Madison, WI Development News

[Jason]

A tidbit of news today, so I guess it's as good a time as any to fire up a Madison thread (as requested).

On with today's news...
The Block 115 redevelopment (the block with the Essen Haus, Come Back Inn and Hotel Ruby Marie for those familiar with the area) is all owned by developer Greg Hartmann who had orginally proposed a narrow 16-story condo tower with a number of other smaller towers also in the project. His proposal was received very coldly, so he has done a major revision of the proposal. The tallest tower now proposed for the site is just 8-floors...

http://madison-architecture.com/madarchfiles/10743.jpg

Here's the story in The Capital Times...
http://www.madison.com/tct/business//index.php?ntid=22038&ntpid=7#

[oshkeoto]

But...as I recall, the buildings there were already quite pretty...

We are talking about the end of Willy Street heading towards downtown, right?

[EastSider]

I'm really digging that design. However I'm confused about the project. Is this all one new building?

[Jason]

But...as I recall, the buildings there were already quite pretty...

We are talking about the end of Willy Street heading towards downtown, right?

You've got the right area. The buildings currently there (with exception to the Hotel Ruby Marie, which is the building on the corner, and has been recently improved) are severely dilapitated and not very attractive.

The Hotel Ruby Marie currently...
http://www.madisontrust.org/images/ruby.jpg

It won't be demolished because it's "historic"...
http://www.madisontrust.org/awards/01_hotel_ruby_marie.html

[Jason]

I'm really digging that design. However I'm confused about the project. Is this all one new building?

Nah, I think it's a bunch of small buildings (the one on the corner is already there and won't be demolished). The neighborhood planning comittee would never go for one solid building.

[Jason]

I should point out that everything to the corner building's left is currently one big-ass surface lot, which is stupid on the Isthmus, so this is an improvement in that sense.

I also just discovered this Block 115 website detailing the entire project...
http://www.block115.com/

Here's some images from the website above...
http://www.block115.com/photos/aerial_of_block.jpg
http://www.block115.com/images/redev_plan.gif
http://www.block115.com/photos/5a_041202.jpg
http://www.block115.com/photos/8a_041202.jpg

[edveddfan]

How could you tear down the Essen Haus? Every alum that I know (including myself) will be lining up to kick Greg Hartmann in the nuts for this one. If there ever was a Madison landmark worth saving, the Essen Haus is a good candidate. It seems to me that the city is bent on doing away with that which made it so great in the first place, the college towniness that has become so famous. I hope that one of the country's great college towns doesn't self destruct.

[Jason]

How could you tear down the Essen Haus? Every alum that I know (including myself) will be lining up to kick Greg Hartmann in the nuts for this one. If there ever was a Madison landmark worth saving, the Essen Haus is a good candidate. It seems to me that the city is bent on doing away with that which made it so great in the first place, the college towniness that has become so famous. I hope that one of the country's great college towns doesn't self destruct.

You've got it backwards. The city (neighborhood commissions, city council and mayor) are the ones usually fighting to preserve landmarks in Madison, not destroy them.

As fond as some older almni might be of the Essen Haus, it's a sh*thole, and needs to be torn down and replaced. Neglect has caused the building to literally rot away. The only thing the Essen Haus has going for it is memories (nothing more than getting-drunk-and-barfing-in-the-bathroom memories at that), nobody patronizes it anymore, and it's a smelly eyesore. I won't miss it.

Besides, the Essen Haus isn't going away, it's just getting newer digs.

[oshkeoto]

^ Man, those pictures make me miss Madison.

[edveddfan]

You've got it backwards. The city (neighborhood commissions, city council and mayor) are the ones usually fighting to preserve landmarks in Madison, not destroy them.

As fond as some older almni might be of the Essen Haus, it's a sh*thole, and needs to be torn down and replaced. Neglect has caused the building to literally rot away. The only thing the Essen Haus has going for it is memories (nothing more than getting-drunk-and-barfing-in-the-bathroom memories at that), nobody patronizes it anymore, and it's a smelly eyesore. I won't miss it.

Besides, the Essen Haus isn't going away, it's just getting newer digs.


When I say "city", I mean "city", and all it's institutions. Including the city council, developers, residents, etc. Also, I never, ever, fought in the Essen Haus bathroom. Lastly, who would want to polka on a clean new floor anyway? It'll never be as good, and I still want to kick Greg Hartmann in the nuts.

[Jason]

If you remember O'Kay'z Corral on the corner to the west, it burned down a few years back, which is yet another reason something must happen to the property.

On a side note... the owner of O'Kay'z opened up a new place called High Noon Saloon in the old Buy Sell shop on East Wash. She remodelled the building and it's been expanded on a bit. It looks nice, but I haven't been inside yet. I guess they have decent live music every night.

[EastSider]

After seeing those pictures I know where this project is now. Yes that will be a great improvement on the area. Jason, have they broke ground on met. place phase 2 yet?

[Jason]

After seeing those pictures I know where this project is now. Yes that will be a great improvement on the area. Jason, have they broke ground on met. place phase 2 yet?

I don't believe so.

[Jason]

Here's a new one starting construction in January. The 9-story final puzzle piece to an entire block redevelopment (Block 89)...

http://madison-architecture.com/madarchfiles/10891.jpg

Story:
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=22563&ntpid=1

[ReddAlert]

really cool building Jason

[Neph]

Wow, and it's not a condo. I was starting to think that condo's were all Madison was building. Anyway I love the design, very interesting for such a small building. Madison seems good at getting the most out of something no matter what the size. In Madison, size really doesn't matter!

[EastSider]

That design rocks, any clue on what it will be used for and location? Damn I would love to see something like that in Milwaukee.

[Jason]

That design rocks, any clue on what it will be used for and location? Damn I would love to see something like that in Milwaukee.


The article said offices and retail. It's on the corner of East Main and South Pinckney streets (on the Capitol square) on block called "Block 89". The spot has been vacant for years.

[Jasonhouse]

That last rendering shown looks really interesting. It will be interesting to see how it turns out for real. Probably a great building, with a shitload of window shades drawn. Should still look very cool at night just the same.

[Jason]

Here's another angle from the Urban Land Interest (the developer) website (www.uli.com)...
http://madison-architecture.com/madarchfiles/63.jpg

[EastSider]

Thanks for the area rendering, it seems like the best developments go into that part of Madison, I always enjoy walking down there at night. The orange building behind it already exists correct?

[Neph]

The orange building behind it already exists correct?
Yes, in fact it has for a few years now. I'm sure Jason can tell you what year it was completed but my guess is 2001?

[EastSider]

I used to live in Madison so I'm familar with it, it was one of my favorite downtown for a while. My favorite part of the building is where it angles away from exterior towards the top, I think thats why it stands out to me.

[edsg25]

what's fueling the boom in expensive condos in the heart of Madison? is it UW generated?

[Jason]

what's fueling the boom in expensive condos in the heart of Madison? is it UW generated?

No. It's not all UW generated. Madison (despite what the masses outside of Madison believe) is no longer just a "college town". There has been a huge biotech boom here and a lot of other interesting things happening in terms of entertainment & arts, business opportunities, etc.

The "orange building" you are all talking about is "10 East Doty". A 10-floor, 210,000 sq. ft. office building with over 700 underground stalls also developed by Urban Land Interests. It was completed in May of 2000. Here's an image from their site...

http://www.madison-architecture.com/madarchfiles/4.jpg

[EastSider]

Thanks for the shot Jason, and for explaining the residential boom in Madison. Madison is an established city outside of the university, and it has been for some time, I think its important people see that.

By the way Jason, what do you think of the Peli designed Overture Center? Also any thoughts on the effect of the area surrounding the center?

I was going to post pics for others to judge, but I couldn't find any that would do it justice. Anyone have any?

[Jason]

Thanks for the shot Jason, and for explaining the residential boom in Madison. Madison is an established city outside of the university, and it has been for some time, I think its important people see that.

By the way Jason, what do you think of the Peli designed Overture Center? Also any thoughts on the effect of the area surrounding the center?

I was going to post pics for others to judge, but I couldn't find any that would do it justice. Anyone have any?

I'm not much of an artsy-fartsy type, so I'm not really benefiting from it directly, but I think it's good for putting Madison on the international arts map. It has already attracted 10 times as many mid to upper level performers as all of ther other areas venues produced combined over the last bunch of years.

A lot of folks are upset about surrounding land values skyrocketing. One guy paid like 3-5 times assessed value for a group of building across the street. These rising values have already, and will likely continue to push away the eclectic, small businesses that currently dot State Street.

Others are just flat out upset about the destruction of "historical" (crappy) buildings, and the impending doom of many others.

For the most part though, I think it is seen as positive movement in Madison development.

Architecturally... I haven't been inside of it yet. From the outside, I think it's merely acceptable at worst, nothing to get all giddy over. But then, I haven't closely examined the outside either. I'll get back to you on this.

[Jason]

In today's Wisconsin State Journal we learn more about a new near-downtown proposal and near-east-side project plan totalling 729 condos & apartments, nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of retail, up to 1,300 underground parking spaces and at least 1 highrise...

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=22851&ntpid=2

[Ben]

With Madison attracting more business, or at least having been put at the top of "business opportunity, jobs, and education" types of lists for the past 4 or so years with Forbes and Money Magazines(Madison 2004 best city by Forbes), why don't some companies that need some larger scale high-rises build them?

RANT

I know the surrounding capitol area has a height restriction because of the capitol, but that's not to say that a path of high-rises can't start forming elsewhere.

Milwaukee has 3 on the way, and those are just for living in! Yes Milwaukee is much larger, but I would say that Madison's growth and opportunity put it head to head with Milwaukee despite Milwaukee's size, as far as the "well-roundedness" of each city goes. Milwaukee is regrouping at a steady pace with building all the known new stuff, and it's good to see the metro population climbing nicely even though the city limits is dropping(not as fast though!). But there is an obvious depression recorded. IE: Unusually frequent run down areas, 1990 714,000 city limits, 2000 628,000 city limits, 2004 585,000 city limits.

I mean, it's good that Madison is exploding, EVEN besides UW, even besides the younger crowd having entertainment(clubs, all concerts, sports, wrestling, etc. comes there)....I mean, the bottom half of Wisconsin, all I seem to hear with most younger kids that plan on staying in WI for awhile, "I'm moving to Madison." Hell, I'm an hour from Madison, and I go there at least once a week. I just don't want to live there.. lack of privacy. It's also retarted expensive to live there. Fun place to go though!

