Fiscal Note
This referendum question would be voted on during a regularly scheduled election. There would therefore be no additional costs for election officials. As the question is relatively brief, costs for paper ballots should also be unaffected. No appropriation is therefore required.
Title
Authorizing the placement on the April 7, 2009 ballot of a binding referendum question relating to the conveyance of the Garver Feed Mill building and abutting lands to Common Wealth Development, Inc. or its assignees for the purpose of constructing an arts incubator and other associated improvements in Olbrich Park.
Body
Preamble
The City of Madison owns the Garver Feed Mill building, the five acres surrounding the Garver Feed Mill and 17.8 acres north of Garver to Fair Oaks Avenue. All of this property is a part of the Olbrich Park, which borders Starkweather Creek. In 2008, the City accepted the proposal of Common Wealth Development, Inc. to reuse and rehabilitate the Garver Feed Mill property into an arts incubator and associated uses. Common Wealth Development’s proposal provides for the sale of the Garver Feed Mill building to Common Wealth, and the conveyance by long-term land lease of the land underneath the building and a portion of the land surrounding the building for use as parking and other related improvements. Section 8.35, Madison General Ordinances, entitled “Preservation of Shoreline Parks” requires voter approval by referendum prior to the change in legal status of any City public park bordering a lake or navigable waterway or certain construction in any City public park bordering a lake or navigable waterway. “Change in legal status” includes the sale or long-term land lease of City property and would require voter approval prior to the City’s conveyance of the Garver Feed Mill building or any lands within Olbrich Park. The redevelopment of the Garver Feed Mill may involve construction that would require voter approval. This resolution places be...
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