Ambitious plans for a two-phase redevelopment of the Associated Bank, 202 State St., and Jack's Shoes, 204-206 State St., buildings were introduced to the Urban Design Commission Wednesday.
The plans would include an additional fourth floor and redevelopment of the bank building and a possible demolition of its retail neighbor in 2011 when Jack's lease expires.
'The building looks like it's still part of the parking ramp,' said Arlan Kay from Architecture Network, which will oversee the redevelopment.
The proposed design of the Associated Bank building features first-floor office buildings facing State Street.
'Can you think of a better street to have a balcony to see what's going on'? Kay said.
Kay said the refurnishing of the State Street buildings would increase downtown business because of the increase in office and retail space.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the only probable opposition to the reconstruction would be the additional fourth floor on the Associated Bank building. But, he added, 'anything would be better than what's currently there,' and said the building is in sore need of a facelift.
However, since redevelopment plans are so ambitious, Verveer wants to hold neighborhood meetings with the development team to discuss possible changes.
Although the State Street project has been public for only a few weeks, another building redevelopment on 601 W. Wilson Street has been talked about for years. The National Conference of Bar Examiners, which is based in Madison, is looking to stay in Madison instead of moving to the suburbs. They want to expand to accommodate 30 more employees, which will increase capabilities in examinations for the bar throughout the country.
According to member Myra Hajny, the location for the Bar Examiners is ideal because the neighboring Findorff building would complement the new development.
'If we blend in with them it will look really amazing down there,' Hajny said.
The building's renovation has drawn more controversy than the State Street renovation. Since it is located in a residential neighborhood, citizens are concerned about having enough parking. Doug Hersh, who presented the plan for Potter Lawson, Inc., argued that neighbors are leaving the area during the day when employees will be parking there.
'If there is any overflow of parking on the street, it will be a good shared use,' Hersh said.
According to Verveer, the interest in downtown investment comes as a result of a new State Street landmark.
'It shows that the Overture enter is spinning off greater and greater investment in the downtown area,' Verveer said.