[EastSider]

I mean, the bottom half of Wisconsin, all I seem to hear with most younger kids that plan on staying in WI for awhile, "I'm moving to Madison." Hell, I'm an hour from Madison, and I go there at least once a week. I just don't want to live there.. lack of privacy. It's also retarted expensive to live there. Fun place to go though!

Growing up in Madison, it seems like the people I meet who want to live there from southern Wisconsin haven't really traveled many other places. It seems Madison is a destination because its better then what they have, or have had and experienced growing up in their life. I'm not saying this is fact, just a matter of opinion from growing up in Madison.

I feel if young residents from Wisconsin gave Milwaukee a chance, and crossed the phobia of it, they'd realized that for younger crowds (I'm speaking more so of young proffesionals graduating college) Milwaukee has a much better environment. This is why I support the growth UW-Milwaukee, and the current plans for the university to create an identity of their own, away from the UW system.

As far as businesses setting up shop in downtown Madison, I say why not as well. Of course I'd prefer them to be in Milwaukee, but when we're talking local Madison businesses, it only makes sense for them to be located downtown Madison. I feel the height-restriction does have a lot to do with the lack of headquarters downtown however. This is evident when you look at the boom of Middletons business park, could you imagine all those high-rises being located in downtown Madison?

Sorry I'm just ranting as well...

[Ben]

As far as experiencing this or that, while growing up through childhood and going on numerous summer vacations with my parents, I can say that I've basically been to every major city and national park West of the Mississippi river. Lived in Spokane, WA for a few months, and my g/f's grandparents and most of the extended family live in the Twin Cities, so we've done some holiday driving through "Spaghetti Junction." Girlfriend's parents live in St. Croix County however though, a ways away from the border.

I don't mind Madison and Milwaukee because I am indeed fairly simple-minded. As long as I can work my way towards buying some expensive toys and meet a few nice people along the way, I'm happy.

> I feel if young residents from Wisconsin gave Milwaukee a chance
My ideal plan currently is to live in a very small town just down the road from a 10-20k'er somewhere evenly inbetween Milwaukee and Madison so I do not have to travel more than an hour(preferably 45 minutes) to each respective metropolitan area/city vicinity. This is mostly due to the fact that, yes I really love Madison, but I have faith in Milwaukee and I want access that isn't a pain in the ass to do often if I need to do it.

Privacy + access


Speaking of Milwaukee, can someone give me a rundown(get it) on Milwaukee's Northwest side?

[Jason]

Speaking of Milwaukee, can someone give me a rundown(get it) on Milwaukee's Northwest side?

I'm sure someone in the Milwaukee thread would love to. ;)

[ReddAlert]

I live on the northwest side

We lost blockbuster...amoung other businesses recently. However, they are going to put in new stores and such in these vacant lots. There is an abandoned Big K store on Good Hope which they are changing into a Home Depot. Northridge is also being redevoloped into offices, big box stores...etc. Right now, they have Pickn Save and Menards...which moved from its location on 76st. They also recently built a bunch of large suburban style homes off 91st.
I think crime is getting worse...which isnt strange considering the flight from the Northside, which is probally the worst part of town into the Northwest side, which has inexpensive housing and apartments. Across Mill Road going south is definely where the bad parts are forming....almost all apartments. I drove by going home the other day and trash is stacked to the top of most dumsters..crap is laying all over the ground. This is where most of the crime happens in the area. Ill be happy to answer anyother questions ya got...or ask Markitect in the Milwaukee Thread--he knows alot about Milwaukee develpment.

[EastSider]

As far as experiencing this or that, while growing up through childhood and going on numerous summer vacations with my parents, I can say that I've basically been to every major city and national park West of the Mississippi river. Lived in Spokane, WA for a few months, and my g/f's grandparents and most of the extended family live in the Twin Cities, so we've done some holiday driving through "Spaghetti Junction." Girlfriend's parents live in St. Croix County however though, a ways away from the border.

I don't mind Madison and Milwaukee because I am indeed fairly simple-minded. As long as I can work my way towards buying some expensive toys and meet a few nice people along the way, I'm happy.

> I feel if young residents from Wisconsin gave Milwaukee a chance
My ideal plan currently is to live in a very small town just down the road from a 10-20k'er somewhere evenly inbetween Milwaukee and Madison so I do not have to travel more than an hour(preferably 45 minutes) to each respective metropolitan area/city vicinity. This is mostly due to the fact that, yes I really love Madison, but I have faith in Milwaukee and I want access that isn't a pain in the ass to do often if I need to do it.

Privacy + access


Speaking of Milwaukee, can someone give me a rundown(get it) on Milwaukee's Northwest side?

I hope you didn't take what I was saying directly towards you. I was pointing out the people I was familar with growing up, I hope no offense was taken.

[Ben]

I hope you didn't take what I was saying directly towards you. I was pointing out the people I was familar with growing up, I hope no offense was taken.

Absolutely none taken. :)

[EastSider]

what's fueling the boom in expensive condos in the heart of Madison? is it UW generated?

Here's a link in the Milwaukee Biz Journal that explains some of it.
CLICK FOR LINK (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/12/27/focus2.html)

Heres a part of it:
The growth has come with the rise of new downtown Madison attractions -- including the $67 million Monona Terrace convention center, $205 million Overture Center, and new restaurants -- coupled with the popularity of traditional Madison destinations like Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, the Capitol building and State Street.

[EastSider]

I was in Madison today and stopped by the new Overture Center.

UNBELIEVABLE.

Here's a link from the Biz Journal again (sorry about all the links)
CLICK HERE (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/12/27/focus1.html)

Also a quote from the article:
Just hours after the Chicago Symphony Orchestra played the last note of its Sept. 30th concert at Madison's new Overture Center for the Arts, Robert D'Angelo started hearing from booking agents for the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra.

[Jason]

Ok... I love Milwaukee, I really do. It's my "second home", my "home-away-from-home", I'd live there if I didn't live here (Madison), BUT... there's already a Milwaukee thread. I'd like to keep it to Madison-talk in here or else it becomes a melting pot and we might lose our "sticky" status. Thanks for your understanding.

BTW, Joe Flad (whom I used to work for - sort of), of Flad & Associates (Madison, WI architecture firm) passed away on 12/26.

[Jason]

I was in Madison today and stopped by the new Overture Center.

UNBELIEVABLE.

Here's a link from the Biz Journal again (sorry about all the links)
CLICK HERE (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2004/12/27/focus1.html)

Also a quote from the article:
Just hours after the Chicago Symphony Orchestra played the last note of its Sept. 30th concert at Madison's new Overture Center for the Arts, Robert D'Angelo started hearing from booking agents for the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra.

I'm glad you got to see it. I haven't seen much of it yet, mostly just the outside, which is designed to fit in, so it can't be completely appreciated without seeing the whole package. I heard the accoustics are amazing. I'm going to go check out a show schedule now for an excuse to see for myself.

[EastSider]

Way to get us back in line, I forget we were on a Madison Thread :)
I too heard the acoustics at the Overture were amazing, I'm hoping to see a show ASAP.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Wow, that new glass building going up on the Capitol Square is really great. Looking at these pics makes me miss Madison.

[i_am_hydrogen]

We need to start up a "rate our skyline" thread on Madison. The skyline probably won't score the highest marks because it's so low, but the thread could still be useful to introduce and turn people on to the city.

[Ben]

Yeah it is kind of small:
http://img41.exs.cx/img41/1188/capitolmadisonnight015jm.jpg

But it is also really active and pretty:
http://img41.exs.cx/img41/6443/madcity47pz.gif


Downtown itself is just in a beautiful location. See the following taken from the Alliant Energy Center(buildings 1 and 2 most popular) website:
http://alliantenergycenter.com/img/aerial_view.jpg

That road that starts at the number 7 then veers off hard to the left towards downtown goes right towards the number 13 before gliding towards the center of the isthmus as it makes its way over to the east side of Madison(from the West).

I go that way to the East side from the West side a lot just for something different instead of the beltline all the time. Right now the trees have no leaves so there are plenty of picture taking vantage points from that road(Highway 151). Right before the road goes out onto the lakes you see some treeless patches on the right. Those are areas where a lot of the skyline photos across the lake come from. I'll try to get some more; daytime/night time.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Those are nice pics.

How is the arts district construction coming along?

[Jason]

That road that starts at the number 7 then veers off hard to the left towards downtown goes right towards the number 13 before gliding towards the center of the isthmus as it makes its way over to the east side of Madison(from the West).

I know this is being really picky, but Rimrock Road (the road near #7) doesn't veer left into John Nolen Drive (the road that goes over the water headed downtown). The two roads simply meet at an intersection just off to the right side of the screen.

Also, the road going downtown (John Nolen Drive) doesn't take off to the East side of Madison, it meets with Wilson St., Williamson St., & N. Blair St. at an intersection just past downtown. Williamson heads east, and so does E. Washington Ave. if you go a couple of block down N. Blair.

[Jason]

Those are nice pics.

How is the arts district construction coming along?

Not sure what you mean by "arts district" (there isn't one), but there is the Overture Center for the Arts, which recently opened to the public. I think we've discussed it in this thread a few times already.

[Neph]

Jason do you have any recent pics of the new condo that was constructed on the street right across the capitol building on the north side of the square? I don't remember the name of it but the last time I was downtown they were knocking down a small building on the corner. Anyway I haven't ever seen a rendering or a pic of this building since the day I was there. Sure like to see one now if you can? If I remember correctly the building was to be 10 to 12 stories high.

[Jason]

Kopp's site project moves ahead

A story by Mike Ivey
January 25, 2005

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It didn't come easily but a proposed $24 million redevelopment of the former Ken Kopp grocery site on the 1800 block of Monroe Street has been OK'd by the city Plan Commission.

Despite concerns from some neighbors about the height of the five-story condo/commercial project - and the placement of affordable housing units from commission members - a rezoning for the complex project was approved Monday night on a 6-3 vote.

The Monroe Commons project calls for 51 residential units built over 12,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. There would be 24 public carport-like parking spaces underneath the condos facing Harrison Street, where the parking lot for the former grocery store is located.

