The Plan Commission on Dec. 1 recommended that the Common Council approve a high‑rise redevelopment at 425 N. Francis and 450 W. Gilman Street, including a demolition permit, rezoning to Downtown Core (DC), conditional uses for a 16‑story mixed‑use building with 118 apartments and rooftop outdoor recreation, and a consolidated certified survey map.

Staff told the commission that the 1890 circa building at 450 W. Gilman received a Category B finding from the Landmarks Commission: it was recognized as having historic value but was not judged historically significant enough to block demolition. Planner Tim Parks said staff believed the substantial increase in housing units and conformity with adopted downtown land‑use recommendations supported approving the demolition, rezoning and conditional uses, subject to conditions addressing architecture and service operations.

Applicant representatives said they had worked with staff, neighborhood stakeholders and design commissions to reduce visual impacts on adjacent historic resources by stepping down massing near the Grama Book Bindery and improving facade composition. Brian Munson of the applicant team said the project uses downtown height allowances to add floors and will deliver student housing with an affordability element (a set number of beds at a discounted rate). Architect Bobby Tate described design moves intended to reduce visual intrusion: "We wanted the main building lobby to be located off of Francis Street... we stepped the building back away, locating the bulk of the height toward the hub," he said.

Neighborhood speakers urged caution. John Rolling asked the commission to require archival documentation of 450 W. Gilman prior to demolition, saying the building is part of the city’s vernacular history and that the record should be preserved. Rebecca Anderson, owner of the adjacent Grama Book Bindery, said the new massing would be intrusive and risk the small building’s light and condition; she also warned that construction vibration could harm the old structure.

Commission action: The commission voted to approve the demolition permit (item 11), forward the rezoning (item 12) to council with recommendation, approve the conditional uses (item 13) with recommended design conditions from Landmarks and the Urban Design Commission, and forward the certified survey map (item 14) to council. Staff noted that final site‑plan review will address the garage entry, driveway configuration and refuse/management plan details. Several commissioners urged applicants to provide pre‑construction documentation of adjacent historic properties as a best‑practice; staff said documentation by private owners is encouraged but declined to make it a condition of approval.

Next steps: The Plan Commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Common Council; final design and permit approvals will occur through site‑plan review and building permit processes. Staff and the applicant said they would continue to work with landmarks and Urban Design Commission guidance on facade composition and the Gilman Street frontage.

Votes and action: Demolition permit and conditional‑use/residential rezonings were recommended to the Common Council for approval by unanimous consent, subject to staff conditions listed in the staff report.