The Madison Plan Commission decided Monday to refer the plans of a proposed apartment building on the corner of West Johnson and North Mills streets due to uncertainty surrounding the relocation of two houses the highrise would replace.
The 14-story, 162-unit complex would sit across the street from the Chemistry and Education buildings, putting it in the heart of the UW-Madison campus. The apartment would also be adjacent to the Luther Memorial church, potentially blocking the view of the more than 80-year-old bell tower.
Still, much of the controversy—and reason for referral—centered on the two buildings the proposed building would move. The Conklin House, and another small house—both more than a century old—would be forced from their locations, but members of the project said they are trying feverishly to accommodate the historic homes.
Steve Silverberg of Stevens Construction said more than 1,900 vacant lots of land were looked at as possible re-location spots for the houses. He said the company used a “network approach” and “looked under every rock.”
Despite being impressed with the architecture and overall research put into the project, members of the Plan Commission remained wary throughout the presentation of the project’s inability to find a new place for the homes.
Ald. Lauren Cnare, District 3, said repeatedly that she felt “uncomfortable” with the idea of moving forward with this project. She noted the two houses at 309 N. Mills St. would most likely be destroyed if a new location wasn’t found for the buildings.
Other members agreed with Cnare’s concerns, even though a member of the Frances Wayland Foundation, a co-owner of the land, said the best thing the committee could do is pass this project because they cannot financially support the homes any longer.
Randy Bruce, a Madison architect, said this highrise would stand apart from others going up in the city because the target demographic is research and graduate students.
“It is ideally suited to fill a gap and a need in the campus area,” he said.
The project still has main obstacles ahead of it. One of the other recommendations the members of the commission made was to re-work the height of the building. If it does pass soon, the highrise would be completed in the summer of 2009.
