Over the past semester, a countless number of new development projects began popping up across Madison. The city soon found itself at the center of controversy and excitement as the line between new and old Madison continued to grow, despite a nation-wide recession.
The Daily Cardinal took a look at some of the latest developments to hit downtown Madison in the last four months.
Madison is a vibrant younger town looking to encourage projects that can grow resources in the future of the city, said Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8.
""We want to invest in developments that can last decades, but also fit into the priorities and qualities of life we enjoy here in a great city,"" he added.
Upcoming projects include a new apartment complex and pharmacy that will soon replace the former Badger Bus Depot at the corner of West Washington Avenue and South Bedford Street, a newly renovated Peace Park on State Street and a University Square grocery store.
A new Central Library to replace the current building on Mifflin Street and the possible redevelopment of the Edgewater hotel in the Mansion Hill neighborhood are also on the list of new projects.
Serving student needs is part of the reason so many developers are attracted to Madison, said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.
Apartment complexes have maintained strong rental rates, and new buildings fill up quickly despite a slow economy, he added.
""Generally there has been a trend over the years in the downtown,"" Verveer said. ""Ten years ago all the craze was building new office buildings, then the craze was building new condominiums, and now the craze is building hotels.""
The demolition of the Badger Bus Depot began Oct. 8, and over the next year 83 new apartments in three different buildings, as well as a CVS pharmacy, will soon take its place.
""Students like the option of having newer buildings fairly close to campus,"" Verveer said.
If all goes according to plan, the apartment complexes should be filled by August 2010, with the pharmacy opening in January 2010.
Fresh Madison Market, the grocery store currently being constructed on U Square property, also fulfills a student need.
""There is a demand for it,"" Eagon said. ""Especially in this economy, it is an exciting opportunity to invest in the downtown.""
The access to fresh food has a high expectation of being popular among students.
""The access to fresh foods and groceries for students will be a great asset instead of having to travel farther off campus, use a friend's car or wait for your parents to come,"" Eagon said.
The renovation of Peace Park, located on the 400 block of State Street across from Hawk's Bar and Grill, was recently approved with the hope of drawing more visitors.
""For an urban park in a green space in the downtown it's [currently] underutilized in a sense of quality and in a sense of the number of people that use and don't use the park,"" Eagon said.
Construction of Peace Park will begin in January 2010 and continue throughout the summer.
Aside from specific projects such as these, Madison is also going through a master redesign known as the Downtown Plan.
Over the past year, the city government has gone through a planning process to update its 1989 plan, Verveer said.
Yet, the new plans do not come without controversy, especially proposals that could radically change the face of Mifflin Street.
""The city would allow much larger buildings to be built because of deep lots,"" Verveer said. ""I very much oppose any efforts to change the face of Mifflin Street.""
As the Downtown Plan and other developments continue to move forward, Eagon said it is important for students to give their input.
""We're trying to hear from students about their opinions,"" he said.
