Construction on the landmark Edgewater Hotel met yet another obstacle after a Madison resident and Edgewater critic announced his decision Wednesday to appeal a ruling that allowed the city to continue redeveloping the historical site.

Fred Mohs, Mansion Hill neighborhood resident, said he would appeal Dane County Judge Juan Cola’s ruling to Mohs’ original lawsuit challenging the reconstruction of the landmark after he believed the City Council had wrongfully overturned a Landmarks Commission decision.

Following Cola’s ruling, Mohs had 45 days to file an appeal. Mohs said he gave his attorney, Dean Richards, the go-ahead to submit a notice of appeal Tuesday evening.

Although the original hearing’s decision was accelerated because of the delays the lawsuit placed on the city’s process, Richards said once the appeal is officially filed, the process would most likely take about another nine months to complete.

Despite the appeal, Richards said Hammes Company, the group heading the project, still has the option to continue with construction. However, if the appeal ruling is in Mohs’ favor, Hammes will have to stop construction immediately and their ability to work in the area will be revoked, Richards said.

Hammes Company President, Bob Dunn, said the company is currently more focused than ever on moving forward with the Edgewater project.

“We’re not concerned with the various tactics Mohs is using to shut down this project,” Dunn said, “It’s just a continuation, a stall tactic.”

With the appeal in place, Mohs said he began a negotiation process with the city and has started talks with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz about possible compromises. Mohs said the city would not hear potential compromises before the appeal was filed.

After a preliminary meeting with Cieslewicz Wednesday, Mohs said he was very excited about the progress they had made, specifically regarding parking in the area. Mohs said Cieslewicz agreed to permit the City Plan Department and Parking Department to do a study about parking in the area surrounding the construction.

“This is a huge step for us,” Mohs said.

Mohs said the area around Langdon Street where the construction would be taking place is a huge parking zone. He said there are just as many issued parking permits in that zone as there are spaces, and many people without permits will need to park there.

Mohs said if the survey shows there is enough parking in the area, he would withdraw that aspect of his complaint. Dunn said he does not feel the compromises Mohs has requested are necessary. He said the Hammes Company is confident in moving ahead with the redevelopment in its current state.

Dunn said Mohs’ appeal is costing Madisonians their jobs and the city millions of dollars in a “disgraceful move.”

“[Mohs] can try to derail the project, but we’ve now had a ruling from a court, a directive from City Council, and we have community support,” Dunn said. “This is one man standing in the way.”