Another 105 parking spaces would be provided in a ramp, with 38 spaces available for the public. Spaces in the ramp are designed to replace the city-owned "Evergreen lot" which is being sold to the developers. The developers would also create a pedestrian plaza at the triangular intersection of Monroe Street and West Lawn Avenue.

Although the near west-side neighborhood has been clamoring for a grocery to replace Ken Kopp's, which closed four years ago, some residents spoke against the project Monday. Among them was UW-Madison professor Dan Anderson, who said it was simply too large for the site.
Advertisement:

"This is out of scale with the other buildings on the block and sets a precedent for even bigger buildings on Monroe or Regent streets," he warned.

But the developers have said the project must be that large in order to make a grocery financially feasible. They initially requested $3.13 million in tax incremental financing, a request that has since been reduced because of city subsidy limits.

Despite those issues, the project has the support of the Vilas and Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood associations, along with the Monroe Street Grocery Cooperative. Those groups said they will not support a redevelopment that does not include a grocery.

"Without a grocery store, this thing would not be alive," said Brad Ricker of the co-op group, which has over 700 members.

The project is being developed by Monroe Neighbors LLC. The group includes Trio Development (Craig Hungerford, Jill Hochhausen, Bryce Armstrong); Bert Slinde of the Slinde Company; FSKR LLC (Fred Miller, Sandy Miller); and Keller Development LLC (Tom Keller, Dave Keller).

Two commission members also grilled the developers about the lack of affordable housing units. The city's inclusionary zoning (IZ) ordinance requires 15 percent of new units be priced for moderate income buyers. The ordinance would require seven units at Monroe Commons.

The developers are including three "IZ" units but are seeking a waiver on the balance because of the economic difficulties of the project. They would pay $186,000 into an affordable housing trust fund to secure the waiver.

But commissioner Sarah Davis asked why the developers had clustered the three affordable units together in one corner of the project rather than dispersing them as the ordinance requires. She also asked why the developer couldn't cut corners to include more affordable units.

"I feel this is my duty as a commissioner to follow the ordinance," said Davis, one of three commissioners to vote against the project.

Dave Keller countered that his development group has gone above and beyond in trying to keep all parties happy.

"We've done the best we can to get the support of as many people as possible," he said.

Ald. Ken Golden, who represents the neighborhood, spoke in support of the project and criticized those who had called for a delay in the approval or for a smaller building.

"This project is balancing on an I-beam," he said.

The project still needs the approval of the full Common Council, where the affordable housing and TIF issues will likely be rehashed.

"With all due respect to the developers and the alder, this project is a mess," said commissioner Ald. Brenda Konkel, who also voted against it.

Big Box rules OK'd : Also Monday night the commission approved the so-called "Big Box" ordinance.

More than two years in the making, the ordinance would limit the footprint size of large retail establishments to 100,000 square feet, limit the size of parking lots, require more windows and make the layouts more pedestrian-friendly.

Although the ordinance has faced opposition from business and retail interests, Ald. Robbie Webber said it was time to move forward.

"There has been sufficient time to address everyone's concerns," she said.

More than 100 other communities have similar ordinances, some much stronger than Madison's. For example, Bozeman, Mont., prohibits big boxes over 65,000 square feet and Rockville, Md., limits them to 75,000 square feet.

In other action the commission:

• Approved a rezoning for the redevelopment of the Hilldale Shopping Center. The first phase of the project involves tearing down the U.S. Bank and Firestone auto store buildings. The developers, Joseph Freed & Associates of Palatine, Ill., would then construct 40 residential units fronting Midvale Boulevard, a 600-stall parking ramp and 70,000 square feet of new retail space. The project would meet the city's affordable housing ordinance by including six units for moderate income buyers.

• Approved the "Linden Park" development, 261 single family home sites in the new Pioneer Road neighborhood on the city's far west side. The project from Veridian Homes will be built in phases over the next four to eight years. The development would comply with the city's inclusionary zoning ordinance by including 40 affordable homes.

• Approved the Drake Caf at 1336 Drake St. across from the Vilas Park zoo, a site formerly home to several failed convenience stores. The owners, Robert Shapiro and Katherine Zirbel, said they plan to operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and include some grocery sales. The Drake Street Caf would include an outdoor seating area.

• Approved a plan to move the city toward an annexation agreement with the town of Blooming Grove. The annexation would take place in phases over the next 20 or more years.

• Approved a new Madison police station at 809 S. Thompson Drive on the far east side. The 14,000-square-foot station would include 87 surface parking spaces.

E-mail: mivey@madison.com

Published: 9:26 AM 1/25/05

http://www.madison.com/images/articles/tct/2005/01/25/11974.jpg

[Neph]

I hope you're working on that image Jason, it didn't work!

[Ben]

http://www.madison.com/images/articles/tct/2005/01/25/11974.jpg

copy and paste the original into your browser

[Jason]

Jason do you have any recent pics of the new condo that was constructed on the street right across the capitol building on the north side of the square? I don't remember the name of it but the last time I was downtown they were knocking down a small building on the corner. Anyway I haven't ever seen a rendering or a pic of this building since the day I was there. Sure like to see one now if you can? If I remember correctly the building was to be 10 to 12 stories high.

If I'm not mistaken, you are speaking of 100 Wisconsin Ave. This image is almost a year old now...
http://s97833625.onlinehome.us/mambo/madarchfiles/random//017_01.jpg
I don't have anything more recent.

[Neph]

If I'm not mistaken, you are speaking of 100 Wisconsin Ave. This image is almost a year old now...
http://s97833625.onlinehome.us/mambo/madarchfiles/random//017_01.jpg
I don't have anything more recent.
I guess that will have to do then, thanks!

I gotta to tell yah, I know renderings are most of the time decieveing but I think I'm in love with that one you just posted! wow

[Jason]

There is far too much information in the following links for me to summarize responsibly, so if you are interested, please take a look. It is regarding the UW-Madison campus plan.

This is the article in The Cap Times: (http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=26567&ntpid=0):

A Time to Build: Big plan on campus
Fewer bad buildings, more postcard memories; Community will get to hear all about it

By Ron McCrea
January 29, 2005

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Van Hise Hall looms over the campus. Bascom Hall is in the foreground.
Van Hise Hall looms over the campus. Bascom Hall is in the foreground. (Photo by Jeff Miller/UW News)

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green arrow Public Meetings

green arrow Containment policy

green arrow A time to build: Reports will explore shape of the new city

green arrow A whole lot of building going on


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The "fearless sifting and winnowing" that is part of the historic motto of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will take on a whole new meaning this year as the state's flagship campus prepares to embark on a far-reaching - some will say ruthless - editing and revision of its buildings and grounds.

The result may well be a major weeding out of problem buildings over the next 10 to 20 years.

Prominent candidates announced this week include Van Hise Hall and Union South. Previously announced were the Mosse Humanities Building, Ogg Hall dormitory, and the Peterson Office Building. They are among two dozen buildings marked in red for potential demolition on a map that may be seen in a PowerPoint presentation on the UW's Web site, www.uc.wisc.edu/masterplan.

But Associate Vice Chancellor Alan Fish stresses that culling bad buildings is just one of the sweeping strategies the UW will employ to make the future campus more functional and appealing - appealing to everyone but especially to the research community, which Chancellor John Wiley has identified as the university's key to the future.

The 2005 Campus Master Plan will be outlined beginning next week in a series of town hall and neighborhood meetings. (See list)
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"The plan is not about buildings, it's about people," Fish said in an interview. "It's about how they work and where they live and how they get around. It's about how they enjoy their day."

That means making the Madison campus more functional for those who work on it, friendlier to those who live on it, and more memorable to all who pass through it. The UW of tomorrow, Fish said, will offer many more postcard memories than it does today.

The campus facilities manager likes to speak of an ice age when he talks about the physical future of the Madison campus. Not the next ice age: the last one. The one that scooped out Lake Mendota and carved the university's three-mile shoreline. The one that created Picnic Point. The one that bulldozed moraines and piled up the glacial drumlins now known as Bascom Hill and Eagle Heights.

"Our setting is our greatest asset," Fish says. "It is our number one branding advantage."

The new master plan, which is being developed with the help of the Ayers Saint Gross campus planning firm of Baltimore, will seek to capitalize on that advantage. Among the key themes:

• Preserve and enhance natural areas. This will be done in part by "reducing our physical impact on the land," according to Gary Brown, director of the Office of Planning and Landscape Architecture. One goal is to reclaim some of the 98 acres - more than 10 percent of the 933-acre campus - that are now occupied by surface parking lots. "If we go up three levels, we capture 65 acres," says Fish, referring to strategically built parking decks. Fish says he can foresee a day when the sprawling Lot 60 is restored to parkland.

• Reopen lake views. Over the years, the officials say, many sparkling views of Lake Mendota have become blocked by the growth of trees and brush. Careful forestry could make those views available again to residents of the lakeshore dorms and Elizabeth Waters Hall, which hugs the hillside of Bascom; to strollers along the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path; and to visitors to Picnic Point, who now cannot use most of the point for picnicking if they want to see the lake.

• Create "nice places." The plan calls for the creation of new malls, plazas and quadrangles. If Van Hise were gone, Fish says, the university could build "Spanish Steps" down the back of Bascom Hill, opening onto a new quad that would stretch to the picturesque Horse Barn on the agricultural campus. Linden and Charter streets would become essentially a pedestrian and bicycle mall.

• Group buildings into "neighborhoods." Examples would be the engineering campus, the arts and humanities campus, the health sciences campus and the agriculture and life sciences campus. Under the plan, new buildings would draw on the best architectural traditions of the past to give each neighborhood a distinctive identity.

"The concept of campus districts reaches back to the 1908 plan by Laird and Cret where they defined building styles and materials for certain areas of campus," Brown says. "We hope to enliven that idea again and build upon it as we develop new buildings, develop design guidelines for the campus and develop some of our existing stock."

Laid and Cret - Philadelphia planners Warren Powers Laird and Paul Philippe Cret - worked under the UW's first official campus architect, Arthur Peabody, at the turn of the last century. Peabody's legacy includes some of the most cherished UW buildings, such as the Memorial Union, the Bascom Hill carillon tower and the Field House.

