Regent Street and the surrounding area could be getting a face lift as Ald. Austin King, District 8, pushes for a development plan that would change the neighborhood for years to come.
A Cardinal reporter strolled down Regent Street Wednesday afternoon as the alder laid out his plans for the future.
Battered street signs, low-hanging power cables, surface parking lots and run-down buildings contribute to King's negative opinion of Regent Street.
'This is very suburban style,' King says. 'Many of the things on this street cater to automobiles instead of to people on their feet.'
An aspect of King's plan for the new Regent Street area, along with fixing up run-down buildings and adding taller ones, is to rid the district of as many surface parking lots as possible.
'They're a complete waste of space and they're really bad for the environment,' he says, referring to the litter in the lots that washes into sewers and then into area lakes.
Roger Charly, owner of Budget Bicycles, has spent 30 years living and working on Regent Street. His five Budget Bicycle Centers are scattered along the street, many adjoined to King's hated surface parking lots.
He says the lots will vanish with time, but that a complete overhaul of the neighborhood is unnecessary.
'I think Regent Street's just great the way it is,' Charly says. 'I'm a firm believer in trying to clean up what's here.'
But parking lots are not King's only problem, and he says 'third world' buildings such as an antique furniture store and a shoe polish business along with 'Soviet-style' housing found on Spring and Dayton streets sap the vitality of the neighborhood.
'We're interested in building something with student housing, mixed uses, lots of interesting things going on and underground parking,' King says. 'It's much better for the environment and a much more efficient use of space, and it's something that serves the neighborhood.'
Chris Beebe, owner of Foreign Car Specialists, has operated his business on Regent Street for 37 years. His aging building, which King says needs to go, was once the Badger Bus Depot.
'I don't think I'll be fancying it up for the appearance of somebody's wish,' Beebe says. 'I think it looks like Regent Street.'
Beebe believes the area has seen enough housing and retail developments. Niches for restaurants and beauty shops have been filled, Beebe says, while high-rise developments such as The Regency have always struggled to fill.
But King is vocal in his support of taller buildings and a comprehensive development plan.
'We need to start talking about managing the growth of this area so that it's reflective of the goals of neighbors, students and businesses in the area,' he says.
With so many changes in mind and constituents to convince, King says Regent Street has the potential to join State Street as once of Madison's favorite pedestrian destinations.
'This is not a pretty street,' King says. 'But it could be.'
