil were being stored on the waterfront — with barges, trains and trucks frequenting the facilities. Up until the early 1990’s, hundreds of thousands of gallons of petroleum products were delivered each year to the waterfront by barges and trains, rendering the vast majority of the waterfront lands inaccessible to the public
1954-1986
The coal-fired Moran Plant went on line in 1954, converting to a wood chip-fired plant in 1977, and producing electricity for the City of Burlington until its decommissioning in 1986.
1954-1986
The coal-fired Moran Plant went on line in 1954, converting to a wood chip-fired plant in 1977, and producing electricity for the City of Burlington until its decommissioning in 1986. For the ensuing 30+ years the majority of the building remained vacant, with the exception of the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center’s occupation of a relatively small area.
1986-2022
In the 30+ years after the Moran Plant’s decommissioning the majority of the building remained vacant, with the exception of the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center’s occupation of a relatively small area. In 2019, with the support of Burlington voters and the City Council, the Moran Plant was slated for redevelopment. On August 19th, 2020, in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, work commenced on Phase 1 of the Moran FRAME project.
Today
With the completion of Phase 1 in October 2022, the storied Moran structure - now The FRAME - and site were opened to the public for the very first time.
Ryan Bent Photography.