Now a new architect is coming to take Peabody's role, exactly 100 years after he was appointed in 1905. Interviews with candidates for university architect took place earlier this month and an announcement is expected in March.

The university architect will be charged with designing new buildings to harmonize with the best of the old, and also with designing signs, lighting and transit stops that will be common to the entire campus, pulling it together and declaring its edges and boundaries.

The 2005 master plan may be the most complex and comprehensive undertaking of its kind in the university's history. The numbers of people on and off campus who will be included in the process between now and September are so large that a full-time program assistant, Gwen Drury, has been at work since August just to schedule meetings and take comments.

But arching over the process is a sense of anticipation.

Chancellor Wiley says, "This moment allows us to use our imaginations to envision a campus that is more workable, more livable and more sustainable - and one that will carry our teaching, research and service mission into the future."


This image accompanied the article:
http://www.madison.com/images/articles/tct/2005/01/31/12234.jpg

Here is a link to the campus plan website:
http://www.uc.wisc.edu/masterplan/

[EastSider]

I found some renderings of the approved (or is it U/C, I don't remember) Madison Mark. Just thought you guys might want to check them out.

I'm really into the design, what do you guys think?

http://img177.exs.cx/img177/6963/madisonmark8ed.jpg
http://img174.exs.cx/img174/9315/madisonmark33iz.jpg
http://img174.exs.cx/img174/1803/madisonmark43dw.jpg
http://http://img174.exs.cx/img174/2466/madisonmark21sx.jpg

[Jason]

I found some renderings of the approved (or is it U/C, I don't remember) Madison Mark. Just thought you guys might want to check them out.

I'm really into the design, what do you guys think?


Thanks for those. They're not of the Madison Mark though (or a very old concept). The Mark is almost done and looks nothing like that. I'll try to find (or I'll just snap some) photos of it.

[Jason]

Here's one...
http://www.journalism.wisc.edu/j417/fall04/Enrichment/Images/realestatepic3.jpg
(source: http://www.journalism.wisc.edu/j417/fall04/Enrichment/Articles/realestate2.htm)

Here's the Madison Mark's website (they have some really cool 3D fly and drive-byes of the building)...
http://www.themadisonmark.com/
http://www.themadisonmark.com/images/splash_photo_400_2.jpg

[EastSider]

Thanks for the correction Jason, no clue why I said that was Madison Mark. Those are renderings of the approved (according to Emporis) Capitol West--Block 51 mixed used development.

Here's a link to the site:
click for link (http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.jsp?query=%22capitol+west%22+Madison+development&page=1&offset=0&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3D7cd4440eaf1961e6%26clickedItemRank%3D1%26userQuery%3D%2522capitol%2Bwest%2522%2BMadison%2Bdevelopment%26clickedItemURN%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.millerhull.com%252Fhtml%252Fprogress%252Fmadison.htm%26invocationType%3D-%26fromPage%3DNSCPToolbarNS%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.millerhull.com%2Fhtml%2Fprogress%2Fmadison.htm)

[Jason]

I see. I didn't recognize it as the Capital West plan. I've only seen land-use drawings, no renderings. The Alexander Company(http://www.alexandercompany.com) is behind this development, and the land is owned by Meriter. Here's a snippet from their website...

The Alexander Company’s $110 million dollar, mixed-use development of Capitol West will create a vibrant urban neighborhood in the center of Madison, Wisconsin, where people can feel at home, downtown. Just three blocks from the Capitol square, the entire property (including a 2.16 acre redevelopment site) encompasses 4.46 acres – a city block bordered by West Washington Avenue, and South Henry, West Main and South Broom Streets. Capitol West is being carefully developed based upon the findings of an urban housing case study completed by The Alexander Company and a nationally distinguished team of architects. The site plan and architecture is being guided by the integration of natural light, air and ventilation into the block and into the homes. Buildings will be sited to maximize views and site lines. The use of features such as terraces, roof gardens and fold-away living room walls will link the outdoors with the interior living spaces. The design will be clean, contemporary and modern. Common areas will be urban parks with linkages between neighborhood shopping, homes and convenient, covered parking. Residents will swim in the heated, outdoor lap pool, meet in the community’s winter garden and exercise in the fitness center.

A diversity of housing types at varying price points will provide homeowners with a housing option that best meets their individual needs and desires. Approximately 375 to 400 housing units will range in size from 650 square feet to 4,000 square feet and are estimated to be priced between $120,000 and $800,000.

In addition to the creation of housing, approximately 17,000 to 18,000 square feet of neighborhood retail space for cafes, sandwich shops, dry cleaners and the like will be included at strategic locations to support the redevelopment and the surrounding neighborhood.

Parking will be provided in multi-level subgrade structure and in the existing parking garage. In addition, to creating parking for the housing and neighborhood retail, the redevelopment plan includes the creation of approximately 420 public parking spaces for off site uses to meet the demands identified in the West Washington Corridor Parking Study.

For more information please go to www.capitol-west.com


...and to answer your question about it's status. A lot of demolition needs to be done before any work can begin there, and all of those old houses are still filled with renters (students), so nothing has started yet.

[Jason]

12-story housing gets ok'd today. The neighborhood is already the most dense in Madison.

High rise student housing OK'd

A story by Mike Ivey
February 8, 2005

Despite concerns about tearing down five 19th century homes and blocking views of the Capitol, the city Plan Commission approved a 12-story student apartment tower at the corner of West Gorham and Broom streets.

The $14 million project from Karl Madsen and Mike Fisher of Great Dane Development is the latest in a series of high-rises near where West Gorham turns into University Avenue. Monday night, the commission approved a rezoning for the project on a 5-3 vote.

The building will provide 115 housing units, including 18 affordable units to meet the city inclusionary zoning ordinance. It has 78 underground parking spaces and 142 bicycle and moped parking spaces. Commercial space is planned for the first floor.

Much of the opposition centered on the five older homes now being rented as student apartments. While the buildings are not considered historic they have elements worth preserving, according to Jim Skrentny of the Capitol Neighborhoods Association.

"Several of them are in very good shape inside, with the original woodwork still intact," he said.

The developers are attempting to move two of the homes to other sites in the downtown but have been unable to secure a site for the largest home, at 409 W. Gorham St.

"We're doing everything we can to try and save these buildings, " said Sonya Newenhouse of the Madison Environmental Group, which is working with the developers.

Still, that was not enough to satisfy downtown resident Ledell Zellers, who said the project did not meet the criteria of the city's demolition ordinance.

"The ordinance does not say you can tear down homes just to have a larger income," she said, suggesting that the developers overpaid for the properties. They are paying about $2.5 million for the five properties, according to previous reports.

Zellers also criticized the project for failing to meet city guidelines regarding building heights. The area in question is part of a special zoning district that limits buildings to 10 stories. Two additional bonus stories can be granted, however, if the project is considered "extraordinary."

"This is not a building of extraordinary design," said Zellers.

But city planning unit director Brad Murphy said the project was the "best we've seen" of the several student high-rises built recently near campus. The top three stories of the buildings are finished in glass and stepped back from the lower stories to lessen the massing effect.

The 12-story "Aberdeen," with its distinctive copper top, occupies the other end of the 400 block of West Gorham Street. It was also granted two bonus stories by city officials.

Attorney Ron Trachtenberg, representing the developers, argued that having more student high-rise housing will take pressure off existing residential neighborhoods near the downtown. He said homes there are being purchased by families and rehabilitated.

"This is a very good-looking building that will provide needed student housing and complete the block," he said.

Concerns also were raised that the building will partially obstruct views of the Capitol, although the project does not technically violate the city Capitol View preservation ordinance which prevents any building from being taller than 187 feet.

Commission member Ald. Brenda Konkel, who cast one of the "no" votes, said she was uncomfortable with many aspects of the project, including the granting of the bonus stories, the demolition issue and the Capitol view question.

"I just find it difficult to see how this meets all of those ordinances," she said.

But commissioner Ald. Jean MacCubbin, who cast a key vote in support of the project, said the downtown is continuing to evolve with newer tall buildings replacing former single family homes.

"We need to start getting used to this," she said.

Rents will range from $616 a month for a studio to $2,500 for a four-bedroom apartment. Construction could begin this summer with completion by July 2006.

Troy Gardens OK'd: Also Monday night the commission approved a plan for 30 new condominium units, open space and community gardens along the north side of the 500 and 600 blocks of Troy Drive on the city's north side.

The project from the Madison Area Community Development Land Trust will make 20 of those units available for lower income residents. It's part of a long-range planning effort to redevelop 31 acres formerly owned by the state of Wisconsin as part of the Mendota Mental Health Center.

"I'm very proud to have this in my district," said commission member Ald. Paul Van Rooy. "It's going to be a great development."

Also the commission:

• Approved a three-story, 51-unit apartment building east of Interstate 90 at 734 Jupiter Drive, near the intersection with Cottage Grove Road. The project is from Jeff Wickline and Kevin Shipley and Lake City Construction Group.

• Approved the Interstate Commerce Park west of Interstate 90-94 at Hoepker Road on the city's far north side. The project is from John Brigham and Brigham Woods Corp. and Rice Association.

• Approved a child care and nursery in a single family home at 9 Merrill Crest Drive on the west side for the Lighthouse Church.

E-mail: mivey@madison.com

[ReddAlert]

does Madison have alot of buildings with decks on the roof? I think it would be cool in Madison to have lots of these so people could grill, swim, party all having views of the lake and Capitol building.

[i_am_hydrogen]

ReddAlert -- some of the higher buildings have areas where people can hang out. With respect to the houses there, the situation is different because many of them are A-frames, which aren't as amenable to roof-top decks. Thus, it's not like Chicago in that sense, where the flat roof-tops of many homes allow for that.

However, I can say this: Madison is a serious porch town. Many, many houses have them. I've even known people (including myself) who've factored in the quality of a porch in making the decision whether to rent a particular place. People definitely like to hang out on their porches and grill out or whatever may be the case. It creates a really nice atmosphere, too. When I used to live kitty-corner from the Kohl Center, I can't tell you how many random people my friends and I met purely by virtue of hanging out on our porch. It's a lot of fun.

[milwaukeeunseen]

High rise student housing OK'd

A story by Mike Ivey
February 8, 2005

Despite concerns about tearing down five 19th century homes and blocking views of the Capitol, the city Plan Commission approved a 12-story student apartment tower at the corner of West Gorham and Broom streets.

