Posted in Vermont December 24, 2017 by

This Has To Be The Weirdest Thing That Almost Happened In Vermont

Some big things happened in the year 1979. For example ESPN launched on cable television, Sony introduced the Sony Walkman, and even the Sahara Desert experienced snow for 30 minutes. But there’s something to be said about what didn’t take place, and we think you’ll get a laugh out of it. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the weirdest thing that almost happened in VT.

In 1979, there was a plan to build a dome over Winooski in effort to conserve heat and reduce oil consumption.
Flickr/Nicholas Nova
That's right, officials said that a one square mile dome would reduce residents heating bills by up to 90 percent.
Flickr/Sonja Stark
It all started when a group of young city planners went out for dinner. Then, over a few glasses of wine, the idea of a dome was proposed.
Flickr/dutchbaby
And the next morning, the idea still seemed like a good one.
Flickr/Invoke
While this idea raised eyebrows at first, the City Council hopped on board. You see, they thought that it could mean millions in HUD money.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
When word of the dome got out, roughly 20 full mail bags a day from supporters were delivered to City Hall. Some companies even offered to build the dome themselves!
Flickr/Patrick Connelly
The dome was set to be 250 feet tall. It would be high enough to cover the tallest building, but low enough to not interfere with airplanes.
Flickr/Jeremy Brooks
What about automobile exhaust you might ask?
Flickr/Lindsey B
Mark Tigan, the mastermind behind the doomed dome, said electric cars and/or monorails would be used.
As you may have guessed, the dome was never built.
Flickr/Don Shall
However, we still wonder what it might be like to never have to shovel again!

The next time you’re in Winooski, the town where the dome almost happened in VT, why not check out one of our favorite places for Mac & Cheese themed restaurant that is what dreams are made of.