(From the Capitol Neighborhoods
Annual Report, June, 2005).
Over
the year, we have learned how important it is to clearly
define expectations and standards and to develop and
easily understandable vision of the Historic District
as well as neighboring areas within the Capitol Neighborhoods
boundaries that directly impacts the neighborhood.
The Mansion Hill Neighborhood Design
Guidelines are nearing completion. The text and photographic
work is complete. Special thanks to Steven Agard at
Hyperion Studios who is using his special expertise
to enhance the photographs and digital images for printing.
He will be integrating them into the text for printing.
The Design Guidelines will contain clear information
and techniques about improving the original vintage
building stock as well as standards for infill and
peripheral development.
The Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel
and Student Center at 220 West Gilman Street is well
underway, as a project greatly enhanced due to cooperation
between church officials and the neighborhood. The
neighborhood appreciates the responsiveness and sensitivity
to neighborhood concerns demonstrated by Pastor Tom
Trapp and lay church official John Zimdars. The neighborhood
looks forward to completion of this new “landmark”.
Almost directly across the street from the Lutheran
Chapel construction project, is the proposed Buckeye
lot, mixed use parking, commercial and residential
development project. Curt Brink was the sole participant
in the RFP process and because his response was in
harmony with the requirements stated in the RFP, he
was awarded the project. The neighborhood is waiting
to see what Curt’s plans are and to work with
him prior to final city approval of the project to
make sure that it is of high quality, integrates
well into the neighborhood and is a real benefit. Curt’s
project is planned to be built above significant short
term parking for State Street visitors and to offer
owner-occupied condominium apartments in a truly exciting
location. The Buckeye project offers the opportunity
to have new owners anchor West Gilman Street with great
connections to both the cultural district and the University.
With the leadership of Ledell Zellers , the Woman’s
Building at 240 West Gilman Street was declared a City
landmark. Discussions with the owner are underway about
future uses of the building.
Finally, the Mansion Hill Neighborhood welcomes new
residents and neighbors at 100 Wisconsin Avenue . We
also welcome the new districts of State/Langdon and
James Madison Park which have boundaries adjacent to
Mansion Hill. These areas have great promise as contributors
to our central city fabric and we are eager to meet
and welcome residents from those neighborhoods.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene Devitt (Chair of Mansion Hill Historic District)
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