Good lord, anything better than the garbage that stands at that bend in the road right now would be "extraordinary." The one with the copper roof must seriously be the ugliest thing I've ever seen. But hey, I guess it's an improvement over La Ciel.

This is probably a question I could easily answer myself by going back through the thread, but what's happening with the Burger King site on Lake and University? That Burger King was a favorite drunken haunt during my college days. Probably the most trashed I've ever been in in a public place was in that establishment, gobbling Whoppers.

[milwaukeeunseen]

However, I can say this: Madison is a serious porch town. Many, many houses have them. I've even known people (including myself) who've factored in the quality of a porch in making the decision whether to rent a particular place. People definitely like to hang out on their porches and grill out or whatever may be the case. It creates a really nice atmosphere, too. When I used to live kitty-corner from the Kohl Center, I can't tell you how many random people my friends and I met purely by virtue of hanging out on our porch. It's a lot of fun.

You betcha. The porches in my college pads were really the living room of the house during nice-weather months. We would sit there for hours late into the night. Nothing beats the Madison college dive experience. I can't believe I lived in some of these dumps, though.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Nothing beats the Madison college dive experience. I can't believe I lived in some of these dumps, though.

Haha, so true... I remember one place I lived in had paneling everywhere. My bedroom floor sloped downward and was covered in cheap maroon indoor/outdoor carpeting.

They're getting rid of the Burger King? I hadn't heard about that.

[Jason]

High rise student housing OK'd

A story by Mike Ivey
February 8, 2005

Despite concerns about tearing down five 19th century homes and blocking views of the Capitol, the city Plan Commission approved a 12-story student apartment tower at the corner of West Gorham and Broom streets.

Good lord, anything better than the garbage that stands at that bend in the road right now would be "extraordinary." The one with the copper roof must seriously be the ugliest thing I've ever seen. But hey, I guess it's an improvement over La Ciel.

This is probably a question I could easily answer myself by going back through the thread, but what's happening with the Burger King site on Lake and University? That Burger King was a favorite drunken haunt during my college days. Probably the most trashed I've ever been in in a public place was in that establishment, gobbling Whoppers.


The top of the Aberdeen is pretty ugly, IMO.

There's a building called "The Varsity" or something like that going in where the old BK was. I'm not exactly sure what it is yet. It's about 4-stories tall. The drawing on the construction site makes it appear to be 1st floor retail and upstairs apartments.

[milwaukeeunseen]

Quick question for those currently enrolled in UW Madison or otherwise familiar with it: what are the rents like these days for student apartments?

The reason I ask is that I knew of several dive landlords who sold off their dumpy student apartments once more student high-rises started going up. They knew that the Downtown housing market was changing, and that soon they would have to either do better maintanence on their properties (imagine that!) or charge lower rents.

Economics 101: when supply goes up and demand stays the same, prices fall. So, with more supply in quality student housing, have the prices fallen on the really crappy student flats? Especially around Mifflin Street, Dayton, West Wash, etc?

I was living in two bedroom cramped roach-infested shitholes on the east side of campus for about $600/mo in the late 1990s. But I had the time of my life in those shitholes.

[Jason]

Quick question for those currently enrolled in UW Madison or otherwise familiar with it: what are the rents like these days for student apartments?

The reason I ask is that I knew of several dive landlords who sold off their dumpy student apartments once more student high-rises started going up. They knew that the Downtown housing market was changing, and that soon they would have to either do better maintanence on their properties (imagine that!) or charge lower rents.

Economics 101: when supply goes up and demand stays the same, prices fall. So, with more supply in quality student housing, have the prices fallen on the really crappy student flats? Especially around Mifflin Street, Dayton, West Wash, etc?

I was living in two bedroom cramped roach-infested shitholes on the east side of campus for about $600/mo in the late 1990s. But I had the time of my life in those shitholes.

A guy that works for me that lives near campus (not directly on campus) lives in a 1 bedroom, kitchen-against-the wall, 600-sq-ft shithole, and it runs him about $500/month (electric not included). Another person I know recently paid about $400/month near campus for 1-room/efficieny w/electric included.

[Jason]

Because of this thread...
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=179325

I felt oblicated to post a rendering of the old Buy-Sell Shop on E. Wash that's being upgraded/expanded right now:
http://www.thebrassringmadison.com/701%20East%20Wash%20Rendering_1.jpg
Anyone familiar with the building would agree that this is an improvement. It's now an entertainment destination.

I also mentioned I would get around to posting more about Union Corners and the Don Miller redevelopment. I'll try to get to it this weekend.

[milwaukeeunseen]

There used to be a resale shop in that building. It was a dump, but that guy sold some great stuff. We bought nintendo games there for 2 bucks a pop that provided hours of endless entertainment in the college pad. Does the shop still exist somewhere else?

[Jason]

There used to be a resale shop in that building. It was a dump, but that guy sold some great stuff. We bought nintendo games there for 2 bucks a pop that provided hours of endless entertainment in the college pad. Does the shop still exist somewhere else?

It's down E. Wash further. Next to Bev's diner, or something like that.

[Greg Hartmann]

When I say "city", I mean "city", and all it's institutions. Including the city council, developers, residents, etc. Also, I never, ever, fought in the Essen Haus bathroom. Lastly, who would want to polka on a clean new floor anyway? It'll never be as good, and I still want to kick Greg Hartmann in the nuts.

Nice to see everyone taking so much interest in the project.

The kicking of the nuts is kind of harsh but I respect or opinion.

Let's not forget who put the Essen Haus up for sale.
I am not forcing anyone to do anything.

[Greg Hartmann]

A tidbit of news today, so I guess it's as good a time as any to fire up a Madison thread (as requested).

On with today's news...
The Block 115 redevelopment (the block with the Essen Haus, Come Back Inn and Hotel Ruby Marie for those familiar with the area) is all owned by developer Greg Hartmann who had orginally proposed a narrow 16-story condo tower with a number of other smaller towers also in the project. His proposal was received very coldly, so he has done a major revision of the proposal. The tallest tower now proposed for the site is just 8-floors...

http://madison-architecture.com/madarchfiles/10743.jpg

Here's the story in The Capital Times...
http://www.madison.com/tct/business//index.php?ntid=22038&ntpid=7#

We have updated the perspectives. Enjoy.
www.Block115.com

[Greg Hartmann]

I'm really digging that design. However I'm confused about the project. Is this all one new building?

We have 5 buildings total.

1 of the buildings will be a historic home that we move to the site.

[Badgers77]

Anyone ever think that Madison will ever get a skyscraper, or at least a building over 20 floors, a ways from the Capitol?

[Neph]

The kicking of the nuts is kind of harsh but I respect or opinion.
ROTFL, Greg, you're a better man then me! I would've told him what was what.

[EastSider]

Thanks for the links for the new drawings. By the way, this pic is exciting, check out that development.
http://www.block115.com/photos/3a_041202.jpg

[Neph]

YEAH That's what I'm talkin bout! Right there!

Eastsider your the best

[ReddAlert]

very cool pic Eastsider..quite dense. I dig it, my friend.

As for the question asked by Badgers (by the way, welcome to the forum! My alias is ReddAlert...you can call me Doug)

I think that Madison will eventually get some....when space on the isthmus runs out IMO. I skyscraper (probally a small one) would offer spectacular views of the isthmus, capitol building, lakes, citylife...etc. I think this would be a great idea. Then again...having a low rise city makes the city unique, with its cool proposals. Which do you guys prefer? I think Id rather have a nice low rise city with a couple of hi rises.

[Jason]

We have 5 buildings total.

1 of the buildings will be a historic home that we move to the site.

Glad to see you here Greg. I've been reading your interraction on The Daily page, but haven't participated. I am in full support of the development, and look forward to seeing it come along.

[Jason]

20+ story buildings are not in Madison's forseeable future. City ordinance and strong support will prevent it. Besides, it contributes to Madison's evenly-distributed density, contributing to it's unique (small city) urban-fabric. There is no need for sore-thumbs (tall buildings) in Madison.

[EastSider]

^agreed

[Greg Hartmann]

Glad to see you here Greg. I've been reading your interraction on The Daily page, but haven't participated. I am in full support of the development, and look forward to seeing it come along.

I can use all the support available. If possible, make it to the public meetings.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Greg,

I also really like the Block 115 project. Thanks for the URL/info.

[Jason]

Thank god for E. Wash redevelopment. Ugh, what an eyesore the gateway is.

'Gateway to the city'
East Wash mixed-use project moves forward

By Mike Ivey
February 22, 2005



http://www.madison-architecture.com/madarchfiles/12988.jpg
This is the view of the planned 10-story condominium tower and mixed housing and retail space from East Washington Avenue looking west.
This is the view of the planned 10-story condominium tower and mixed housing and retail space from East Washington Avenue looking west. (EPPSTEIN UHEN RENDERING)

The transformation of a used car lot on East Washington Avenue into a full block of mixed housing, retail space and a 10-story condominium tower has sailed through the city Plan Commission.

The review panel Monday night gave unanimous approval to an $80 million plan from developer Gary Gorman to build 309 condo units and 15,000 square feet of retail space in nine different buildings on the 800 block of East Washington.

The block is currently home to the Don Miller auto dealership, which is moving to High Crossing Boulevard on the far east side.

"I remember the mayor at a meeting a year ago saying somebody should do something with that Don Miller lot," said Gorman. "So I called them."

While Gorman had clashed with downtown neighbors during a redevelopment of the Quisling Clinic building on Wisconsin Avenue several years ago, this project came together rather easily. The developer met early with both the Tenney-Lapham and Old Market neighborhoods to get input.

"Originally I was against it but I've been completely won over," said Mary Pulliam, who lives at 935 E. Dayton St. "We're not losing anything here except a used car lot."

Ald. Brenda Konkel, whose district includes the development site, said she was surprised how all parties cooperated in crafting a plan to provide housing density while respecting the existing neighborhood.

"People told Gary he was crazy coming into the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood," she said. "But this process turned out to be a model for how to get things done. It was even fun."

The central piece of the project is the 10-story modern-looking building at the corner of East Washington Avenue and Paterson Street, directly across from Breese Stevens Field. The building will have retail space on the first floor, while providing views of both lakes from the condo units. Some condo units will also have views looking down into the stadium's playing field, drawing comparisons to Chicago's Wrigley Field.

