The controversial plans for a 44-unit, four-story apartment complex on West Mifflin Street received final approval at Wednesday night's Urban Design Commission. The proposal will now move to the Common Council, which will discuss it March 15.
Architects made modifications to the original proposal to satisfy requests from both the public and city officials. Architect John Bieno said he tailored the building's design to better fit the West Mifflin Street atmosphere.
""There have been a number of refinements which have strengthened the project,"" committee member Richard Wagner said. ""I feel very comfortable with it.""
The building's fourth floor often proved controversial in the design process, leading Bieno to push the floor back from the street as much as possible to make it less visible from ground level.
Committee member Mark Smith said the fourth floor looks more prominent on blueprints and graphics than it will in reality.
""You will really have to go out of your way to see that element,"" Smith said.
A protruding elevator shaft from the original proposal is still a part of the approved design, although it has drawn the ire of some neighborhood residents. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said removing the elevator shaft ""would moderate the tension and conflict in the neighborhood.""
""Overall, this is an excellent proposal,"" Verveer said. However, he said he wishes there could be a further modification to the elevator shaft so he can ""enthusiastically vote for the proposal at the Common Council meeting on March 15.""
The apartment complex proposal has caused controversy among some UW-Madison students, who feel the building does not fit the characteristics of the West Mifflin Street neighborhood.
UW-Madison student Rachel Klaven said despite the modifications, the building does not fit the characteristics of West Mifflin Street homes.
""I think there is going to be a lot of development in the near future on Mifflin,"" Klaven said. ""This building should set a strong precedent to follow Mifflin's characteristics.""
