Bassett Neighborhood

Bassett NH Chair Jonathan Cooper's message from the 2015 Annual Report:

Once again, the Bassett District welcomed new neighbors to new housing units during the last year and entertained proposals for additional housing that will bring even more residents to the neighborhood. Downtown Madison is a vibrant and exciting place to live and Bassett's proximity to cultural institutions, restaurants providing a diverse array of dining experiences, and the virtual "non-commute" many of us enjoy in walking, biking, or busing to work in a matter of minutes are all part of that downtown experience. It's easy to see why more people are joining us as downtown residents.

New housing which opened in the last year include the mixed-use development at 425 W. Washington, with 50 rental units, Dr. John Bonsett-Veal's optometry clinic, and Capital Fitness; Alexander Company's 306 West Apartments, with 176 units at Main and Henry; Keller Real Estate's Bassett Walk with 18 living units at 506 W. Main; and Urban Land Interests' Nine Line at the Yard, an 80-unit development adjacent to J.H. Findorff and Sons' expanded headquarters building in the 600 block of W. Wilson. Finally, a small but no less significant addition to the Bassett residential mix is the Lannon Hill Home, a Civil War-era building that stood at the corner of West Main and South Bassett for some 150 years. Last year this building was threatened with demolition to clear the way for the Bassett Walk project but was saved and relocated through the efforts of neighborhood residents and other concerned citizens as well as Keller Real Estate and Urban Land Interests. The Lannon Hill Home has been relocated to the corner of Proudfit and Lorillard Ct. and rehabbed as a lovely single-unit dwelling.

And as is usual for the Bassett District, more redevelopment is on the horizon. Both Inn on the Park and Anchor Bank on the Square are slated for additions and extensive exterior makeovers. The Anchor Bank project also includes the replacement of the parking structure on Hamilton with underground parking and a mixed-use building with 88 apartments.

Elsewhere in the neighborhood, the first and evidently last downtown staging of Rhythm and Booms was held in Law Park last summer. While this event proved to be a pleasant addition to our neighborhood, it unfortunately was unsuccessful financially. In its place in 2015 will be Shake the Lake, a smaller and more family-oriented event that will bring fireworks and entertainment to Law Park the last weekend of June. The development of the Brittingham Park area at the bend of North Shore and Proudfit continues, with work on a seating area and a Little Free Library under way. Finally, Brittingham Boats will be returning for a third year of operation out of the Brittingham bathhouse with plans to add pontoon boat rentals to their mix of offerings.

Summer is here. Enjoy the weather and the amenities that Bassett has to offer. Meet and greet our new neighbors and help introduce them to the pleasures of living downtown.