Mansion Hill Neighborhood residents, Holy Redeemer parishioners and project developers met Wednesday to discuss the planned conversion of a historic local Catholic school into student apartments.
The project calls for renovations such as turning the first two floors of the building into apartments, according to architect Stephen Mar-Pohl, but developers and church officials are still discussing plans regarding the historic third floor auditorium.
The plan also includes extensive restorations to the Holy Redeemer School, located at 142 W. Johnson St., which has been used as a meeting place for both community and Holy Redeemer church functions since the school closed in 1965.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, acknowledged the importance of the building's historic nature, but supports the project and said “I always think additional student housing options [are] a good thing.”
Eugene Devitt, an area landlord and Holy Redeemer parishioner, said creating student housing in the area would affect the culture of the church.
“You gotta be real careful about what you put up in certain areas,” Devitt said. “It should be used for church uses.”
Project developer Mar-Pohl of Insite Consulting architects said the renovations would “bring [the building] back to life.”
Church member Norman Fuentes said he spoke with many in the latino community who are worried about losing the building as a place for community and church functions.
“If they get rid of it … where's that help gonna be and where's [bible study] gonna go?” Fuentes said.
Developers will present the plan to Madison's Landmarks Commission on March 11.
