 Today, seventy years after the J. Edward Moran Municipal Generating Station was commissioned by then Mayor Moran as a coal-fired power plant, and thirty years after that power plant was decommissioned, I am thrilled to be here to announce the completion of phase one of the new Moran frame. The Moran frame, this revived steel superstructure, represents the rebirth of the post-industrial northern waterfront that we've been working on since 2014, and the reclamation of this site on the shores of Lake Champlain is a treasure for Berlintonians and visitors alike to know and enjoy. The Moran frame will stand as a proud symbol of the innovative spirit of this community for generations to come and will serve as a centerpiece for all of the outdoor recreation, community programming, local commerce, food and art happening in this part of the waterfront, which we are calling Water Works Park. The frame, with its preservation of the outline of the former electric plant, will represent the remarkable energy transformation that is underway in this city as we attempt to electrify everything with renewable power. We are also announcing today the creation of a new non-profit called Friends of Frame that is, that's right, Friends of Frame is partnering with the city right now to pilot a series of activation efforts, and we're going to get a taste of that today and it's going to continue during highlight of New Year's and then into the spring and summer. We'll hear more about this effort from Zach Campbell who is, this is really his, his concept, his idea. It's a really exciting idea that is grounded in successes that other communities have seen where, such as Friends of the High Line in New York City and many other parks facilities around the country where an independent non-profit can inject all sorts of energy and resources into the programming and evolution of public spaces. So we'll hear more about that from Zach in a moment, and we're out and we're here from a couple other speakers as well, Doreen Kraft, our director of the Burlington City Arts and someone who has really been with this city and seen this building evolve and all the, seen all the plans and efforts for this part of the waterfront over the years, and we'll hear from Jesse Beck, principal at Freeman French Freeman, which has been our architect partner through the years of getting to today. I want to thank and recognize a number of other people before we hear from the other speakers though, and I'm not going to capture everyone. This is a little bit of a reunion I feel like looking around to see so many people who have worked on this project over the years and in current months. So let me just call out a few people. It's great to see old friend and both General Manager of the Burlington, the former General Manager of the Burlington Electric Department and former director of CEDO, Neal Lunderville here. Neal was really crucial in the early months as we shifted away from other visions of this building to the frame concept. Neal had a huge, huge role in that conception. I see also from that period, Kirsten Merriman Shapiro is here with us. Kirsten has worked for CEDO for, I believe, over 20 years and was, or approximately 20. And you can see her stamp on so much that's around us. I want to recognize current CEDO director, Brian Pine, who also has worked on this project through the years and a variety of capacities and played a key role in getting us to today. And Samantha Dunn, who is our Assistant Director for Community Works. And really, since she joined us about a year ago, has really taken on this project and moved it forward. She took over from Grace Sifo, who was our first Assistant Director for Community Works, who's also here with us today. So thankful for the work that all of you put into this. I want to, I think we have some other members of the design and development team here as well today. If you could raise your hand and make sure, I see Kurt Muller from, who's been our environmental consultant with some of the big, we couldn't have gotten here without addressing the environmental issues on the site. DW has been our construction partner through this and really unique and unusual project and has been a great partner, even as we were struggling through the early months of the pandemic and trying to figure out how do you do a construction project while you're also battling a global pandemic. Very thankful for your help. And is Alex here today, if you're a partner, he's out of town. All right. Well, I do want to recognize Alex Halperin, who has been a really committed to this project for years. Sorry, he can't be with us today, but thank you. I'm glad that you're able to, Jesse, representing the firm. So with that, I think, you know, I will just call out to, it's great to have the current General Manager of the Brent Elections of our Brent Daren Springer here as well. You know, there's such, there will always be this connection between BED and this site in that, again, this served as this really unique facility that was both a coal burning plant and then helped us pioneer our biomass effort before we built a new facility over in the interval for it. And it is a really important part of the Burlington's history, an important part of our current moment that we are moving towards becoming a net zero city. And it will always be an exciting part of this project, that link to the electric past. So with that, I think the first person we're here from is Doreen Kraft. Thank you. Thanks, Maril. Before my formal comments, I just, you know, you're making me reminisce, right? Like, you know, it was in the 70s that we had an international symposium of sculptors that came from all over the world and used this facility as a backdrop for the creation of new work. And there's been, as you remember, a lot of opposition. There were people who were screaming, tear this down, tear this down. And it was a really rough period of time as to whether or not this extraordinary landmark and monument would be saved. And so I feel so proud today, you know, and I've been up on the top floor when it was there with a bunch of architects looking out over the city and talking about all the things that this could become. So it's really, it holds so much of our history here in Burlington. And yeah, so just happy to be at this point in the history. So today, I think marks the transitioning of this space from the unsustainable energy of coal to the cleanest, most renewable energy that there is creativity from generating pollution to generating beauty and wonder. The frame is a monument to thinking beyond the traditional parameters of public space. It's our community canvas upon which generations of Burlingtonians can represent any idea imaginable today and for years to come. From the lake, the mountains, the culture, the music, and yes, the ice cream, we are a small city with big icons. And this stunning work is now among them. BCA and our partners in the city are committed to the idea that public art contributes to a city's well-being in so many countless ways. From inspiring ideas and reflection and beautifying