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Urban Design Commission approves construction of downtown office building despite controversy

Madison, WI -- The Urban Design Commission debated whether the addition of a new downtown office building would hinder the aesthetic of the historic Telephone Company located next to the proposed structure.


The meeting, which took place on October 7, was to discuss the approval of an additional parking structure which would be added on to the office building during the upcoming construction.


The office building, which had gained prior approval by the Madison City Council, was subject to criticism from the Urban Design Commission regarding a proposed design change that would extend the parking ramp in the building closer to its nextdoor neighbor, the Wisconsin Telephone Company.


“I thought the previous plan was already strangling the Telephone building, and now it looks like the ramp is almost touching the building” said Urban Design Commission member Christian Harper, adding that he views the addition of the ramp as a “self inflicted design wound.”


The Telephone Company building was built in 1929 as a warehouse for the Wisconsin Telephone Company. The structure has served many purposes since then, and currently is not being utilized.


The developer of the proposed downtown office building, Curt Brink, also owns the property that the Telephone Company building is located on, and plans to restore the historic building and turn it into a commercial space for retailers.


The office building will be an 11-story addition to East Washington avenue, located in a commercial neighborhood just northeast of the Capitol. The building will have the bottom floor reserved for retail and restaurant space, a 693-space three floor parking garage with a rooftop green space, and an 8 story glass tower.


“I think that downtown Madison has lost its sense of scale,” Urban Design Commission member Lisa Goddenhurtz said in reference to the size of the building and its proximity to the historical Madison building.


Commission member Christian Harper stated that “to me it just looks awful. I mean it’s a neat building and I’m sure something nice is going to be done with it but having that parking ramp run right up to the Telephone building is aesthetically disturbing.”


In addition to the encroachment on the property of the Telephone Company building, additional concerns were raised about the glass exterior of the office building.


“It reminds me of the 80s all-glass office buildings” Urban Design Commission member Russel Knudson said, “there is a growing trend around the country to recognize the environmental impact of glass. I look at future generations seeing this building and knowing that we approved it in 2020 and it’s quite bothersome to me.”


While the project received criticism from numerous members of the Urban Design Commission, after nearly an hour of debate the committee motioned to approve the design changes to the office building.


The developer plans to start construction this fall and anticipates the building will be completed by fall of 2021.



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