Common Council

Hello and updates from Alderman Syed Abbas

Hi everyone,

This is my first blog post as District 12 Alder. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you. I look forward to working with you all.

I'm including several neighborhood updates below:

Sherman Plaza Inc.

Knothe & Bruce Architects are working with the Bruns family, planning to submit a Land Use application for a multi-family development at 2830 Dryden Drive. The conditional use approval permit is proposed for a 27 unit, 4-story apartment building. They are also requesting approval for the demolition of the existing one-story office building that is currently located at 2830 Drive. 

I am planning to organize a neighborhood meeting on May 28th. I will send the invite to surrounding neighbors and will send emails to neighborhood associations and subscribers. Please stay tuned for the meeting date. 

Oscar Mayer

The city is in the process of negotiating buying 15 acres of land on the northeast side of the Oscar Mayer site, towards Aberg Avenue for the purpose of the Bus Barn. The transportation department allocated $32 million to purchase and develop the site. Midwest Clay is signing a lease with the Oscar Mayer site, with plans to use part of the long warehouse facing towards Packers Avenue.

On May 6th, I had a meeting with the developer and expressed my support for a bike path running through the Oscar Mayer property. The developer is willing to work with us to discuss possibilities to connect Demetral Park and Aberg Avenue to help make the Oscar Mayer site more welcoming and walkable.

The Special Area Plan will start soon and will be finished approximately end of this year. I want to make sure we review the site as a holistic opportunity for the north side and I want to see a development which benefits the surrounding neighborhood. You can find more information on the project at https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/oscar-mayer/2614/

3040n and 3046 Commercial Avenue Multi Family Project 

A local developer wants to develop two vacant lots at 3040 and 3046 Commercial Avenue into two 8 unit apartment buildings. The developer has already been in touch with the Eken Park Neighborhood Association (EPNA) and also with the city. The project is in the very early stages and once the project moves to the application phase I am planning to organize a neighborhood meeting. Please stay tuned on this project's development. 

6th Street Development Project on East Washington

Red Caboose Daycare and Movin Out are developing a 4-story building on 6th Street and East Washington, across from Union Corners. The building will be used by daycare services (where they will provide affordable daycare services) and affordable housing. The neighborhood meeting to discuss this project is scheduled for June 12th. Emerson East and Eken Park neighbors who are living across the road can see the building and I want to make sure their voices will be heard. They will get the meeting invite in the mail in early June. Please stay tuned for more updates and the location of the June 12th meeting.

if you have further questions about these projects, please feel free to follow links provided or reach out to me via district12@cityofmadison.com or via my cell at 608-572-6984.

Thank you.

Alder Syed Abbas