public spaces to supporting local artists financially and helping to draw businesses and the creative community that values culture and the arts. We look forward to working with friends of frame and with lots of local artists and promoters to bring this wonderful, unique, and lasting work of art to life. Thank you. Well, congratulations to everybody. The Marianne Journey has been a really long one with many hands shaping its future along the way. I'm Jesse Beck and for FFF it started 32 years ago. We were hired by CEDO, then led by a very young Michael Monty. I don't know where he is, he's not here. And a group called BEAM led by Carol Stewart. Since then there's been many valiant runs at repurposing this iconic structure both by ourselves and many, many others. Many minds and hearts have touched this building during this journey and it truly has been a community effort to achieve what you see today. On behalf of FFF, our consultants and partners, I'd like to thank the mayor for his very active role in shaping this project. CEDO and the friends of frame are going to be great for their enthusiasm and dedication to keeping this going and the parks department and parks foundation who will continue to keep this evolving and active public space. Finally, I hope you all enjoy the design features of this historic place including the visible light features only at night. So come on back when it gets dark and you'll be amazed at what you see. Through creative design and architectural detailing, this community has preserved a unique landmark that makes our waterfront a memorial experience. Thank you. Hi everyone, thank you for being here today to celebrate this convergence of the Moran plant's history and its future as the frame. The Moran plant has always had a unique way about it, giving rise to an intangible yet undeniable impression on the human experience when one is in its presence, an experience at once familiar and uncharted. It's well known that over the years those many individual experiences rarely seem to manifest in feelings of indifference towards the Moran plant with strong contingents both for and against a new vision for the bygone behemoth. My name is Zach Campbell and I founded Friends of the Frame on the belief that in its next chapter, this amazing place, a former power plant, could be a source of empowerment for the community to which it belongs. The striking red steel superstructure becomes a literal framework for creative expression to unfold within, beneath, and around. Simultaneously a gallery and a park, a stage and a shelter, a playground and a market, an ever-evolving public space where art, nature, and connection can inspire us to open our minds and hearts to new perspectives while perhaps learning something new about ourselves as well. As we stand here now at the threshold of this next era, I want to invite and welcome everyone to be a friend of the frame, to actively participate in shaping the future of this special place and whatever way holds meaning for you. The structure of Friends of the Frame is intended to be an ever-widening circle, an inclusive, engaged, collective of contributors who believe in the potential of this extraordinary space to impact people's lives for the better. One person who embodies that spirit is Lauren Larkin, who's here today, despite the chilly November weather, to present a preview of her aerial healing arts hammock stations, which will be popping up at the frame throughout the spring, summer, and fall of next year. Please head over to experience the hammocks for yourself after the ribbon cutting. They are not to be missed. Friends of the Frame has also partnered with Burlington-based artist and designer Jasmine Parcia and local photographer Katie Palatucci to produce two original posters for today's event. These two designs each reference the past, present, and future of the Moran plant and the frame in their own distinctive ways, while providing a compelling glimpse into the breadth and depth of talent within our local creative community. We're pleased to offer prints of both posters to everyone in attendance today to take home and enjoy as a thank you for your continued support of the Frame. You may notice as you explore the space today, and I hope you all do after the ceremony is concluded, there are a couple hanging bench swings on the lake side of the Frame. These swings were designed and fabricated in collaboration with the awesome team at Generator, and they turned out beautifully. Friends of the Frame is currently in the midst of its first crowdfunding campaign on patronicity to bring additional activations, art, and public amenities to the Frame. If we reach our crowdfunding goal of $20,000 by December 15th, we'll receive an additional $40,000 matching grant from Vermont's Better Places program. If we're successful, we'll be able to bring additional swings to the Frame, including two ADA compliant wheelchair accessible swings that will be designed and fabricated by the faculty and students at Generator. Over the next several months, you'll be seeing and hearing about many more exciting installations, events, and partnerships that are currently in the works. But more importantly, we want to hear from you. What do you want to see or do at the Frame? What can we do to make the Frame more accessible, inclusive, or inviting? Do you have an idea for a project or performance? Do you have a suggestion for further democratizing the decision-making process around public programming? The Friends of the Frame model thrives on participation, and we are actively working on some really cool ways to make participating super easy and fun. Right now, the best way to get involved or informed is to visit the Frame's website, theframebtv.org, and follow the Frame on social media at theframe.btv. My ultimate hope for the Frame is that it never loses that intangible sense of possibility and promise that eventually led us to this very moment, and that for decades captured the hearts and imaginations of countless dreamers, inspiring bold ideas, and bringing people together in substantive, meaningful ways. That is the true energy future of this power plant, and when that energy can be harnessed into action, there is almost no limit to its potential. Thank you all, and welcome to the Frame. Well, that was great, Zach. Thank you for sharing that. Very exciting. The initiative is now underway. As we do move out of this construction phase into having a facility that's fully open to the public, this is becoming a parks facility. I want to recognize the Parks Recreation and Waterfront team that is here as well, and for all that they have done to contribute to getting today, and they will do well forward. Because it is going to be a parks facility, we are expecting to partner with the Parks Foundation on future investments and phases of the Frame's future. I see past Parks Foundation member John Bossage with us, and current member Paul Odie, thank you, and the rest of the Foundation for being here as well. And Brooke Gelman is here as well. I didn't see you back there, Brooke, in the hat and glasses.