Commission approves $200,000 private contribution for Welch Park in economic development agreement

The Madison City Redevelopment Commission approved an economic development agreement dated 02/11/2025 with Riverton LLC that formalizes a $200,000 contribution from the Cotton Mill investors toward construction of Welch Park and adjacent improvements.

Tony, a city staff member, described the agreement as the result of several years of public-private work and said the Cotton Mill investors “have been contributing” to downtown improvements; he said the Cotton Mill had invested “over a million dollars” in recent renovations and that the $200,000 will be used for park construction adjacent to their property.

Ron Bateman, representing the investor group, addressed the commission and said the contribution was motivated by his group’s interest in giving back to the community. “We came back from Alaska to retire, fell in love with life here, and we’re not going anywhere,” Bateman said, adding that the partners were pleased to support park development.

Staff said the parks board and parks department have worked on designs and that the drawings in the packet are at the design-development stage. City staff said the work could be phased if necessary depending on project progress, but the goal is to complete the whole project by early 2026. Staff and commissioners discussed final permitting and park-board review; the commission agreed to sign the agreement at the meeting.

A motion to approve the economic development agreement was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The agreement was dated 02/11/2025 and not given a formal ordinance or resolution number in the packet.