Fiscal Note
The Resolution authorizes the City to negotiate a development agreement, but does not commit to expenditures at this time. Terms of the development agreement will require Council approval under a future, separate Resolution.
Title
Accepting the proposal of Common Wealth Development for the redevelopment of the Garver Feed Mill and directing City staff to negotiate a development agreement with Common Wealth Development.
Body
PREAMBLE
From 1906 through 1997, the Garver Feed Mill was a working industrial building and a significant feature on the east side of Madison. The building was designated as eligible for listing on the National Register in 1992 and designated a local landmark in 1994.
In 1997 after a two-year fundraising campaign, the Olbrich Botanical Society (the “OBS”) acquired the Garver Feed Mill (the “Building”) and approximately five acres of land surrounding it (collectively the “Property”) for $700,000. The City Parks Division acquired the surrounding 17.8 acres north of the Property to Fair Oaks Avenue. The OBS transferred ownership of the Property to the City with a deed restriction that the Property be used in perpetuity as parkland devoted primarily to botanical gardens. DNR Stewardship Funds were used for the both the City and the OBS purchases, so DNR permission is required for any sale, transfer or conversion to non-park uses. In 2000, the Park Commission adopted an updated Master Plan for the Olbrich Botanical Gardens (the “OBG”). The Master Plan proposed to preserve the Property as part of expanded park and botanical garden facilities north of the railroad and bike path. The Master Plan allocated space for future parking, but proposed several measures to minimize the amount of parking needed and to maximize the amount of open space.
In 2001, a fire destroyed all but approximately 60,000 square feet of the Building. In 2004, the OBS commissioned a Historic Structure Report and adaptive reuse study. In accepting this ...
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