News

Bus depot likely to be demolished

Proprietor wants to raze building to make way for retail businesses, apartments, parking

The owners of the Badger Bus have made steps toward demolishing the bus depot in downtown Madison to make way for other establishments.

Jim Meier, an owner of Badger Bus, is planning to replace the family-owned bus station with three buildings that will house retail businesses, 84 apartments and underground parking, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.

Meier has hired Knothe & Bruce Architects to design the new facilities.

The depot, which rests at the corner of Bedford Street and West Washington Avenue, serves as a transportation stop for inter-city buses that travel to Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis.

Verveer thinks the plan to replace the bus depot is beneficial to business. Already a majority of the land is used as a parking lot.

“It is a fine plan that would take advantage of the property,” Verveer said. “But it is critical to be assured that it would not diminish convenience for inter-city bus service for students and residents.”

Badger Bus has a stop at Memorial Union, which is used by University of Wisconsin students who use the Badger Bus as a way to commute to the Milwaukee area or Mitchell International Airport.

“Some people utilize Memorial Union as a stop while others do not. It’s possible that the Union is not interested in having more buses on Langdon Street,” Verveer said.

Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. has yet to officially express an opinion about the bus depot. However, the group’s president, Bob Holloway, said he has concerns about demolishing the bus depot because it provides a place to purchase tickets and wait for the bus indoors.

“I have some concerns about relying on either union as the only place you can get tickets indoors,” Holloway said. “The unions are closed during some hours of regulation for the Badger Bus.”

Still, Holloway agrees developing the land will benefit the economy in Madison.

CNI is holding a meeting about the potential demolition of the bus depot Jan. 26 at Capitol Lakes Retirement Center.

Representatives for both Meier and Knothe Bruce Architects of Middleton could not be reached for comment.

Heather Burian contributed to this report.