Current Work in 2026

The City is currently moving through the formal process of selecting a development partner for the Country Club Road project. The City Council created a Subcommittee to advance the project and select a developer. Following the issuance of the Request for Proposals (RFP) in late 2025, the subcommittee has established a clear timeline to evaluate potential partners and provide a recommendation to the City Council.

Key Upcoming Dates
The Subcommittee will meet regularly over the next several months to manage communications, evaluate developer proposals, and review financial data.

• February 18, 2026: Deadline for developers to submit their formal proposals.
• February 20 – March 16, 2026: Public Feedback Window. During this time, residents are encouraged to share their thoughts with the City regarding the proposals.
• March 12, 2026: Community Listening Session at Montpelier High School, 6-8PM.
• March 16 – April 3, 2026: The City may hold interviews with selected proposers.
• April 22, 2026: The City Council is scheduled to vote on the selection of a development partner.

An independent financial analysis will be conducted to ensure the viability of the projects. The final goal is to execute a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the chosen partner by June 24, 2026.

History of the Project

The City put the following Article forward to the Montpelier Community to vote on at Town Meeting Day 2022 for approval of a bond that will allow the City to slowly pay off the purchase price of the property:

ARTICLE 14. Shall the voters authorize the City Council to borrow a sum of money not to exceed $2,000,000 for the purchase of approximately 138 acres of land, formerly the Elks Club, at 203 Country Club Road? Proceeds from bond funding will be used to finance the purchase of land for potential housing, recreation, and other uses. If approved, bonds for these capital items would be issued for a term of 20 years, is estimated to be approximately $55,000 for the first-year interest payment and approximately $138,406 for the second-year principal and interest payment with future payments declining each year as the principal is repaid.

This was approved by the voters, and work began to finalize the purchase of the former Elk’s Club property, located at 202 Country Club Road. A purchase and sales agreement was signed April 2022 after the City got an appraisal approved by two appraisal experts.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, the project team held three public engagement stages that aligned with each imporant stage of the master planning process. The public engagement process was cyclical beginning and ending with a presentation to the City Council. Each presentation to the Council winnowed the scope of the master planning process based on community feedback and Council priorities.

In June 2023, the City Council acepted the Actionable Plan proposed by the project team. The Actionable Plan will serve as guidance for future development of the property. The concept map included in the Actionable Plan is the combination of the vision, findings, and recommendations that will act as the roadmap for the City in the work to come. It's important to remember the plan and the concept map are just that - concepts. The finished product will likely evolve as the City engages with development partners and responds to market conditions.