After months of contentious debate surrounding the proposed renovation of the 100 block of State Street, members of the Madison community put forth an alternative plan for the historic area.

The current plan would demolish all or part of several buildings on the block, which some Madisonians have argued would destroy the historical integrity of the area and take away from the block’s identity.

Madison resident Elizabeth Cwik, who spoke about the possibilities that could be pursued through the rehabilitation plan, said compromises can be made to ensure the residents on the block are happy but that necessary renovations are also implemented.

She detailed how each building would be affected by the original plan and how they could be rehabilitated without demolishing some of the authentic buildings.

“These buildings can be beat up a bit over the years because they’ve been student housing, but they’re really quite nice,” Cwik said of the Buell Building, which houses Eye Contact. “The architectural elements are still there.”

Other buildings, such as the Castle and Doyle Building, which houses Shangri La, would remain intact instead of having the Fairchild Street side of the buildings demolished as proposed in the 100 Block Foundation’s most recent plan.

Cwik also said the Fairchild Street side of the buildings in general looks tired and not worth saving to residents around it.

“I want to argue that this block has more life in it,” Cwik said.

She also said the 100 Block Foundation’s plan may endanger the character of State Street. She said the urban plazas the plan intends to create often make it difficult for people to have a coffee, read a book or hang out with friends.

Cwik said rooftop dining on some of the buildings might be a nice solution for the block, as it would beautify the area, which is one reason the 100 Block Foundation wants to renovate.

“The Overture is a fantastic facility, but my vision is to look out from it and see our historic State Street district thrive and grow and be cared for and loved,” Cwik said.

Architecture historian Gary Tipler gave a history of State Street and the 100 block, showing citizens how each proposal could impact the community.

Tipler said State Street was originally created as a shortcut between the original territorial Capitol of Madison and the current Capitol location. He said the commercial end developed near the Capitol first and moved down the street.

Jason Tish of the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation spoke on the history of the buildings of the 100 block and argued on the importance of preserving them.

“State Street thrived through the 1950s and survived suburbanization in the 1960s and ’70s,” Tish said. “This is a success story, where many downtowns have been decimated in the ’60s and ’70s and have not recovered quite as well.”

Tish said the State Street district has a history of walkability and authenticity, which lends to its identity as well as the city’s identity.

He also said Madison is the second city in the nation to enact a preservation ordinance for a certain sector of buildings and that the district is a Federal Historic District nominee.

Tish said the alternative proposal for rehabilitation of the block would meet nearly all the stated goals of the original proposal plus added benefits such as keeping more square footage and sustainable aspects while creating more jobs.