In addition, a new street with 34 parking spaces will bisect the block, connecting Paterson and Livingston streets.

"This street will create a unique opportunity for live-work units, with arts, music, pilates, yoga, dance, crafts, etc.," Gorman said.

Another 486 parking spaces will be provided underground to serve the condos.

The condo buildings along East Washington will be the tallest and will drop to two or three stories on Mifflin Street. The smaller units will have entrances to the street.

While the project enjoyed strong support, Madison resident and environmental activist Gary Werner urged the city and developer to consider increasing the width of the terrace. He noted that West Washington and Wisconsin avenues downtown are pedestrian friendly because they have a wider terrace.

"There is a chance here to set a precedent for East Washington," he said. "This gateway to the State Capitol should be one of the grandest boulevards, not just in the Midwest but in the world."

The project is to be built in two phases, beginning this year. Phase two would begin in 2006. The project also is expected to meet the city's inclusionary zoning ordinance, which requires that 15 percent of units in new buildings be priced for moderate income buyers.

"This will set the tone for a gateway entrance to the city," said Gorman.

Green belt purchase: Also Monday night the commission approved spending $550,000 to purchase 18 acres along U.S. 151 from Whitson Swift Homes Inc. to complete a 254-acre open space area between Madison and Sun Prairie.

The property owners were also paid $1.4 million by the state Department of Transportation to give up access to U.S. 151. The model home site is being closed as part of the reconfiguration of U.S. 151 near the intersection of County C.

[Badgers77]

Thank god for E. Wash redevelopment. Ugh, what an eyesore the gateway is.

That's awesome! That'll improve E. Washington instantly. They say Madison is a pain in the ass to build in, but I think it pays off- Madison doesn't let ugly buildings be built, and they are very efficient and only let things get developed after lots of planning.

[Badgers77]

Oh, sweet. Are they redoing the whole "gateway", including some of the streets going towards the capitol? If they want to improve it though, they NEED to get rid of that eyesore power plant and move it somewhere else. Those smokestacks and machinery kill the scene. They also need to improve all the run down retail space, like that adult store and such... I'm happy to see they are trying to redo the whole gateway though.

[ReddAlert]

amazing building...I love it!

[EastSider]

It's great to see the new developments going on around East Wash, with the reconstruction and beatifcation going on that street is going to look completly different.

Also here'a a link. I don't know if this has been mentioned thus far:

McGrath to receive state aid for Madison project
Developer McGrath Associates, Madison, will receive a $450,000 brownfields grant from the state of Wisconsin for its planned $79 million redevelopment of the former Rayovac French Battery building on Madison's near east side into residential and commercial space.
LINK (http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/02/14/daily39.html)

[Jason]

Not big or architecturally significant, but "neat"...


Earthly comforts: Historic Tobacco Row lofts to have geothermal heating, cooling
Brick, timber and warmth from ground

By Ron McCrea
February 28, 2005

Urban Land Interest development of tobacco row warehouses into apartments on Feeney Court.

http://www.madison-architecture.com/images/stories/madarchfiles/13231.jpg
Urban Land Interest development of tobacco row warehouses into apartments on Feeney Court. (Photo by Rich Rygh/The Capital Times)

Come July, two historic tobacco warehouses in the Bassett neighborhood will take on a new life as Tobacco Row, 61 loft apartments separated by a courtyard where rail cars used to load Wisconsin leaf headed for the Carolinas.

But the lovely cream-brick and limestone buildings, part of the former Findorff lumber yards, will have an ultra-modern distinction: They will be heated and cooled by a system that uses the Earth to regulate the water temperature.

Paul Muench, the project manager for Urban Land Interests, said a closed-loop, geothermal heat pump system seemed ideal for the historic structures, which are at the end of Feeney Court off West Main Street.

"We didn't want to put any penetrations in the beautiful brick," he said Friday. "We didn't want to have mechanical equipment hanging off the building. We didn't want it sitting up on the roof. If you use boilers and chillers, you have to put them somewhere.

"What I'm going to be most proud of when this project is done are the things you don't see. You won't see any of that stuff. The entire heating and cooling system is invisible."

Thirty-six 300-foot vertical wells have been drilled under what will be a surface parking lot, and pipes sent down and then up each one of them.

"In the spring, when we get our thaw, we'll connect the tops of them well-to-well like a daisy chain," Muench said. "There is a pump that is like the heart. The water gets pumped up and down, up and down, through the ground, and then it gets returned and runs through the entire complex like a vascular system. No matter what time of year, that water will come out of the ground at Earth's temperature, which is 54 degrees."

In conventional systems, water has to be heated or chilled mechanically with boilers and fluid coolers. "Here we just ship it out to Mother Earth and it gets reset," Muench said.

This gives the individually controlled heat pumps in the apartments "savings from the ground up," as the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium puts it, since they only have to make up the difference between 54 degrees and the desired temperature, whether cool in summer or warm in winter.

Those savings on heating and cooling should be "fairly significant," Muench said. The only power required will be the electricity to run the main pump and the individual ceiling-mounted heat pumps, which are about the size of a small file cabinet.

The loft apartments, which will have high ceilings and exposed brick walls in the living rooms, will have some supplemental baseboard heaters available, "so that if you like to sit next to the window and read a book, you can click it on and get a little bit extra," Muench said.

The hallways of the building will also use a central heat recovery system that will capture the heat from kitchen and bathroom exhausts. "It ejects the air but grabs the heat and introduces it to the fresh air that is coming in to freshen the corridors," Muench said. "The general rule is, you want to pressurize the corridors so cooking smells don't get drawn into them, and you want to exhaust the kitchens and bathrooms."

Tall timber: Kitty Rankin, director of the Madison Landmarks Commission, said she is "absolutely thrilled" with the adaptive reuse of the warehouses.

"We've been working from before day one to help guide development in that area. Now, with historic tax credits available, it doesn't take much convincing to get developers to do that sort of thing," she said in an interview. Not, she added, that Urban Land Interests needed convincing.

Indeed, the developer took the lead in getting the warehouses listed on both the state and federal registers of historic places, a prerequisite for getting the credits, which Muench said amount to about $2 million of the $11 million project.

The warehouses were built between 1899 and 1901, he said. The west building was actually designed by the famous firm of Claude and Stark for the P. Lorillard Tobacco Co. The architect of the east building is unknown. The buildings served as warehouses for Lorillard and later the American Tobacco Co. until the 1930s. Then they became J.H. Findorff and Son buildings where lumber was stored and sold. Most recently, Muench said, a millworker used one of the buildings to build and store new desks for the State Capitol renovation.

Aside from carving out some windows under preservation supervision to meet code, the building's exterior is unchanged. But now it is bright and gleaming. The exterior cream brick was "black from 100 years of soot," Muench said. It was cleaned with soap and water and a high-pressure rinse.

Inside, the high timbers and brick were all lightly sandblasted to remove lead paint. "We were just blessed with what we found under the paint, this orange-ocher wood. It turned out better than our wildest hopes," he said. Heavy timbers - some appearing taller than trees are allowed to grow anymore - are spruce and Douglas fir, he said, and there is also some oak in the east building.

When Tobacco Row is completed, the east building will have three floors of 13 apartments each. The west building will have 22 apartments on an upper floor, a marketing office, and a ground-floor interior parking garage with space for 59 vehicles.

Living rooms will have exposed brick and timber; bedrooms will be insulated and drywalled. Loft levels are being built in the larger units. Boardwalks and a landscaped courtyard will separate the buildings. Two private drives - Lorillard Court and Findorff Court - will serve the complex.

Muench said the apartments will rent from $800 to $2,400 a month, but most will be in the $1,200 to $1,500 range. Under the historic tax credit program, the living spaces must remain apartments for five years before they can be converted to condominiums.

A second phase of the project is now being planned for new residential housing on the rest of the former Findorff property facing Proudfit Street and Lake Monona.

E-mail: rmccrea@madison.com

[Badgers77]

What do you all think of the new Marina condos? They aren't done yet, are they?

http://marinahomes.net/Location/MARaerial-wide-big.jpg

Also, I can't wait for the new master plan to get started. It's really gonna make the town a lot better...

[Jason]

What do you all think of the new Marina condos? They aren't done yet, are they?

http://marinahomes.net/Location/MARaerial-wide-big.jpg

Also, I can't wait for the new master plan to get started. It's really gonna make the town a lot better...

That rendering from the Marina website is ancient. The Hilton isn't even built yet in the picture, and the Hilton was complete in 2001. It's not finished yet, it will be another 3-5 months I would guess from looking at it.

Are you talking about the UW-Madison master plan? You must, there is no City of Madison master plan. Honestly, I don't really care what happens down at the UW, seeing as how the city started growing it's own identity a few years ago, and doesn't rely on the U. like it used to for activity and life.

[Jason]

The city council has approved that East Wash plan about 8 posts up...
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=30457&ntpid=2

[Badgers77]

A new picture:

http://www.madison.com/images/articles/tct/2005/03/02/13314.jpg

I'm excited for this, but E. Washington needs a ton of work, still. It still cuts right through that ugly residential section near the high school- and I would assume they are probably going to concentrate most of their efforts on the area right after that, about a mile or two out from the capitol building.

[Jason]

A new picture:



I'm excited for this, but E. Washington needs a ton of work, still. It still cuts right through that ugly residential section near the high school- and I would assume they are probably going to concentrate most of their efforts on the area right after that, about a mile or two out from the capitol building.

I have to disagree. The residential neighborhood around East High ("Emerson East" neighborhood) has a lot of character. Some of the houses are not well maintained, but that's the least of E. Wash's problems. The blight that most needs attention is between Baldwin & 1st, the Milwaukee Street intersection, and again between Aberg & Stoughton. These areas are filled with old industrial and abandoned retail (including a porn shop, and a psuedo-brothel). Of course there are two major projects underway in 2 of the areas already, and the porn shop has been under attack for years, but it's not good enough yet. I'd prefer to leave the residential area around East High intact, especially the school. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Besides, I think you'll see some of the houses simply being remodeled as the property value starts going up thanks to the new road and surrounding development, and those older houses give young or underprivelaged families a chance to be a home owner in the city, which isn't easy anymore.

http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/east/images/photo-east-front(300x).jpg

http://www.ecomagic.org/east/EastHigh.jpg

There's the porn shop (also known as the place to get drugs, and homesexual action)...
http://images.ibsys.com/2003/0618/2277404_200X150.jpg

[Badgers77]

I've talked about that porn shop in some of my other posts. It really, really needs to go. That whole abandoned strip mall thing needs to go. I do agree the high school area has character- and I think the High School is actually pretty good looking.

