Opposing sides in the debate over a proposed student housing complex in the Langdon neighborhood argued their respective cases on the proposal in front of a city planning committee Monday.
The project site is part of the Langdon-State neighborhood which is included in Madison’s Downtown Plan, a city initiative aimed at preserving buildings that contribute to local districts on the National Register of Historic Places such as on Langdon.
The new Waterfront development includes renovation on the residences at 140 and 150 Langdon St. and deconstruction of three apartment complexes at 145 Iota Court, as well as 619 and 625 N. Henry St., all of which, with the exception of 140 Langdon St., the NRHP defines as “contributing buildings” to the neighborhood’s history.
Project architect Randy Bruce said the new buildings will not detract from the neighborhood’s unique character.
“[The drawings] show there is a certain rhythm that is established and how this new building is able to maintain that rhythm,” Bruce said.
Neighborhood residents opposed to the plan said the deconstruction of the nearly 100-year-old apartments would cause the neighborhood to lose its status as an NRHP “historic district,” which would deny property owners in the area the tax exemptions they currently receive.
Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, called the argument nothing more than a “threat” and said there is little ground to support it as there has never been a case in Wisconsin in which a neighborhood lost its designation on the NRHP or its tax exemptions due to redevelopment.
The Waterfront Apartments would consist of a 71-unit, six-story building totaling 231 bedrooms, providing parking for residents, a courtyard that opens to North Henry Street and a dual-functioning pedestrian path and fire lane connecting Langdon Lane to Iota Court.
The developers, along with Bruce, said the fire lane would improve safety in the area by increasing access for emergency vehicles.
Emily Erickson, a UW-Madison sophomore and member of Alpha Chi Omega, who lives a block away from the proposed structure, is in strong opposition to the plan and said all 50 members of her sorority living in the house share her opinion.
“We’re really scared that if [Waterfront] comes to Langdon, makes this apartment complex, takes away from the character and makes profit off of it, people will see that it works and it’s successful and they’ll come and just continue to do so because someone already did it and broke the barrier,” Erickson said.
Three plan commission members opposed and five voted in support, which means the development needs a “super majority” of 15 out of 20 possible Common Council votes to receive final approval at the meeting Tuesday, according to Resnick.
