The future of Madison's cityscape became more concrete Monday night when two major construction projects received approval from the city's Plan Commission. The demolition of the house at 353 W. Mifflin St. and Ogg Hall were both approved on consent. No additional commentary from the projects' respective parties was required by the commission.
Construction of the unnamed dormitory is already underway on Park Street, with the building of the
ew,"" twin-towered Ogg Hall to occur on the open field adjacent to the South East Recreational Facility. University representatives present at the meeting expressed appreciation for their plan's swift and frictionless passage.
""We're pleased and excited,"" said Paul Evans, director of University Housing. ""I think it's a great project for students.""
Though he acknowledged an endorsement by the Plan Commission was necessary in the project application process, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, fully expected the evening's outcome.
""I'm not surprised in the least. ... I was pretty positive this would be a slam dunk tonight,"" Verveer said.
Gary Brown, UW-Madison Director of Planning & Landscape Architecture, echoed both Verveer and Evans' sentiments, attributing the project's success to thoughtful, preliminary committee deliberation. According to Brown, project developers fielded suggestions from students and community members, which led to stone upgrades on the dorm fa??ade and more windows in observance of the Park Street Design Guidelines.
""It's all part of a big plan to redevelop the whole east side of campus,"" Brown added.
The vote on the leveling of 353 W. Mifflin St. was no less surprising to Cliff Fisher of Fisher Development. Fisher is currently overseeing the destruction of the Mifflin St. flat and the subsequent implementation of Phase II of the downtown apartment complex Metropolitan Place. The expansion, whose construction is scheduled for early this summer and is likely to last 16 months, will feature 164 units, an accessory parking structure, a grocery store and retail stores opening onto Broom Street.
""I'm just glad we're moving ahead here,"" Fisher said. ""I couldn't see anyone being against me knocking that building down. ... It was rundown, and not every building needs to be saved.""
The City of Madison Building Inspection Unit has recently written orders against the property for cockroach and mice infestation, water leaks, broken windows and other minor structural defects. Alec Williams, resident of 353 W. Mifflin St. for roughly half a year, was dismayed by the commission's decision and had begun his search for a new residence.
""I'm looking for any spot I can go,"" Williams said. ""I need all the luck I can get.""
