A city planning committee approved plans Monday for a new apartment complex aimed at student renters on West Dayton Street near Union South.
The proposal calls for the demolition of a current 21-unit apartment building and house at 1323 W. Dayton St. and 1318 Randall Ct. to make way for the 8-story building.
The complex will have 65 apartments, underground parking, bicycle stalls and moped parking spaces, according to architect Randy Bruce.
Owner Jim Stopple, Madison Property Management president, said residents are provided with beds and living room furniture, which will make move-in easier for students.
“We are very excited by this project,” Bruce said. “I think it will be a very good addition to the student neighborhood.”
Additionally, Plan Commission members approved extending Echo Tap and Grill’s hours of service, and increasing the West Main Street Bar’s outdoor patio to accommodate more patrons.
The Echo Tap will now serve food and beverages until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, the patio will be able to hold 50 people, double its original capacity.
“We are trying to make it more of a community space and have our neighbors come in and join us,” owner Katie Bulgrin said.
Some neighborhood residents and commission members said the increased patio capacity will create excess noise.
Evan Rowley, who owns an apartment complex next door to the Echo Tap, said he was not in support of the extended hours because many of his residents are students who are “very serious” about their work.
