Redevelopments in the District, Landmarks Ordinance Review public meetings, events and announcements

Hello neighbors,

If you missed the neighborhood presentation on the redevelopment proposed at the Smoky’s location, you can review the recording at your leisure. During the presentation, there was a question regarding some dimensions, which the developer and architect didn’t have readily on hand. Here is the information: the total residential area is 59,060 sq.ft., and the commercial space is 1,340 sq.ft. You can also review the preliminary presentation that was given to the Urban Design Commission in December. This proposal will officially be going before the Urban Design Commission on February 23 at 4:30pm. The demolition permit will be requested at the Plan Commission meeting on February 21 at 5:30pm. As always, these are public meetings, and you may provide comments via written testimony in advance, or in real time at the meeting.

Also, the affordable housing project at the Don the Car Care Man property on University Ave. has had to redesign their parking area, due to additional information about storm water drainage. As a result, this proposal is once again going before the Plan Commission, also on February 21.

The proposed development at the former Stop-N-Go on Speedway has not yet been submitted to the City for consideration, so no records are yet available in legistar. The recording of the neighborhood meeting is available.

The Landmarks Ordinance Review Committee, of which I’m a member, has finished the preliminary work of trying to simplify and consolidate our landmarks ordinances. The Wisconsin State Journal did a nice summary of this effort. The upcoming public meetings, which will affect, among others, the University Heights Historic District, are planned for:

• Thursday, February 3 at 6:30pm – all districts, general public meeting
• Monday, February 7 at noon – development professionals and contractors
• Thursday, February 10 at 6:30pm – new construction information

My colleague, Alder Figueroa Cole, provided an excellent summary of City processes regarding engineering projects in her most recent blog. I may refer to this summary again as the University Avenue reconstruction project begins this summer.

Events & Announcements

The Landlord and Tenant Issues Committee is discussing rent abatement at its meeting on Thursday, January 20 at 5pm:

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment

On Thursday, January 20, 2022, all are invited to a virtual screening of the short documentary “Not Homeless Enough” hosted by Madison Public Library, and presented by the Doubled Up Work Group (Homeless Services Consortium). The 10-minute film will be introduced by filmmaker Diane Nilan and Senator Melissa Agard, and the screening will be followed by a community conversation.

You are invited to see preliminary designs for the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, 6-8 p.m., January 27, 2022, via Zoom. Registration is required in advance. Community members are invited to share comments, ask questions and engage fully with the City on the proposed preliminary designs.

The First issue of the Vision Zero Quarterly Newsletter is now available. This first issue covers the broad topic of Vision Zero and how the City is integrating safety measures and practices into Madison’s communities, visitors and businesses daily lives.

Women in Focus, Inc. is offering scholarships for college-bound seniors and adult learners. The application deadline is February 15.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver