City delays decision

by Darryl Schnell

Tuesday, April 19, 2005 00:00

The City of Madison Plan Commission deferred a decision by two weeks to approve the second phase of the Metropolitan Place project on West Mifflin Street Monday.

According to the commission agenda, phase II of the project includes 164 condominium units, 16,000 square feet of commercial space and 320 parking stalls located at 333 W. Mifflin St.

The commission will meet again May 2 and will likely vote to approve phase II of the project, moving it to a final vote by the Madison City Council the following day. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, whose district includes the proposed area, said residents have some concerns about the second phase of construction.

“Many members of the Condominium Association Board want a two-week referral,” Verveer said. “Hopefully we can massage some of their concerns.”

Residents of the first phase of the Metropolitan Place raised concerns about their building’s attachment to the new building and also discussed parking issues, while Mifflin Street Community Cooperative volunteers expressed worries about the possibility of a grocery store in the commercial space.

“I would like to see any construction that would affect the 174 [phase I] homes would not be made without approval from the phase I residents,” area resident Linda Oakley said during the meeting.

Ray White, the architect for the project, addressed concerns about the connection of the phase I and phase II buildings. He assured the buildings would not be connected.

Additionally, Verveer said parking is always a concern for downtown condominiums.

White said a parking structure would provide secure residential and commercial visitor parking.

Jeff Hurtado, phase II project manager, told the commission necessary security measures would be taken with regard to parking.

“Residential parking and commercial parking will be separate,” Hurtado said. “There will also be cameras in the residential lots to ensure safety.”

Amanda Fuller, a Mifflin Street Co-op volunteer, said she was only concerned about one aspect of the proposal — a Metropolitan Place grocery store.

“Putting in a grocery store would threaten two community grocery stores,” Fuller said, referring to the Mifflin Street Community Co-op and Capitol Centre Foods. “It would be a shame to invite another grocery into the area.”

Project developer Cliff Fisher said a grocery store is not required to fill the commercial space.

Verveer addressed the importance of the community co-op and echoed Fisher’s comments.

“Everyone in our neighborhood treasures the Mifflin Street Co-op,” Verveer said. “There is nothing saying there is going to be a grocery store there. I have not heard of any takers for a grocery store lately.”

According to Verveer, the city is not monetarily supporting the phase II commercial space because funding would increase the potential for a grocery store.

Hurtado said he worries about project time constraints.

“My fear is that before we know it, it’s Halloween, and we still don’t have this resolved,” Hurtado said.

Verveer, who suggested the two-week deferral, maintained a confident stance regarding the project.

“We are 95 percent there,” Verveer said. “This … should not be a negative signal to anyone that this project is not going to be approved.”