[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6463494,"mediaKeyId","5785451-18c908b290b2408a0c97273fbd786dc2","parentId",5785451,"title","Plan commission clears Butler Plaza redevelopment, approves demolition and 11‑story mixed‑use project with affordable housing bonus","audioSeconds",1576,"startMs",6236000,"endMs",7812000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785451-18c908b290b2408a0c97273fbd786dc2&start=6236&end=7812","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785451-18c908b290b2408a0c97273fbd786dc2/thumbnail_6236000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6463494/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Plan-commission-clears-Butler-Plaza-redevelopment-approves-demolition-and-11story-mixeduse-project-with-affordable-housing-bonus","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463494-6bea62de99a6c32e0ca1a231f7886347/orig.mp4?Expires=1775617853&Signature=JvlVjTEgoQ9YxkRMHKriFUq6GeiDd2m~NtV-uC4VaaFEDCpNGXQfxWCLDJ5vdaGLlIYov7IiZfr6Z6eJcRofZP12jgV4AW2q6KELc3lylVpXFTLlU3snlYw5YKwkpCLnFSV-aZ5HaN2y8gwYUtPlQV-ChCxEEzK4p6e48xiLV6xH8KHb3CxRyhzC~V8wwIYsFVhqNzMC8E7w61T9YRGbN5rcaBDXPQpm1e1cnOMmExKyzufbfHkFvbY8truiIXKEWmhOKw7A~f32MNNVmOysSRgEAj07MwLYQI7BJ4-cRTwWj4Io81PNPpeyeoYV-1TPQDEvd5cnjiw5fvoUVc7Jmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Madison, WI","date","2025-09-16T13:15:00Z","article","The Madison Plan Commission on Sept. 15 approved a package of actions to allow demolition of an existing commercial building at 302 East Washington Avenue and to authorize an 11‑story, 76‑unit mixed‑use replacement building that would adjoin Butler Plaza.

Applicant representatives said the proposal would replace the two‑and‑a‑half‑story building (known locally for housing Capital Fitness) and the small Eisenberg Law Office site with a mixed‑use building containing roughly 9,000 square feet of commercial space at the base and 76 residential units above, two levels of underground parking (accessed through the existing Butler Plaza parking), and a roof‑level tenant amenity facing the Capitol. The applicant is seeking two extra stories under the downtown height map and an additional bonus story tied to an affordable‑housing land‑use restriction agreement (LURA).

The plan commission considered four related requests together: a demolition permit for 302 East Washington (Landmarks had determined the structure has historic value but is not architecturally or culturally significant — category B under the city’s updated demolition code), a rezoning into a plan development (PD) general development plan and implementation plan, a conditional‑use approval to exceed base height limits by two stories (to reach 11 stories with the affordable‑housing bonus), and a certified survey map to adjust lot lines within the Butler Plaza property.

Architect Dwayne Johnson and project team members described the design, underground parking strategy and streetscape improvements. The project would retain vehicle access through the existing Butler Plaza circulation (no new curb cuts), reconstruct the plaza and add landscaping, a fountain and a shaded seating area intended to serve residents and restaurant patrons. The team said the project received early approval from the Urban Design Commission and that the materials emphasize masonry with an accent metal ribbon and large glazed commercial frontages.

During the Landmark Commission review, staff and commissioners noted the Capital Times history associated with the site. Preservation advocates asked the plan commission to require photographic documentation before demolition. Lynn Bjorkman, a speaker at the Plan Commission hearing, urged a measured photographic and drawing record “prior to demolition” to preserve the building’s story and to align with Madison’s historic‑preservation plan. Project representatives said exterior and interior photography would be straightforward and that they were willing to provide photographic documentation; they expressed reluctance about producing measured archival drawings given the building’s altered interior.

Members discussed affordable‑housing commitments available under the downtown bonus program. The applicant said the affordable bonus would be delivered through a land‑use restriction agreement and that, under the applicable ordinance, 50% of the bonus floor’s area would be subject to the LURA; that equates to roughly three to four units reserved at the required income level (the ordinance references area set aside at a specified AMI). The applicant confirmed the typical mix of studio, one‑bed and two‑bed units and that two levels of below‑grade parking would provide 16 vehicular stalls plus bike parking in the basement levels.

The planning commission voted to approve the demolition permit (motion by Commissioner Heck, second by Commissioner Solheim), forwarded the PD rezoning to Common Council with a recommendation for approval (motion by Alder Yeager, second Alder Field), approved the conditional‑use height bonus (motion by Alder Ugare, second by Alder Glenn), and recommended approval of the certified survey map (motion by Commissioner Solheim, second Alder Ugare). The demolition motion carried with no objection after the applicant agreed to photograph the building exterior prior to demolition; other approvals were recorded as unanimous by the commission.

