MSP pitches dense senior-care campus for Lot 6; requests design latitude for loading area

Brian Woolsey, who said he runs the development department at MSP Development, told the RDA the team's market research initially suggested supporting about 100 active-senior units on Lot 6, but that a campus model combining multiple care types would allow higher density and shared services. "Our first thesis was really that this could be a great spot for active seniors… the market research said that actually, we could only support a 100 units on the site," Brian said, explaining the design trade-offs that led to the campus proposal.

MSP and architect Katie Atrenka described a two‑building approach that separates construction and licensing needs for memory and enhanced care from independent and assisted living, while providing shared amenities such as a central kitchen and rooftop spaces. The design reduces parking demand relative to market-rate housing because senior campuses have lower parking ratios and more staff‑dedicated spaces.

A practical design question before the RDA was a triangular sliver outside Lot 6 where MSP proposed a paved drive to accommodate deliveries and a loading area. Brian said the drive would avoid on‑street truck parking and better serve deliveries for kitchen and facility operations. RDA members raised stormwater, landscaping and precedent concerns, and asked for schedule and example projects. Brian referenced similar campus models in other markets and noted MSP operates multiple senior campuses in Wisconsin.

No member raised an objection at the meeting to MSP designing the triangular area as a loading drive; staff and MSP agreed to continue coordination with planning staff and Jason. MSP will return with more refined diagrams and specifics as the design proceeds through plan review.