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Plan Commission recommends demolition and rezoning for 16‑story mixed‑use project at Gilman and Francis
Summary
The commission approved the demolition permit for 450 W. Gilman and recommended rezoning, conditional‑use approvals and a certified survey map to the Common Council for a proposed 16‑story mixed‑use building with about 118 apartments; neighbors and the Grama Book Bindery owner urged documentation or preservation due to historic value.
The Plan Commission on Dec. 1 approved the demolition permit for the c.1890 building at 450 W. Gilman Street and recommended that the Common Council approve rezoning two parcels to Downtown Core to allow a proposed 16‑story, approximately 170‑foot mixed‑use tower with about 118 multifamily units and a 16th‑floor outdoor recreation amenity (pool/deck).
Planner Tim Parks summarized staff analysis recommending that the public interest in the proposed increase in dwelling units outweighs preservation of the existing six‑unit building, a Category‑B Landmarks finding indicating historic value but not individual architectural or cultural significance. The Landmarks Commission and Urban Design Commission reviewed the proposal and recommended adjustments to the lower‑level Gilman Street façade to reduce visual intrusion on the adjacent Grama Book Bindery landmark; staff incorporated those recommendations as conditions of approval.
Applicant representatives emphasized design measures: stepbacks, a masonry base, pedestrian‑oriented retail at Gilman Street and an effort to keep mechanicals and rooftop elements within the building mass to respect capital‑view limits. Opponents, including the owner of the Grama Book Bindery, asked the commission to require archival documentation of 450 W. Gilman before demolition and warned construction vibrations and loss of sunlight would harm the bindery and nearby buildings.
The commission approved the demolition permit, forwarded the rezoning to Council with recommendation of approval, and approved the conditional uses and certified survey map to be recommended to Council. Staff included conditions for a detailed management plan and architectural refinements recommended by Landmarks and UDC.
What happens next: Council will consider the rezoning, demolition and CSM. If Council concurs, staff said final design and construction permits will require coordination with landmarks, Urban Design and city engineering.