Ending: The approvals forward the project to the Common Council (rezoning and CSM) and to permit processing; the applicant will record the LURA terms for the bonus story and work with city staff on conditions of approval and permit details including the photographic record for demolition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Plan Commission: Meeting of September 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Madison Plan Commission approved demolition and zoning actions Sept. 15 that clear the way for an 11‑story, 76‑unit mixed‑use building to replace the Capital Fitness building at 302 East Washington Avenue and to expand the Butler Plaza PD.","taxTitle","Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",2852,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463498,"Plan commission approves combined Blackhawk Middle and Gompers Elementary replacement despite concerns about parent drop loops",2958,2894000,5852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785451-18c908b290b2408a0c97273fbd786dc2&start=2894&end=5852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785451-18c908b290b2408a0c97273fbd786dc2/thumbnail_2894000.jpg","/articles/6463498/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Plan-commission-approves-combined-Blackhawk-Middle-and-Gompers-Elementary-replacement-despite-concerns-about-parent-drop-loops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463498-62027a21ebc76114e34c769220839fba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775617853&Signature=isq5vIrTjbOVnmkqwJ22Eg4oYMDH3YIS8x~7oVGQg-2rQNbyJ4KCDiMnzU3aQmZ6URZgf6JL9jubig2iR56rqmMUgFF5cLWOvP48QNAeKacYPtaGEa1yPcves3ImT7zaYomi2ewQWIe5cLclTFIUv~cNAuU4vOly9T1Xq1GSnp075B-LL~EndScocKhSSS0edF0uvNUjFTfMFPwEo7Bs5gDH-S26TIvdZNYN3L9rHacXObjQC3JDFjg8BAk4IvlxGI7~C7BIbKs0kU~ek0XOCy3OHfv54okaDCbVfXfwmDBwIIYLA2jQL6H~GPokl8PApGynDLhY~sNHIGc7VUb-Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison Plan Commission on Sept. 15 approved two conditional uses to permit construction of a combined middle and elementary school building to replace Blackhawk Middle School and Gompers Elementary School at 1402 Wyoming Way. The approvals clear the schools to proceed to final design and coordination with the city’s public‑works and traffic engineering staff, subject to the conditions in the staff report.

Planner Ernest (staff) summarized the project and timeline, saying construction would begin in early 2026, the existing building would remain open while the new building is built, and the district expects to request demolition in late 2027. The proposed project site plan places the new building more centrally on the lot, with separate access patterns: elementary access and parent drop‑off from Wheeler Road (a city collector street) and middle‑school access, including a parent loop and a bus loop, from Comanche Way/Wyoming Way.

Why it matters: the site design aims to separate school buses from parent cars and provides separate drop‑off loops for the elementary and middle‑school programs. Commissioners and registrants pressed the applicant on whether that design would increase vehicle circulation on school property, induce more driving, and create pedestrian conflicts — questions that bear on pedestrian safety and multimodal access in a largely residential neighborhood.

Matt Haas, representing the district, and architect team members described the two parent drop loops and a dedicated bus loop, explained phasing to keep the existing school open during construction, and said traffic engineering reviewed and supported the layout because it reduces queuing on public streets. Architect Susan Bowersox said the design uses the site topography so both school entrances enter at grade; the middle‑school entry sits lower on the hillside and the elementary entry faces Wheeler Road.

A public registrant, Nicholas Davies (District 15), opposed the design’s parent drop loop, saying such loops “induce demand” and “create a feedback loop where parents show up earlier and earlier to idle their cars on school property and jockey for a position at the head of this line,” and argued some cities limit street frontage traffic in front of schools to create safer spaces for walking and biking.

Commissioners asked for details on sight distance, queuing length, anticipated vehicle counts and pedestrian accommodations. Project representatives said the design includes separate bus and parent loops, queuing length assumptions based on a typical 15‑minute drop‑off window, and that traffic engineering recommended curb, marking and crossing improvements at nearby intersections. The applicant said sidewalks are planned adjacent to drop lanes so students who exit vehicles step onto a sidewalk rather than cross active lanes; public‑right‑of‑way improvements such as a pedestrian refuge in Wheeler Road were described as items traffic engineering would specify in final design.

After discussion, Alder Glenn moved to approve the two conditional uses and found the approval standards were met; Commissioner Nicole Schollheim seconded. The motion passed by roll call with eight ayes and one no (Commissioner Wisniewski voted no), and the report record notes the approval is subject to the staff report conditions, which include traffic‑engineering conditions and other site‑improvement requirements.

