Madison’s Common Council unanimously approved a new local coffee house’s liquor license along with proposals to expand Cooper’s Tavern, dedicate $10,000 to the low-income bus pass program and continue enforcing the glass ban at the Mifflin Street Block Party this year at a meeting Tuesday.
Alterra Roasters, a popular coffee shop in Milwaukee, will open its first Madison store on the base floor of the historic Tenney Plaza building, located at 110 E. Main St. on Capitol Square.
Common Council approved Alterra’s liquor license, allowing the cafe to serve beer and wine in addition to coffee.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said renovations for the new coffee house have been underway for about two months and the shop is set to open sometime in March.
Also at the meeting, council members approved a request from Cooper’s Tavern to expand its business to the second floor at its current 20 W. Mifflin St. building, increasing its capacity from 79 to 194 people.
Council members also unanimously approved to ban glass from Mifflin Street during the famous annual block party May 4. The policy has been enforced every year for more than a decade, according to Verveer.
In accordance with a recommendation from the board of estimates, the council also approved moving $10,000 from the budget’s Contingent Reserve to expand Metro Transit’s low-income bus pass program.
The program offers discounted 31-day passes to eligible riders, but a limited number of passes are available each month, according to Verveer. He added the newly allotted funds will allow Metro Transit to increase affordable transportation by offering more passes each month.
Council members also heard a proposal from Essen Haus to add a sand volleyball court to the premise and serve alcohol outside at its present 514 E. Wilson St. location.
The request was referred to the council’s March 20 meeting because the plan had not yet been presented at a First Settlement neighborhood meeting, the neighborhood where the bar is located, which is a necessary step for approval.
