Contested River Place redevelopment wins PIP approval after parking and height debate

The Monona Plan Commission spent the bulk of its March 24 meeting on a contested redevelopment proposal by DSI Real Estate Group for the River Place area, ultimately approving the Phase 1 Precise Implementation Plan (PIP) with numerous conditions after extended discussion about parking, building height and open space.

DSI presented a phased plan to demolish existing office buildings and construct two new multifamily residential buildings with integrated parking and boardwalk access to the Yahara Cove Riverwalk. The applicant’s draft materials described phase 1 as a seven‑story building with ground‑level activation and wrapped parking and phase 2 as a six‑story U‑shaped building. Staff summarized site constraints including a history of Class C office stock on the parcel, a water table and sloped soils, and the project’s desire to integrate with the Riverwalk. The staff report said the developer reduced unit counts and altered massing and materials after earlier pre‑hearing feedback.

Two of the issues central to the commission’s debate were parking and green‑space coverage. Staff’s analysis showed a combined parking deficit relative to zoning standards (the review counted a net shortfall unless surface stalls and on‑street spaces were counted toward the development). The applicant described design changes to increase parking efficiency and noted a plan to build a shared surface lot and wrapped covered stalls; DSI also proposed to maintain and enhance the adjacent boardwalk and cove in perpetuity. Staff reported the site’s open green space would improve from…