A city committee unanimously agreed to recommend one of three designs submitted for a future building on the 800 Block of East Washington Ave. that will include residential and commercial space, along with a Metcalfe’s Market.
The 800 block development committee favored Gebhardt Development’s plan over the other two, submitted by C.D. Smith Construction and T. Wall Enterprises, based on Gebhardt’s ideas of sustainable development.
Gebhardt’s building proposes a geothermal ground source heat pump, which is less environmentally invasive than traditional heating and cooling practices. Developers also reached out to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for funds to support a rooftop research production farm.
Ald. Lauren Cnare, District 3, added an amendment to the proposal that would ensure Gebhardt follows through with its sustainability plans.
Committee members provided four additional amendments to address their concerns regarding Gebhardt’s plans, including the potential high cost of rental units.
Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, proposed an amendment that would require 45 of the total 262 rental units be priced at a rate affordable for families within Dane County’s 50 to 60 percent income range.
Rummel also drafted an amendment to address committee members’ continuous concerns about a labor dispute within Metcalfe’s Market, which commissioned Gebhardt Developers. Metcalfe’s representatives said at a previous meeting the dispute would be resolved by the time of construction.
UW-Madison Senior Lecturer and committee member Tom Landgraf supported Rummel’s amendment to hold company representatives to their word, and said it will “[encourage] the city to get the developers to agree not to oppose any kind of union organization.”
Committee staff also identified C.D. Smith as the second in line to Gebhardt’s plan as a precaution against reliving a failed previous effort to develop the 800 block. When the city originally tried redeveloping this city block, the first and only contractor fell through, which Landgraf said terminated the construction.
Should C.D. Smith Construction take Gebhardt’s place, an amendment was created that will require its proposal follow the amendments specified at Tuesday’s meeting.
An official resolution will now be prepared for Common Council to review, with the 800 Block committee’s recommendation the Council accept the Gebhardt proposal and approve the amendments.
