Terrace Avenue Celebration

Middleton to Celebrate Innovative Transformation of Terrace Avenue  

City officials invite residents and businesses to join in celebrating the completion of a year-long transformation of Terrace Avenue on the western end of the city’s historic downtown. A ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 12, at 5:00 p.m. will feature the unveiling of the name of the new public market space adjacent to the Capital Brewery.

Completed in 2014, the revitalized corridor features a pedestrian- and bicycle-oriented street design, all utilities located underground, LED street lighting on poles that support either hanging flower baskets or banners, an off-street parking area with porous asphalt and an electric vehicle charging station, and the multipurpose canopy shelter, whose rooftop harnesses solar energy and collects rainwater for irrigating the baskets.

“The Terrace Avenue corridor is a huge contributor to the social and economic vitality of Middleton, so we took this opportunity to look beyond a normal street rebuilding project and imagine other possibilities,” said Mayor Kurt Sonnentag. “The market arcade pavilion provides a focal point for a variety of community events, and the canopy generates solar power to energize the street lights and the EV station across the street. This project is a prime example of a sustainable community initiative.”

“The Middleton Chamber of Commerce looks forward to many years of Terrace Avenue events,” added Van Nutt, executive director. “We thank the City for recognizing the street’s potential, and the efforts of the design and construction teams. Well done!”

The City hired Strand Associates to work with planning consultant, Vandewalle & Associates and City officials to develop an appropriate theme for the corridor and guide the project from concept design to final completion. Raymond Cattell Inc., was the general contractor.

“We were pleased to be able to help the City provide a unique, sustainable, and revitalized entry into its downtown, all while working under an accelerated timeline and finishing under budget,” stated Tom Stetzer, the firm’s project manager.

The $3.6 million project was funded by the City’s Tax Increment District #3.

Innovative Design Features

Instead of just replacing sewer and water mains and reconstructing the street, the City included numerous streetscape amenities and green infrastructure linked to various sustainability initiatives. The new sidewalks are wider and meet accessibility standards, the street surface consists of a decorative concrete as it passes through the “festival zone” between the skateboard park and the new market pavilion, bicycle parking racks are located along the corridor, and “sharrow” symbols painted in travel lanes to reinforce that bicyclists have equal right to use the street.

“It's exciting to see one of the oldest roadways in the City brought into the 21st Century with means for multi-modal transportation, public bike parking, and space for community events.  The new Terrace Avenue will serve as an example of how streets in Middleton can be rethought and reconstructed,” said Ald. Hans Hilbert, Chair of the Pedestrian, Bicycle & Transit Committee.

One of the most innovative components of the project is the decorative street light poles that feature LED lighting and hooks for hanging baskets and banners. The City recently hung 40 flower baskets along the corridor, and banners will be displayed on alternating poles later this summer.

Funded by the Community Development Authority, the baskets are connected to a unique irrigation system that captures rain water from the market canopy and stores it in a 550 gallon, below-ground cistern. A programmable timer then pumps water through a pipe beneath the brick terrace to a tube that extends up each light pole.

Other storm water management features of the project include the use of porous asphalt to pave the new parking lot adjacent to the skateboard park as well as the permeable brick paver system installed between the street and the sidewalk.

In addition to repurposing rainfall, the City endeavored to harness solar energy. The south-facing roof of the new public market canopy features a photovoltaic generation system consisting of solar panels that provide energy to the canopy as well as to the pedestrian and roadway lighting along the street. Remaining energy is sold back to Madison Gas & Electric. The system does not require regular maintenance and is expected to save 21.5 tons of carbon dioxide yearly.

"The Sustainability Committee is excited about Middleton's continued commitment to the goal of 25% of the City's electric power and transportation fuels to be from renewable resources by 2025,” said Spencer Schumacher, committee chair.

Collaboration and Cooperation

Achieving a project of this scope and complexity required extensive coordination with residents, adjacent businesses, and other corridor stakeholders.

Because the sidewalk and bricks have not yet been installed in front of Middleton Station apartments, the building’s owners agreed to water the hanging baskets along the street until the irrigation system become operational.  “We greatly admire the passion and commitment that the community has shown and its proactive approach to managing issues - all with a keen eye on enhancing the experience of living in downtown Middleton.  We’re proud to be part of the Middleton community and look forward to the great successes that this relationship and can-do attitude will continue to create,” said Chris Laurent, President of New Urban Focus.

Rob Conhaim, Chair of the Arts Committee, is delighted by what will be installed along the sidewalk between Middleton Station and the new public pavilion. “The space will be enlivened by a 16 foot tall kinetic sculpture designed by artist Randy Olson,” he said. The developer is paying for the sculpture upfront with reimbursement by the City through $25,000 in TIF #3 funding. The Common Council approved the sculpture on June 2.

The arcade structure is intended to be used for public events such as a farmers’ market, flea markets and a food truck hub, as well as activities associated with the Capital Brewery. The canopy includes lighting and electrical outlets for use by vendors. Although built by the City as part of the Terrace Avenue project, the structure is managed and maintained by the brewery through agreement with the City. The name of the pavilion was selected by the Market Arcade Oversight Committee following a public naming contest.

“Capital Brewery is excited to be part of this bold project. The City has really made a statement and we are quite pleased with the results,” said Scott Wiener, Capital Brewery president. Added Mayor Sonnentag, “The pavilion provides a convenient communal gathering area for residents and visitors to celebrate, relax and purchase local goods.”

And on June 12, starting at 5 p.m., it will host one of its first public events: a community celebration of the transformation of Terrace Avenue. Whether it’s the new street surface, pedestrian-friendly design, or the precedent-setting green infrastructure, corridor stakeholders and the greater Middleton community clearly have much to celebrate!

For more information, contact Mike Davis, City Administrator & Director of Community Development, at mdavis@ci.middleton.wi.us, 608-821-8358 or see the following link from Strand’s application for an engineering achievement award.