Ending: Staff and the district will finalize design details, coordinate required right‑of‑way improvements with traffic engineering, and address pedestrian crossing treatments identified in the staff conditions before final permits are issued.","The Plan Commission approved conditional uses to allow construction of a combined Blackhawk Middle School and Gompers Elementary School, with commissioners and public raising concerns about car drop loops and pedestrian/bike safety; approval carried with one dissenting vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6463502,"Madison plan commission recommends 2025–2030 Park and Open Space Plan with bike-parking mention added",2165,458000,2623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785451-18c908b290b2408a0c97273fbd786dc2&start=458&end=2623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785451-18c908b290b2408a0c97273fbd786dc2/thumbnail_458000.jpg","/articles/6463502/Madison/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Madison-plan-commission-recommends-20252030-Park-and-Open-Space-Plan-with-bike-parking-mention-added","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463502-ae59a87309fd89579bc2cccb002f4294/orig.mp4?Expires=1775617853&Signature=gfYitK3HGGlhjihxTFVp1O2iy2HvBF3RmvZ1BjEwp30ILfekOVtGiIMqlVgycUr7lA39aVM2sfYVFvyxurNlgP~o2RnNukH6mcB8ra5JVjG8Cs28wG3C-lDilFnyWh1KUznvY8aJHsr02TM2nbNir9Cd~sZja203J~krLl7xFDlxORa~kCNp1dIecSwz5o4fVjqStcJ0pXLYimqCxgdEo34XokH3YwcqsbI5Bd6MNGrKe9ovUWegDOiUkA0EWU6KQ-VuGO-230uAWOQNO5MWiD9muyWXzyZBL9IVaquuBT~BclsnFKZcXuRCoL8-GrGpcs~9Xa~HE9BuFy5JhZTNTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madison Plan Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to recommend adoption of the 2025–2030 Park and Open Space Plan as a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan, with a friendly amendment to include an explicit reference to bicycle parking in the park development tables.

Interim Park Superintendent Lisa Lashinger, who led the presentation, told the commission the plan is the parks division’s five‑year strategic guide and “we are required to have an adopted park and open space plan in order to participate in state and federal grants.” She summarized the plan’s inventory, engagement work and recommended strategies, saying the city manages about 5,700 acres across more than 295 parks and that public input emphasized maintaining safe, welcoming spaces and balancing maintenance of existing facilities with new development.

The plan’s nut graf: the document aligns park policy with the City of Madison comprehensive plan and regional efforts, prioritizes connectivity, environmental resilience and inclusive programming, and crystallizes funding and partnership strategies the parks division says are necessary to meet growing demand.

Lisa Lashinger told commissioners the plan draws on two years of public engagement, including a mailed UW‑generated random survey, targeted BIPOC outreach, youth focus groups, open houses and a final public comment period in summer 2025. She noted demographic trends highlighted in the plan, including a projected near‑50% growth in residents 65 and older by 2040, and emphasized the plan frames strategies around the city’s seven comprehensive‑plan elements (land use and transportation; neighborhoods and housing; economy and opportunity; health and safety; culture and character; green and resilient; effective government).

A member of the public, Nicholas Davies of District 15, registered in opposition, urged the commission to include explicit bicycle‑parking requirements. Davies said he was “kinda surprised to not find any mention of bike parking,” recounting an experience at Monona Park where bike racks had been removed and saying omission risks treating bike parking as an optional “nice to have” rather than a default facility.

In response, Lashinger said bike parking is treated as a park furnishing considered during site planning and typically accounted for in equipment budgets: “We do consider bike parking to be bike, to be furnishings, and the cost is significantly less than installing a parking lot for vehicles.” She also confirmed there is no citywide parking minimum for bike parking in the Parks and Recreation (PR) zoning standard and that the zoning administrator currently evaluates bike‑parking needs case by case.

Commissioners discussed options for how the plan should reflect bike‑parking standards. Commissioner Heck suggested adding language to stress bike parking without prescribing a complex minimum formula. Commissioner Solheim proposed a friendly amendment to list bicycle parking as an amenity in Table 3.2 (the park amenities table). The mover and second accepted the amendment. The commission then voted, with no objections, to recommend adoption of the plan as amended; the motion was made by Alderfield and seconded by Alder Ugare.

The plan now proceeds to the Board of Park Commissioners (the lead body), and is expected to return to the Common Council for adoption; staff said the council is likely to adopt the plan in October, subject to further review and any changes from the Park Board or council deliberations.

Ending: The Park and Open Space Plan includes recommended actions, funding analysis and an implementation schedule that parks staff said will guide capital decisions, operations and partnerships over the next five years. Staff said they will return to the Board of Park Commissioners before the document reaches the Common Council and that they will work with zoning staff if the commission or Council requests more specific standards for bicycle parking.","The Madison Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend adoption of the 2025–2030 Park and Open Space Plan as a supplement to the city comprehensive plan after staff presentation and a public comment calling for explicit bicycle‑parking language; commissioners accepted a friendly amendment to add bicycle parking to a development table.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Plan commission clears Butler Plaza redevelopment, approves demolition and 11‑story mixed‑use project with affordable housing bonus

Plan commission approves combined Blackhawk Middle and Gompers Elementary replacement despite concerns about parent drop loops

Madison plan commission recommends 2025–2030 Park and Open Space Plan with bike-parking mention added