News & Notes
News and Notes for the Weeks of 6/19/21 - 7/2/21
One of Madison’s most potent development tools ever, which helped change Downtown’s look and image by supporting marquee and modest projects, is leaving a projected $30 million surplus plus $4.9 million for low-cost housing as the city moves to put it to rest.
-Wisconsin State Journal
State Street’s business and cultural center community leaders are protesting the city’s plan to place two large stations to serve bus rapid transit on the city’s most famed thoroughfare that’s still suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice protests.
-Wisconsin State Journal
In what would be the continuation of a surge of investment in Madison’s South Side, the city may spend $1.44 million to buy a small strip mall and adjacent lot in the 1900 block of South Park Street for possible future redevelopment.
-Wisconsin State Journal
With an eye toward future redevelopment in south Madison, the city wants to buy a strip mall on the 1900 block of South Park Street. 
This would be the third property Madison could purchase in recent months using a strategy called land banking, which involves acquiring real estate and holding it for future economic development, affordable housing projects and other city uses.
-The Cap Times
The $148 million Dane County Jail project is getting delayed yet again and could face another redesign as skyrocketing construction costs are expected to push the development millions of dollars over budget.
-Wisconsin State Journal
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi is preparing to rethink the $148 million jail project after consultants warned the county that pandemic-related increases to construction costs could result in budget overruns.
-The Cap Times
Baker’s Place, a proposed 15-story building at 849 E. Washington Ave., had its design approved by the Urban Design Commission on Wednesday night. Gaining UDC approval means the project has cleared the first hurdle of what could be a state-of-the-art green building in downtown Madison.
-The Cap Times
Core Spaces, a national developer of luxury student housing, is making its first foray into affordable student housing through a proposed building on State Street called Oliv Madison, but its model is raising questions among neighborhood residents and affordable housing experts.
-The Cap Times
Madison may be in the midst of its biggest apartment building boom in history. The city’s Plan Commission approved the construction of 4,600 dwelling units in 2020, the most in recent memory, according to city staff.
And more are on the way.
-The Cap Times