A local development company is teaming up with Acacia Fraternity at UW-Madison to plan the renovation of their home and the creation of a new apartment complex nearby.
The Alexander Company plans to revamp the Acacia house at 222 Langdon St. in addition to creating a four-story, 23-unit apartment building called the Vesta Apartments in the parking lot behind the fraternity house.
Dan Peterson, communications director for The Alexander Company, said the 81-year-old home was due for a touch-up, which will be completed at the same time as the construction of the new apartments.
It's a fraternity house, so it's quite old and it's quite beat up,"" Peterson said. ""The same amenities that are going to be included in the new apartments are going to be in the existing house as well.""
Scheduled for occupancy in 2009, the new apartments will dedicate two floors to the fraternity, but Peterson said the remaining units will be available at a competitive market price.
Peterson said the company is currently meeting with neighbors to inform residents of the proposed changes and get input on the plans.
""We really want to educate the neighborhood so that they understand what our intentions are, and they're providing us feedback with what our plans are,"" he said.
Acacia alum Bill Andrae said the fraternity is enthusiastic about the plans.
""We are excited to maintain the fraternity at this location and look forward to this revitalization of the Langdon Street neighborhood,"" Andrae said in a statement.
