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The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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City commission approves Logan’s courts, library plan

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Renovation plans for the Madison Central Library pass another hurdle after approval from the commission.[/media-credit]

A city committee unanimously approved plans for a downtown bar’s addition of an outdoor volleyball court during the summer and OK’d the relocation of the Central Library at a meeting Monday night.

The city’s Plan Commission gave Logan’s bar a final nod of approval to begin construction of its outdoor sand volleyball courts next to their already existing patio. The bar also received permission to vend alcoholic beverages on the courts at a separate city meeting last week.

Logan’s general manager Adam Mais said the two courts will be open during the summer for league play able to incorporate up to 128 teams. The courts would operate during the day in order to utilize natural light. They will hold a foot of sand and be visible from the patio so patrons can watch games.

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This is Logan’s’ second summer of operation, and the first creating a volleyball league. Mais said people have been expressing interest in volleyball league play, and Logan’s can now begin sign-ups.

“It gives kids something to do this summer,” Mais said. “For us to have volleyball, it’s one more place downtown.”

Mais said he hopes the courts will attract customers for food and drinks during games.

He said between games, Logan’s is considering selling picnic dinners to be eaten on the sand of the courts.

“You can’t really do that here. You go to some of the beaches in town, there’s really not sand,” Mais said. “And you’ve got the patio right there too. Our patio’s one of the best patios downtown by far.”

The courts will replace several parking spots on the property, reducing total customer lot parking to five spaces. Mais said it is not a concern because a large portion of the customers walk or park in downtown parking ramps.

The Plan Commission also unanimously approved the relocation of the Central Library during the several months the structure will be under renovation.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the Plan Commission’s approval reflected the opinions of many other Madison citizens, including architects who reviewed the Central Library plans for the Urban Design Commission.

Verveer said the Central Library designers are pursuing the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification.

The certification requires the construction to include sustainable strategies such as water-saving fixtures, construction waste recycling and recycled content of materials, according to a statement from Potter Lawson, Central Library’s design firm.

Verveer added while Mayor Paul Soglin has been concerned about funding for the project, he has gotten mostly positive feedback from residents, including those who wish there was more money to fund the redevelopment.

“It’s long overdue, improvement to that really heavily used building. I think it’s a really terrific design and it’s really functional as well,” Verveer said.

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