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

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…