The city’s finance committee addressed Judge Doyle Square development plans and rising concern over emerald ash borers in a meeting Monday.
According to the update, the negotiating team met April 8 with JDS representatives and held a workshop with city staff the week before to discuss planning, parking and the Monona Terrace.
Project developers will likely be ready to present at the Board of Estimates’ next meeting April 22, and board members will address the design framework, a working model and financial framework.
JDS developers are considering delivering a full-service product without necessarily a full-service hotel. Members reviewed an outline of principal terms addressed in a project term sheet and initial finances.
Mayor Paul Soglin also remarked on the good progress of setting the tone of everyone “under the same tent” and innovation of creating a modern-day full-service hotel that addresses the needs of travelers.
“We see some really exciting possibilities here,” Soglin said.
The Board also amended the Parks Division’s operating budget by allowing $365,000 for additional resources for emerald ash borer mitigation and for replacing ash trees in city parks.
Madison resident Caroline Alexander expressed “panic” about the borers in Madison after a meeting with the Forestry Department. Alexander said Madison does not compare well to Milwaukee and the Forestry Department’s three-year plan is “way too slow.”
Soglin mirrored these concerns with the staff’s preparation. However, Madison Gas and Electric representatives said they have been planning since 2007 for the possible infestation.
“We feel pretty confident that we’re putting together a fully responsive plan, emerald ash borer mitigation plan, that balances the long-term and short-term needs of the urban forest,” MG&E representatives said.
The staff plans on chemically treating ash trees of 10 inches or larger, one third of the urban forest, and removing and replanting other trees. The representatives hope to introduce a wider variety of species to prevent widespread problems in the future.
The Board also approved funding a $4,417,000 Tax Incremental Finance loan to assist developing housing and commercial redevelopment on the 800 block of East Washington Avenue.
