The planning for Judge Doyle Square is part of a larger effort to form a bold vision for the South-East area of the Central Business District. The planning for this twelve block area (see map below) will place an emphasis on transit-oriented development (TOD), including pedestrians, bikes, buses, and a potential high speed rail station which is anticipated to be located under the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Building at 101 East Wilson Street in the future. The master planning project, which is funded by the City of Madison's successful Federal TIGER grant application, is divided into the following three phases:
- Conceptual development, architecture, engineering, and environmental assessment for Block 105
- Schematic development, architecture, engineering, and environmental assessment for Block 105
- Master planning for the twelve block transit-oriented district
The master planning process had initially included the high-speed rail station as well as a public market, which was to be located on Block 105. Governor Walker's decision to refuse the federal transportation funding, however, has put plans for high-speed rail on hold for the present time. For long range planning purposes, the site will be considered the future location of a high-speed rail station. The planning had also included a public market, for which the project was originally name Public Market Square. Upon further consideration, however, the decision was made to eliminate the public market due to a lack of clarity and consensus on the vision for the market, high cost of construction, and the likely need for long term operational subsidies. The City will continue to explore alternative locations for the Public Market.
Planning studies generally begin at the district level and then focus in on more site specific planning. There are a number of reasons, however, for switching the order in this particular case, and beginning with the master planning for Judge Doyle Square. First, the Government East Park Ramp, which is located on Block 105, has reached the end of its useful life and it no longer makes financial sense for the City to continue to invest in its maintenance and repairs. Over the years, the City has invested substantial sums for the maintenance and repair of the structure. In order to continue to maintain the functionality and safety of the ramp, additional funds will need to be invested.
Second, Downtown Madison needs a full service convention hotel in proximity to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. A recent strategic planning effort by Monona Terrace staff identified a lack of adequate Downtown hotel room blocks as well as parking as a major deterrent to attracting and supporting large conferences and events. The Downtown Madison Hotel Feasibility Study, completed by Hunden Strategic Partners in 2008, identified a need for a large, high quality, full service convention hotel in close proximity and preferably attached to Monona Terrace. This hotel should serve the dual purpose of providing an extension of Monona Terrace as well as being able to attract and support meetings and events on its own. A potential location for the new hotel is Block 88.
Third, due to the importance and on-going need for parking for businesses, government, a potential new hotel, and community events, the construction of the underground parking ramp under Block 88, Block 105, and Pinckney Street becomes a driving factor. In order avoid losing much needed parking during the redevelopment of Judge Doyle Square, the development must be phased so that at no time is there parking unavailable within the area.
Phase One of the Judge Doyle Square Master Plan is focused on the conceptual planning for the underground parking and the future redevelopment of Block 105. Kimley-Horn, and its project partners Potter Lawson and Urban Assets, are leading the Block 105 planning effort. The planning for Block 88 is being undertaken by a public private partnership that includes the City of Madison, Marcus Hotels, and Urban Land Interests and will be complete by October 31, 2011. Both sites have been identified for potential redevelopment in numerous planning studies over the years including the First Settlement District Neighborhood Plan (1995), the Downtown Advisory Report (2004), and most recently the Downtown Plan – Overview and Draft Recommendations (September 2010). The results of the Block 88 planning will be evaluated to ensure they complement and are consistent with the recommendations for Block 105. This Public Involvement Plan (PIP) is for the Block 105 master planning effort. The public involvement phase for Block 88 will occur in early 2012.