Plans for 76-unit development in Madison move forward

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Plans for a 76-unit mixed use, multifamily development got an early approval in Madison.

Fond du Lac-based Volker Development wants to build a five-story building at the corner of East Washington and North Seventh Street. The developer must rezone and consolidate several parcels, as well as demolish four houses and a former muffler shop before construction can start.

The city of Madison Plan Commission on Monday approved demolition permits and conditional uses, city planning staff said. The commission also recommended approval for rezoning and a certified survey map, which the Common Council will review on Nov. 26, staff added.

The project, located on a 0.9-acre lot in the Emerson East neighborhood, will feature 260 square feet of commercial space and 61 parking stalls, plans showed. Units will be split into 26 one bedrooms, 34 two bedrooms and 16 three bedrooms.

The commercial building on East Washington Avenue was recently a muffler shop but is now vacant, according to a letter from the developer. The single-family homes were recently used as rental properties and the buildings have become outdated and need major repairs, the developer added.

The project construction budget is estimated around $19.3 million, said Travis Fauchald, the managing director of development at Volker Development. Each unit will be rent- and income-restricted between 30-80% of the area median income, he added.

Fauchald said the firm was confident about its proposal at the next Common Council meeting.

There will be 93 bike stalls included in the project, including garage wall mounts and floor mounts.

The developer hopes to start construction in the spring of 2025 and complete the project in the spring or summer of 2026.

Volker Development, Knothe + Bruce Architects and JSD Professional Services, Inc are the project applicants.