The Urban Design Commission voted Wednesday night to initially approve the construction of a new five-story complex at 425 W. Washington Ave.
The building will also serve as an apartment compound and host business offices, a fitness center with a swimming pool and an underground parking structure.
This is the third time the commission has discussed the construction, but the initial approval allows the developers to continue the designing process.
If the plan is approved, Madison developer and Capitol Fitness owner Eric Minton said he plans to start construction in August.
According to Minton, he is not trying to rush the process, but there are “scheduling issues.” He said the many businesses currently located at the West Washington location need to be moved to another location.
Architect David Ferch of Ferch Architecture, who is collaborating with Minton on the project, said the proposal is not in its final form. He added he wants to tweak various aspects of the design, such as railing, lighting and the design of the roof.
“We’re trying to do an exceptional project here,” Minton said.
While the architecture of the building was generally praised by committee members and residents alike, disagreements arose as to whether the building meets the status quo of the neighborhood.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the new building violates the Basset Neighborhood Plan. The plan puts a cap on the height of buildings downtown, not allowing them to stand higher than four stories.
“I don’t have to refresh any of your collective memories that this application that stands tonight is in clear violation of the adopted Bassett Neighborhood Plan,” Verveer said.
According to Verveer, there is a possibility he will support the plan once he hears from his constituents at a Bassett Neighborhood meeting Thursday.
Rosemary Lee, long-term Madison resident who resides in the Bassett area, said she is in favor of the proposed construction.
“I have spoken with several of the drafters,” Lee said. “They all agree that this document was meant to be a framework for the physical redevelopment of the Bassett neighborhood, not cast in concrete. The main priority at the time of the drafting was to preserve existing houses, not to discourage density.”
Multiple community members opposed the new project outright, saying it does not fit with the scale and density of the neighborhood and is in clear violation of the Bassett Neighborhood Plan.
However, Verveer urged the committee to defer the vote so community members had the opportunity to voice their opinion regarding the construction.
Todd Barnett, vice chair of the commission, said he was somewhat reluctant to postpone the vote on the construction.
“It was my understanding that this has been deferred from last time so that the neighborhood could go through the process,” Barnett said. “At what point do we say, OK, how long does it take to schedule a meeting?”
