(From Capitol Neighborhoods' 2005 Annual Report)

The Mifflin West neighborhood continues its transformation, becoming Madison's premier entertainment district as well as a fine residential area for long-term owner occupants and student renters alike.  Much has happened over the past year, and now our neighborhood enters the "Season of Phase II's" for the Overture Center, State Street Reconstruction, and Metropolitan Place.  These projects and other developments are brush strokes that add to the portrait of our neighborhood.  A portrait that hangs outside our doorsteps for us to experience on a daily basis.  How has this image changed in the last year?

 Last fall was marked with the celebration of the opening of the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison's signature entertainment venue.  We are fortunate to have this wonderful asset in our backyard.  For us it is only a short stroll to enjoy the opportunities that abound there.  As phase II of construction completes during the upcoming year, Overture Hall will be joined by the renovated Capitol Theater this November, The Playhouse in February, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in April of next year.  Anticipated is the Museum's rooftop garden, a unique setting for modern sculpture juxtaposed with Capitol and State Street views.  Phase II is taking shape.  The last limestone slabs of the exterior masonry are being mortared into place adjacent to the Capitol Theater Tower.  The elements of Cesar Pelli's dramatic flat-iron inspired, glass stairway are being composed at the corner of State and North Henry Streets, and just down Henry Street one can also get a sense of the scale of the Cross Roads Entry (www.overturefoundation.com/construction/).

 

State Street is a much-loved amenity of our neighborhood -- the premier dining and shopping area downtown with its mix of trendy and unique shops and restaurants, as well as surviving Madison originals such as Ginos, Fontana, and the Soap Opera.  On this street, like dandelions in spring, yellow construction vehicles again have appeared as the reconstruction of the 200 block commences.  As with Phase I, this year's reconstruction focusses on the underground utilities first, followed by a facelift matching that of the 100 block of the street (www.cityofmadison.com/statestreet/construction.htm). 

Farther down the street, in an area that includes the current Buckeye Parking lot and several homes, construction may begin on a parking ramp accompanied by commercial and residential units.  Across Gilman Street from this development is the Woman's Building, which was designated in the past year as a Madison landmark thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of citizens.  You can learn more about historical buildings along State Street by attending a regularly scheduled walking tour offered by the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation (www.madisontrust.org/tours/).

 The past year saw the completion of several buildings tailored for the student rental market, most being near the campus side of the Mifflin West neighborhood at the corner where Gorham Street bends into University Avenue.  Concerns have been expressed to the City about the canyon of tall buildings that is forming at this corner.  Some expect that this concentration of new student housing will stabilize rental markets and allow for homes in other areas to be reclaimed by owner occupants.  This assemblage of tall buildings is soon to be joined by The Equinox, another 12-story building that the City's Urban Design Commission has also judged to be extraordinary architecture by granting two bonus stories above the 10-story limit.  The neighborhood is appreciative of this developer's cooperation with the relocation of two of the five late 19th- and early 20th-century homes, as well as their efforts to salvage the interior and exterior architectural fabric from the three buildings that were demolished.  However, it is unfortunate that The Equinox will eclipse the views of the Capitol along University Avenue for generations to come.

 Other residential developments proposed for the area include Cliff Fischer's Metropolitan Place Phase II on West Mifflin Street, The Alexander Company's Capitol West in block 51 (site of the defunct Meriter hospital buildings), and a contentious proposal from the Madison Development Corporation in the 400 block of West Mifflin Street.  After months of discussions about amendments to the original design of the second phase of Metropolitan Place, tenants of the already-constructed wing arrived at a mutual understanding with the developer for the completion of the second wing of this complex.  Construction will begin in the months ahead.  Across West Washington Avenue from Metropolitan Place, Capitol West, which is just outside the boundary of our district, is an extensive mixed-use development that proposes to add hundreds of residential units during several phases of construction.  Concerns have been raised by residents about the height of new construction and especially about the proposal to build into what is called the Broom Street setback.  Construction in this setback would eliminate the greenspace that exists there and would limit future enhancements to this important entry into the downtown.  Residents are currently proposing a compromise that would retain sufficient space to implement future enhancements while enabling some construction in the setback.  Another proposal that drew significant opposition from many, including student neighbors, was Madison Development Corporation's 4-story, 23-unit apartment building on the 400 block of West Mifflin. Though the idea of providing some units of affordable housing was liked, the proposal was seen as incompatible with the existing streetscape and an inappropriate precedent for the curturally-significant Mifflin area.

 We too are an essential part of our neighborhood's portrait.  We contribute the vibrancy and vitality that brings life to this image.  The pace of developments in our district shows no signs of slowing, and this requires residents that are informed and involved.  Keep informed by subscribing to the Mifflin West list server at MifflinWestNeighborhood-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, and encourage your neighbors to become members of Capitol Neighborhoods.  Thanks to those who  have devoted their time and efforts to neighborhood issues over the past year, and we invite you to join us in painting the portrait that hangs outside our doorsteps.

-Jim Skrentny