Numerous community members attended a meeting Wednesday evening to voice their concerns about the proposed construction of an apartment building at 240 W. Gilman St.
The Urban Design Committee met to discuss the proposal to build a six-story high-rise apartment building there.
The plan proposed the destruction of the Women's Club Building, which contains Avol's Bookstore as well as housing. The plan will also call for the destruction of a parking lot.
The site is surrounded by student housing, a church facility to the north, many small businesses and State Street only a block away.
Nearby residents said they felt strongly about the site because they were not properly notified before project architects created layouts for the new apartment building.
\There are always people coming in wanting to tear down buildings and put something larger in,"" a community resident said. ""What does this say about our traditional neighborhood?""
Attendees said 240 W. Gilman St. has a lot of history and character.
In close proximity to the current building, Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, 220 W. Gilman St., has been approved for plans to be rebuilt. Earl Ricker, representative for the chapel, said the new building would be too close to the newly built church; his concern is that there will not be a 10-foot space between the buildings.
Another concern would be the effect on Avol's. Marsha Rummel, an employee of Rainbow Bookstore, 426 W. Gilman St., said Madison is a book-lover's haven, and to take away a store like Avol's would take away from the community.
""Do we really need another six-story building for student housing?"" Rummel said.
The current building at 240 W. Gilman St. is used for numerous purposes, including the Women's Club Building. It also represents a historical part of Madison.
""I for one will feel shame, not proud, if the building is torn down,"" Rummel said.
Because this building is considered a historical landmark, one proposal was to restore it to its original condition. The current building is made of stucco, covering the original brick, said Gary Tiplor, an advocate for restoration of the building.
""It is a building that is worthy of re-consideration,"" he said.
Due to the major concern about demolishing this building, the Urban Design Committee will take a more in-depth look into the proposed plan.
