Ald. Austin King, District 8, and community and business residents met Monday night to brainstorm ideas for the possible revamp of Regent Street and the surrounding area, ultimately turning out as a forum for attendees.
Unlike most Madison neighborhoods, the Regent Street area has no master plan and no document exists to guide future development in the area.
But Monday's packed meeting, held in the Community Room at the Neighborhood House, 29 S. Mills St., was a chance for local business and property owners to voice their opinions as the neighborhood prepares for the future.
But Monday's meeting was a chance for local business and property owners to voice their opinions as the neighborhood prepares for the future.
'Change is naturally going to happen,' King said. 'And it is not a question of whether it is going to happen, but how it is going to happen.'
According to Madison City Planner Bill Fruhling, a comprehensive plan would outline how people would like the area to be in the future.
'Tonight is a chance to take a look at the strengths of this area and look at the barriers that need to be overcome,' Fruhling said.
But drafting such a plan is bound to take time.
'This is the first of many meetings,' King said. 'There was no plan for what the future growth of this neighborhood is going to look like.'
The area in question stretches from Regent Street, north to Johnson Street, east to Murray Street and west to Breese Terrace.
The plan is to hire a consultant to draft a plan which will then be sent to prospective developers. This will cost $20,000 of city money contingent on $40,000 of non-city money. According to King, fundraising efforts for the $40,000 are nearly complete.
Members of the public who spoke at the meeting had numerous questions and comments concerning the area and local businesses. Topics included pedestrian traffic, utility wires, billboards and surface parking on Regent Street. There were also concerns about the height and density of some of the buildings, as well as the overall appearance of the street.
One UW-Madison student said, 'There is nothing better than going into one of these surface parking lots that everyone hates and having a beer.'
Local resident Rosaline Woodward quickly responded.
'That's OK,' Woodward said, 'just as long as you don't pee in my backyard.'
Chris Beebe, owner of Foreign Car Specialist, 1313 Regent St., expressed his concern over the planning process, which he thought was too strict.
'I just have this picture,' Beebe said. 'And I'm not sure it's a real pretty picture.'
