On the waterfront
I just read the “Feedback” comments by Jack Holzhueter (10/20/2016) on the Isthmus article by Marc Eisen covering the redevelopment potential of the downtown Lake Monona waterfront (“Lake Effects,” 10/13/2016). Mr. Holzhueter wonders about the purpose that the Lake Monona Boathouse that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright at the start of his career would have in 2020. Based on my 40 years of experience as a waterfront planning and engineering design professional, I believe that this historically significant building design would create a much-needed aquatic center that will help meet the recreational needs of the Madison community. Paddle craft and small sailboats would be stored, launched and retrieved here at Lake Monona’s only Aquatic Center, providing lake access opportunities to residents and visitors (similar to Hoofer Sailing Club, Wingra Boats and Brittingham Boats). The second floor could serve many purposes, including a more intimate event space than what is currently offered by Monona Terrace. This boathouse project is a key element of the proposed Nolen Waterfront, showcasing FLW’s first and last building designs. It could serve as a catalyst for redevelopment by demonstrating the quality of “what could be” along the Law Park water’s edge.
Fred Klancnik
Adjunct professor
UW department of civil and environmental engineering (via email)
Growing pains
Dylan Brogan’s piece on the potential loss of Willy Street food manufacturer RP’s Pasta (“Pasta Problems,” 10/13/2016) neglected to ask two key questions: 1) who has the power? and 2) why is bigger always better?
City officials use our considerable public resources to mediate between private landowners, developers and entrepreneurs. When the city fails — as with the negotiations between entrepreneurs at RP’s Pasta and the owners of Sherman Plaza — the city loses valuable time and public money. When they “succeed,” the private landowners are the biggest winners.
Our north-side city officials brokered a deal between Dave and Don Bruns, who own Sherman Plaza Inc., and a new marquee anchor store — Willy Street Co-op. The deal came with years of rental income for the Bruns family and a $250,000 loan from the city to repave their parking lot. I guess those perks and other incentives were not enough for the Brunses to agree to a future deal with RP’s Pasta.
RP’s owner, Peter Robertson, says that he needs more space because they are overwhelmed by demand in the “global gluten-free market.” What about local producers feeding local consumers? Why is constant growth the mantra of Madison-area businesses, from those that employ dozens, like RP’s, to those that employ tens of thousands, like Epic Software. Is there not a limit to the amount of revenue that our “local” businesses can make?
Jackson Foote (via mail)
Shady development
Here’s an additional and important piece of information related to Mike Ivey’s cleverly titled “Sunblock” article (9/15/2016), which concerned a potential Park Street development that would cast shade on the existing solar installation on our home. The current four-story proposal requires a conditional use permit since city zoning code calls for a three-story building on that site.
One of the conditions that needs to be met is, “The uses, values and enjoyment of other property in the neighborhood for purposes already established will not be substantially impaired or diminished in any foreseeable manner.”
In our case, we have been generating 100% of our electricity with solar panels for nearly a decade, and gardening even longer. These would both be measurably diminished. Other neighbors also garden, and another neighbor is hoping to go solar very soon.
In addition, the Urban Design District requirements and guidelines state that development should preserve and enhance property values. Many descriptions of houses for sale (or apartments for rent) highlight sunny interiors as a major selling point; significant additional shading would negatively affect the value of houses east of the site. When you consider that shading would begin three to four hours earlier than sunset, that’s close to 100% of most people’s evening free time after work.
“Who has a right to Madison’s precious sunshine?” Ivey asks. It looks like first come, first served.
For many reasons, I’m much more likely to welcome this development at three stories, even though it will still cast some shadows.
Jim Winkle (via email)
Less shouting, more listening
Re “Next Steps” (Opinion, 10/27/2016): Maybe the time is right to form a third political party focused on actual governing and not maintaining political control. Less shouting and more listening would be a good start. Moreover, true campaign finance reform is desperately needed. Common-sense ways to fund all elections without political donations and imposing spending limits in all races might help attract the best candidates and not the ones with the most to gain.
Re “Remembering David Medaris” (10/27/2016): As a former sales rep at Isthmus, I was around David for about a year. He was genuine, considerate, an intellect and artist, sort of a maverick. Speaking with David was like conversing with a true friend.
Rest in peace.
Brent Wood (via email)
