Fiscal Note
The 2015 Parks Division Capital Budget, Project No. 17, Garver at Olbrich Botanical Complex, has authorized $1,825,000 as the City's contribution towards the rehabilitaion and adaptive reuse of Garver Feed Mill. The acceptance of this proposal does not obligate any City funding. Costs associated with the final development agreement will be addressed in future resolutions.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Accepting the proposal of Baum Development for the redevelopment of the Garver Feed Mill.
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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, commonly known as the “North Plat”. OBS then transferred ownership of the Property to the City of Madison (the “City”).
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Stewardship Funds were used for both purchases of the Property and the North Plat. To rehabilitate the Building and allow the non-park uses on the Property and the North Plat, the City will need to acquire additional parkland and secure WDNR’s authorization to transfer the WDNR deed restrictions to this new parkland. The transferring of these deed restrictions is called the “Conversion Process”.
In 2000, the Board of Park Commissioners 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 p...
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