Park Edge/Park Ridge Neighborhood Employment Center

After a several years delay, we are happy to announce that the work to convert the former Griff’s Restaurant into the Park Edge/Park Ridge Neighborhood Employment Center has begun. Below, please find project information.

Alderperson - Barbara Harrington-McKinney
Center Operator - Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM) – Ruben Anthony and Ed Lee
Architect – Dorschner Associates: Diana Dorschner, Dawn O’Kroley
Contractor – Amigo Construction: Wensy Melendez
Community Development Division (CDD) Staff - Jim O’Keefe, Laura Noel, Lana Wood
Engineering Staff – Jeanine Zwart

Building Information: This commercial building, built in 1993, formerly housed Griff’s Restaurant. The property is located at 1233 McKenna Boulevard near Elver Park and is approximately 3,882 square feet. The property was purchased by the City in 2016 for use as a Neighborhood Employment Center. The City selected the Urban League of Greater Madison to operate the Center. The City will own the building.

Remodeling Features: The interior of the building will be remodeled to include a large, divisible meeting room, computer lab, small meeting room, comfort room, self-serve kiosks, warming kitchen, reception area, staff offices and fully accessible restrooms. The exterior of the building will be re-sided and reroofed, and existing windows will be replaced. Accessible parking stalls will be added. Low maintenance landscaping will be installed around the perimeter of the building.

There will be 34 parking stalls at the Center. There will also be 15 bike-parking stalls. The center is located on a bus line.

Four public neighborhood meetings, held with Alder Harrington-McKinney, the ULGM, City CDD and Engineering staff, and other local service providers, offered neighborhood residents opportunities to inform decisions regarding programming and design of the space.

Facility Operator: The City selected the Urban League of Greater Madison to be the facility operator and they have been operating out of nearby temporary quarters, with City assistance.
The City, the Urban League of Greater Madison and Exact Sciences have entered into an agreement in which this facility will serve as a venue from which to recruit and train local residents for employment opportunities at Exact Sciences.

The City, the Urban League of Greater Madison and Exact Sciences have entered into an agreement in which this facility will serve as a venue from which to recruit and train local residents for employment opportunities at Exact Sciences.