Fiscal Note
Funding of $15,000 is available in the Planning and Development 2006 Capital Budget for Preliminary Planning, Account #810425.
Title
SUBSTITUTE - Authorizing the provision of $15,000 to Independent Living to arrange for a market study of senior housing in the South Madison Beltline area, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement to secure the study.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In 2005, the Council adopted a South Madison Neighborhood Plan that establishes some goals for Census Tracts 13 and 14.01. Within the last five years, the City has conducted several studies for the revitalization of Park Street, and adopted several specific studies' recommendation intended to foster housing, economic development, including the redevelopment of the Villager, a BUILD study, and attachments related to the Park/Badger area. The Badger-Ann-Park Redevelopment Committee recommended a series of initiatives to be funded with the use of capital budget funds, one of which included the conversion of some rental properties along Badger Road into owner-occupied housing. This project stalled when the estimated costs of the project exceeded the available funding, due to temporary increases in occupancy. However, housing trends within the area continue to suggest the need for housing improvement initiatives. In May 2006, the Council authorized the issuance of an RFP to conduct a housing study in this area. The City received only one proposal. Further discussions with various groups have suggested the option to narrow the focus of the study to seniors and senior housing.
STUDY:
The proposed study arranged through Independent Living provides a method to help staff, various City committees, private developers and owners, and the Council establish strategies that would lead to revitalization of the housing and expand housing choices.
ACTION:
WHEREAS, the Common Council has adopted South Madison Neighborhood Plan and recommendation from the Badger-Ann-Park Redevelopment Committee that identified the improvement and diversity of housing stock in this area as priority goals,
WHEREAS the City and neighborhood would benefit by the development of a set of strategies and priorities to address those adopted goals,
WHEREAS, the Common Council authorized the use of $200,000 in 2004-6 capital budget funds to help a housing project in this area, and further authorized the use of up to $50,000 in May 2006 for a study,
WHEREAS, only one firm responded to the May RFP, and further discussion suggested a more specific focus on senior housing needs,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council authorize the provision of up to $15,000 in Capital Budget Project Department of Planning and Development Preliminary Planning Account funds to Independent Living to arrange for a market study of senior housing needs focused within approximately 2 miles of the Badger-Park intersection and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to enter into an agreement with Independent Living to arrange for the study and report to the Common Council.