I think getting rid of the porn shops, as well as the other things you mentioned would be really huge. Really huge.

[Ben]

I drive on the street in Madison all the time. That's a Thunderbolt siren on top of East High School. :D

Never been to that porn shop. My friend says it's smaller than Selective Video off Todd Drive, which is what I goto. :D

http://www.jmarcoz.com/sirens/madison2_wi.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

I've been to that porn shop, once. I biked there all the way from my old pad on Doty and Bassett many years ago. Terrible rainstorm. But it paid off.

[Badgers77]

I'm sorry, but who the FUCK pays for porn? You guys aren't buying fuckable sheep dolls, are you?

[Ben]

I'm sorry, but who the FUCK pays for porn? You guys aren't buying fuckable sheep dolls, are you?
I never said I went there to buy stuff for me, or buy porn. They have all sorts of crap there besides videos, mags and pleasure toys.

[Badgers77]

I was talking to KDirt or whatever. Paying for porn is almost as ridiculous as paying for music.

[i_am_hydrogen]

I agree that it is. It's actually one of three or so times I've been to a porn shop.

[edsg25]

hey, milwaukeeans,

with all the talk about Federated and its effect on Marshall Field's, I was wondering if you guys miss having Marshall Field's at the Grand Avenue?

I realize that it never had the same status of a long-term department store at that location and that after Gimbel's left, the store never was brought up to Field's quality and was clearly treated by the firm as a secondary property. That said, could a strong Field's have made it downtown? Would that have had a positive effect on the Grand Avenue, which did suffer other slippage at the time Field's pulled out?

This is long past the prime era of department stores, and they do struggle. But it was clear a half century back to Marshall Field's that the Milw market embraced it when it built at Mayfair. That store was Field's from the start and has been a valued member of the Milw community; with more effort on the part of Dayton Hudson, could this have led to a similiar feeling for the Grand Avenue location?

[i_am_hydrogen]

edsg25 - the Grand Avenue is essentially a dead mall. My mom used to tell me all about how amazing the Grand Avenue used to be. These days, it hardly bears any resemblance to its former glory.

[Greg Hartmann]

edsg25 - the Grand Avenue is essentially a dead mall. My mom used to tell me all about how amazing the Grand Avenue used to be. These days, it hardly bears any resemblance to its former glory.


As with most malls.

A good example of the future of shopping is right in our back yard. http://www.greenwayshopping.com/index.html

This is a little extreme BUT trend setting nonetheless.

[Jason]

hey, milwaukeeans,

with all the talk about Federated and its effect on Marshall Field's, I was wondering if you guys miss having Marshall Field's at the Grand Avenue?

I realize that it never had the same status of a long-term department store at that location and that after Gimbel's left, the store never was brought up to Field's quality and was clearly treated by the firm as a secondary property. That said, could a strong Field's have made it downtown? Would that have had a positive effect on the Grand Avenue, which did suffer other slippage at the time Field's pulled out?

This is long past the prime era of department stores, and they do struggle. But it was clear a half century back to Marshall Field's that the Milw market embraced it when it built at Mayfair. That store was Field's from the start and has been a valued member of the Milw community; with more effort on the part of Dayton Hudson, could this have led to a similiar feeling for the Grand Avenue location?


Milwaukee has it's own thread, try there...

[EastSider]

edsg25 - the Grand Avenue is essentially a dead mall. My mom used to tell me all about how amazing the Grand Avenue used to be. These days, it hardly bears any resemblance to its former glory.

Grand Ave. is actually going through a rejuvenation. Through excellent renovations they've filled the vacant wing of the mall with large department stores (TJ Maxx, Bed Bath and Beyond) and added pedestrian friendly entrances and display windows that face the street. This is just the most recent work done on the mall; it has been under constant renovation for sometime.

I would never call it a dead mall. People go to Mayfair if they want to buy something from a chain store, and people go to Grand Ave. if they want something from a specialty store or major anchor chain stores. On the eastside where I live, you get a bad look if you talk about going to Mayfair over Grand Ave.

...and now back to the Madison thread.

[Jason]

The new courthouse building that made a big stink by partially blocking the view of the Capital from John Nolen Drive

A Time To Build: Making the grade
Public will enter new courthouse on a slope

By Ron McCrea
March 5, 2005

http://www.madison-architecture.com/images/stories/madarchfiles/13432.jpg
The public side of the new Dane County Justice Center faces South Hamilton Street. The glassed-in area in the center encloses public lobbies on all five courtroom floors. (Photo by David Sandell/The Capital Times)

http://www.madison-architecture.com/images/stories/madarchfiles/13433.jpg
Most courthouse visitors will use the ramp for disabled people that begins at the top of South Hamilton Street. Most visitors arriving by car will be dropped off next to the Public Safety Building (left) or park in the Dane County Ramp and take the crosswalks. (Photo by Henry A. Koshollek/The Capital Times)

The plans were out there and people should have known what to expect. But as with any new building, the $43.7 million Dane County Courthouse is presenting some surprises as it takes shape.

Some people are surprised it's so big - and so beige. They're surprised it blocks some Capitol views.

Now some may be surprised to learn that the only public entrance is on a slippery slope - South Hamilton Street.

"I can just imagine the mess it's going to be with stop-and-start driving, people dropping off passengers and picking them up," a court official said in casual conversation.

He can forget about that.

"Oh, no, they are not arriving on the hillside," Madison Traffic Engineer David Dryer said with a chortle. "We told the county we cannot have people stopping on that hill to get in a cab, to drop off and pick up. It's going to be posted 'No parking, standing or stopping.' I mean, there's just no way around it."

So how are people coming to the courthouse by car going to get to the public entrance? One of four ways:

• Find a rare parking place across the street on Hamilton, walk up to West Doty Street, cross with the light, then come down the lightly sloping handicapped ramp next to the building that will lead to the entrance. Or jaywalk across Hamilton to the courthouse, probably not a good idea.

• Find a parking place down the hill around West Wilson Street and take the sidewalk up Hamilton, or use the steep but sheltered steps that will be built next to the building.

• Drive up Hamilton, turn right on Doty, and drop off passengers at the handicapped ramp. One of the metered spaces on Doty at the corner may become a passenger loading zone.

• Park at the Dane County parking ramp on Fairchild Street, cross with the pedestrian signals at Doty, then take the handicapped ramp to the main entrance. Or, for more exercise, take the sidewalk down the Hamilton slope and climb the steps.

Two judges involved with courthouse planning said they expect most people will take either the third or fourth option.

Chief Circuit Judge Michael Nowakowski said in an interview that although the wedge-shaped site is challenging in some ways, "one of the advantages is that it's closer to the parking." Jurors and others will have to walk only about a block and a half to the entrance from the county ramp instead of the current three blocks.

Still, the Doty-Hamilton corner could become a zone of vehicle-pedestrian conflict. Dryer, the traffic engineer, predicted that there will be more pedestrians when the new courthouse opens, "so there will be more potential for interaction with the traffic."

"We have the best control we can have there with the signal," he said. "It's coordinated with the one at the bottom, because if you stop anybody on that hill in the winter it can be quite entertaining as they come down the hill sideways. It's doggone steep."

How steep? About a 9 percent grade, said Christy Bachmann of the City Engineer's Office, although it looks steeper than that.

There are no plans to heat the sidewalk or the handicapped ramp in winter, said Circuit Judge Sarah O'Brien, who has been closely involved with planning every aspect of the building.

But unlike today's public entrance on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the ramp along Hamilton will be sheltered by the building's overhang. "So for winter access it's going to be more pleasant and safer. We expect almost everyone to enter the building on this ramp."

Nowakowski said the building was "raised or lowered a couple of feet to make sure that the grade was satisfactory" for the ramp. "I've been on there and that grade is not very steep."

Judges and other court officials will not have to contend with the hill. They will have 33 underground parking places in a ramp accessed from West Wilson Street. Service vehicles will also enter there.

The city had opposed Wilson Street as a public entrance, citing traffic issues, but the hillside was the clincher.

"Given that the public entrance is actually two stories up from the parking level of the building, there was no way a parking entrance on Hamilton Street could get back to the lower level," Nowakowski said. "It was physically impossible."

The public will get to test the user-friendliness of the new building, its street and its sidewalk beginning next winter. Move-in is scheduled for the week of Jan. 9, 2006.

E-mail: rmccrea@madison.com

Published: 9:15 AM 3/5/05

Story link:
http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/local//index.php?ntid=31005&nt_adsect=edit#

[EastSider]

Thanks for the update, I still haven't found a rendering of the courthouse, does anyone know where to find one?

[Badgers77]

I don't like it that much, from what it looks like in that pic.

[Jason]

This guy is totally nuts for even brining this to the table...


Massive building would be Madison's costliest ever
00:00 am 3/13/05
Dean Mosiman Wisconsin State Journal

http://www.madison.com/images/articles/wsj/2005/03/12/13665.jpg
Developer Curt Brink unveils a model of his proposed $250 million, mixed-use Archipelago Village. It would be the most expensive building project in city history.
(Joseph W. Jackson III - State Journal)

Developer Curt Brink is proposing the most ambitious building project in Madison history.

The $250 million Archipelago Village would be the city's tallest, biggest and most costly private development ever.

It would be a grand hub for buses, streetcars, bicycles and cars.

And it promises to challenge the city's imagination and identity like few developments before it.

It may even be too much.

"We're not a sleepy 50,000 population college town anymore," Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said. "We're not New York City either."

The 27-story, 570-foot-tall building - twice as tall as the state Capitol - would be the second highest tower in the state and would provide a staggering 1.4 million square feet of commercial space on the old Mautz Paint site and other properties on the 900 block of East Washington Avenue. The development would shatter sacred city and state laws that limit building height to 187.2 feet within one mile of the Capitol. Those rules are designed to preserve views of the Capitol. The proposal is expected to ignite intense debate on how the city should grow as its boundaries reach their limits for expansion.

