Higher Ground scraps plans for music venue relocation to Burton campus

Higher Ground has scrapped efforts to relocate its music venue to the Burton Snowboards campus in Burlington’s South End, just days after the Vermont Supreme Court rejected an appeal and allowed the project to move forward .

In a social media post , the live music venue in South Burlington said that “despite our extensive efforts,” the relocation plan would not move forward, adding that Higher Ground was “deeply disheartened that Burton has decided to change direction in their plans for the building we were to occupy.”

“This resulted in a significant loss of time and resources for Higher Ground,” the company said in the social media post, adding that the search would continue for a new venue.

“We remain committed to enhancing Burlington’s music and arts scene by providing more access to top-tier performances,” the company said. “We believe that a vibrant local entertainment venue benefits the entire community.”

When reached for comment, Alan Newman, a co-owner of Higher Ground, said that he had nothing more to add and referred to their published statement. Alex Crothers, another co-owner of Higher Ground, did not immediately respond to a phone call and text message seeking comment.

Public relations officials for Burton did not respond to an email and voicemail.

The news comes days after the state Supreme Court gave the companies the go-ahead on the plan. The court, in a decision issued Friday, rejected appeals from a group of neighbors that claimed the new performing arts center would impact their quality of life.

The residents’ group, Citizens for Responsible Zoning, had appealed an environmental court’s July 2023 decision that confirmed previous conditional use and Act 250 permit approvals.

Doug Goodman, a spokesperson for the group, said he was “stunned” by the announcement.

“We’ve spent $200,000” in legal fees on efforts to appeal the project, he said.

The story will be updated.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Higher Ground scraps plans for music venue relocation to Burton campus .