The proposal, Brink stressed, only starts a community dialogue on the project, and nothing is set in stone.

"What we're doing here is to show what might be possible," he said. "But we're serious about the possibility. It's an opportunity to do it." •

Costlier than Overture "It" is jaw-dropping.

The $250 million price tag would surpass the cost of Overture Center on State Street.

The project, featuring varied rooflines meant to look like buildings built over time, would include two hotels, 600,000 square feet of office space, 400,000 square feet of retail space, condos, a grocery, health club, perhaps a water park and 3,200 parking spaces.

It would also have a six- story, football-field-size atrium surrounded by stores and restaurants and crossed by wide footbridges where people could linger, eat or socialize.

The total commercial space would be about 50 percent more than East Towne or West Towne malls. And the parking garage would triple the size of the city's largest public ramp, the 859-space State Street- Capitol garage.

The project would follow nationally recognized "green" standards for energy conservation, natural lighting and recycling of materials from demolition.

A new street would run under the building, which would have a two-story, Grand Central Station-style transportation hub catering to bicyclists, cars, taxis, local and regional buses and streetcars.

"It's supposed to be like, 'Gee, I want to go there.' And when you're there, you're not disappointed," said Brink, 53, who has been quietly crafting the proposal for more than two years and who bubbles with enthusiasm about its potential. •

Growing up, not out The project, he said, lets the city boost its tax base by growing up, in contrast to sprawling outward. And it would deliver a boom in new sales and hotel room tax revenues, he said.

If a tax increment financing district (TIF) is created in the area, the project could generate huge sums of money that the city could use for budding Central Park nearby or other public improvements, he said.

Brink said he wants the community to be comfortable with whatever is built on the property and intends to engage the public for months before submitting plans for the city's formal review process.

In fact, he has built a huge model of the project and has set it in an 8,000-square-foot showroom in a vacant building on the block. The showroom, its walls covered with renderings and maps, is furnished with chairs, tables and other amenities so neighbors, business owners, officials and others can critique the proposal. He also has a special phone number and Web site to take public comment.

Brink is using the showroom to host the upcoming East Washington BUILD process, which will involve residents, officials and others in an intense planning effort for the East Washington Avenue area between Blair and First streets.

"We're trying to have an open, involved process," Brink said. "What we're doing is transparent. With all the input, we'll end up with something pretty fantastic." •

Awe, praise, skepticism Construction could begin as soon as 2006 and would take at least five years, he said.

Early reaction has been a mix of awe, along with praise for offering life to a dormant block, skepticism about Brink's capacity to pull it off, and concern about the height, mass and location.

"I want to applaud Curt for thinking big," Cieslewicz said, lauding the mixed use and transit elements of the project. "But it strikes me as too ambitious for one site."

City planning and development director Mark Olinger said, "It is a daring, very interesting proposal. There are still a lot of questions to be answered."

A group of neighborhood representatives got a presentation on Saturday.

"It's really big," said Marsha Rummel, president of the Marquette Neighborhood Association, adding that the height far surpasses recommendations in the East Rail Corridor Plan.

"I think for some in the neighborhood it will be a nonstarter, for others I don't know. I don't know if it will ever look like his initial vision. We want to work with him."

The proposal offers a unique prism for Madison to consider how it wants to look in the future, Cieslewicz said. "That a very important discussion for the city to have," he said.

A California native and UW- Madison graduate who played some football for the Badgers, Brink has spent most of his professional career as a real estate consultant and landlord.

Brink, who has gotten involved in redevelopment in recent years, is now transforming the former Buy and Sell shop, 701 E. Washington Ave., into what promises to be a trendy entertainment venue with bars and restaurants.

The city recently chose his $22 million, Victorian-style proposal for housing, retail and parking on the city-owned Buckeye surface parking lot on the 200 blocks of Gorham and Gilman streets, near State Street. •

Stockholm and NYC Along with major investors Jim and Marlene Corb, Brink bought most of the Mautz Paint block for $3.3 million in the fall of 2002. He is seeking to secure a small property at the corner of East Washington and Brearly Street.

Brink said he has thought deeply about bringing life and style to the site. He said he is influenced by the architecture of Stockholm, Sweden, and Central Park West in New York City.

The potential for linking the development to city attractions by streetcar became clear after traveling with Cieslewicz and others to explore the transportation system in Portland, Ore., last year, Brink said. Cieslewicz wants streetcars in Madison but it's uncertain if, or when, it will happen.

Despite its cost and scale, Brink is confident he can finance the project and attract tenants. Any request for TIF subsidies would meet city policies, he said.

Joe Gromacki, city TIF coordinator, said the project could generate about $40 million that could be used to aid development or pay for public improvements.

The city, however, doesn't use TIF to support hotels or offices anymore, and the project's "vertical retail mall" is a risky venture the city might be reluctant to support financially, Gromacki said.

But Brink may merit city support because his project would produce jobs and not just housing in a blighted area, Cieslewicz said.

Under the proposal, the five-story Mautz Paint building at East Washington Avenue and Paterson Street, designed by the noted Prairie School architect Alvan Small, would be preserved and all other structures on the block would be demolished.

Vintage brick from another building on East Main Street would be donated to the Central Park project. •

Candle in the cake The architecture, with varied heights, allows for dynamic, stylish rooftops and outdoor balconies and spaces unique vistas, Brink said.

The 570-foot-tall office- condo tower far exceeds city and state height laws, but it may be time for the city to choose places to grow up and enhance its bland skyline, which resembles a flat-topped cake from a distance, he said.

Cieslewicz said he would oppose any significant intrusion into the height limit because the Capitol dome "is an important symbol to the city and state of Wisconsin."

The building, coupled with developer Gary Gorman's $80 million, 10-story condo and retail project across the street, would actually enhance the gateway, Brink said.

The office space means jobs, Brink said. After a project under construction on Capitol Square and another big building on West Washington Avenue are filled, it will be hard to lure major businesses Downtown, he said.

"I don't see where we're going to put another office building Downtown," he said. "This says, 'Here's a corporate headquarters for a company.' If we don't built it, it's going to the suburbs."

The 240- and 80-room hotels, which would feature one or more ballrooms with stunning views, complement Downtown facilities and would help Monona Terrace attract more events, he said.

And the array of shops and eateries - perhaps with a restaurant high in a tower - would offer a destination for residents and visitors, especially in winter, he said.

The parking garage provides needed space for Breese Stevens Field across the street and the Central Park only blocks away, and offers park-and-ride opportunities for workers, he said.

For cyclists, the project would provide bicycle lockers, showers, repair and other amenities that would promote bicycle commuting. "Nobody is really embracing bicycles," he said. All of the workers, hotel guests, commuters and shoppers would boost business on nearby Williamson Street, a short walk away, and on State Street, a quick, fun trip by streetcar, Brink said.

"I like the fact that he's chosen to be visionary," said Ald. Judy Olson, 6th District. "Curt Brink didn't take the easy route by proposing housing. He has recognized that the city needs to concentrate on economic development."

But she added, "There will be a lot of concern expressed about the size of the building. And there's a need for a discussion about whether this is the right place for this kind of intense development." •

Gateway's rebirth Brink's proposal continues a remarkable rebirth for the city's main gateway to the Capitol.

The city is amid a $60 million reconstruction of the street, and Breese Stevens Field will undergo a $1 million facelift this summer.

Besides Gorman's $80 million development, Todd McGrath is proposing the $75 million Union Corners project on the 2400 block of East Washington and Peter Frautschi a $23.5 million project farther toward East Towne.

Archipelago Village "can be very positive for the city," Brink said. "It can help set a tone."
Contact Dean Mosiman at dmosiman@madison.com or 252-6141.

[ReddAlert]

great article...I really hope this is built! It sounds like a pretty good thing for the city in my opinion. Plus its a 570 footer....which is cool in itself. Im all for it.

[Jason]

Madison's skyline would look like this ...........I..............

This thing is way too big for this city. I think it's needs to be toned down, a lot.

[Jason]

I'll be going down to check out the model and renderings this week. I'll take pictures (if allowed) and post them here, or I'll link to them on my site.

Speaking of my website? Ayone interested in gaving me a hand with it? Send me an email (jason@madison-architecture.com) if you are (no programming skills required).

[ReddAlert]

yeah, it would stick out like a huge sore thumb...but the thought of having a sore thumbs that big in Madison is enticing. If they build it..the skyline would look out of balance...however to do it, they would have to can the height limit restrictions. If they do that, would we see more proposals for taller buildings? Its a tough choice, because I do like the Skyline right now--having the Captiol bldg rising above the Isthmus.

what kind of help do you need btw?

[EastSider]

I'm home in Madison right now and looking at the article for Archipelago Village.

There is no way in hell this proposal will be passed for so many reasons. Height restriction is a huge issue to try to take on, the TIF amount hasn't been requested yet, it's unknown how high that is going to be. Including only 32 units of condos on a project in this scale is just stupid. (considering it's a mix-used project, 2 hotels? please.)

The article in the paper shows a detail model of the proposal, and it's mind-boggling in size and density. The architecture on the proposal is dissapointing, with the idea of creating that central park in Madison, could the architecture be copying New York's anymore? Something like this won't be passed in Madison anytime soon, however the developer would be smart to propose the project at its current gi-nourmous state, he knows it's going to be scaled down, and then hopefully passed. I'd like to see the project completed if it's scaled down (especially in height).

That tower would only be 40 feet shorter than the US Bank in Milwaukee. It might be fun to see a height-war begin between Milwaukee and Madison, but I just don't think it fits in the realm of current Madison projects.

We'll see...

[Jason]

I'd like to see it scaled down to include 3 or 4 different towers, ranging from 10-14 floors, with 2 to 3 of the towers lining E. Washington Ave. just across from the tower going up across the street at the Don Miller dealership.

ReddAlert: I'm looking for someone to help me add and maintain content, promote, brainstorm with me for ideas, etc. If I ever make any advertising revenue, it would become a paid position.

[JT-MI]

Actually, look on the bright side. If it is allowed to go through, it may be the kick-off to a series of high rises in Madison. Eventually, the skyline won't look like .....I..... (I liked that, by the way...)

[milwaukeeunseen]

I highly doubt this guy could make such a huge proj