Project Update – April 2022

Spring is in the air! And while early-stage work has been underway at the Truman-Olson project site for several months, warmer weather means construction is moving full steam ahead.

This project combines 150 affordable housing units with a 24,600 square foot space for a grocery store. The City of Madison is in negotiations with a grocery operator that is looking forward to occupying the grocery store space. The apartments will include 30 supportive units, the most affordable and most accessible apartments designated for people with disabilities or veterans. In addition, the project will include 161 structured parking spaces, and amenities for tenants including a community room, fitness center, and areas for youth to play and study.

Rule Enterprises and Movin’ Out carefully selected our construction team based on our shared values of equity and integrity. Together with our general contractor, Wisconsin-based Catalyst Construction, and with help from our consultant, Wisconsin-based and Black-woman-owned Cross Management Services, we are meeting or exceeding City of Madison and WHEDA minimum requirements for Emerging Business Enterprises and new local hires: 

• EBE subcontractors comprise 28% of the project, exceeding the 25% requirement, and participating largely in mid- to later-stages of construction.
• To date, there are 12-13 new local hires, meeting/exceeding the required minimum of 12.
• Additionally, 17 Madison-area subcontractor scopes represent approximately 22% of the project cost, and 13 union subcontractor scopes represent about 21% of the project cost. 

District 13 Alder Tag Evers recently expressed his support stating, “It’s great to see the progress on this important project for South Madison. The Rule Enterprises and Movin’ Out team are on track to successfully meet the City’s requirements for EBEs and new local hires.”

District 14 Alder Sheri Carter echoed Evers enthusiasm, commenting on the “excitement in seeing this major development for our community well underway.” She added that the City is making progress on the grocery store selection. 

We look forward to more exciting progress in the weeks and months ahead. Watch for frequent updates now that construction is moving ahead! 

Project Overview

The proposed site, located in South Madison on Park Street (1402 S. Park Street), North of Wingra Drive, will be developed into a mixed-use affordable housing development, including units designated for individuals with permanent disabilities and their families, and a full-service grocery store.

Current Site

• South Madison – 1402 South Park Street (North of Wingra Creek)
• 3.25 acres
• Current use: N/A

Community Assets

• Iconic, diverse neighborhoods
• Directly on current Metro bus line and Future BRT route
• Proximity to many City services and community organizations
• Proximity to major hospitals and clinics
• Adjacent Opportunity Zone
• Walkable and bikeable area next to prominent bike path
• UW Arboretum and other natural amenities
• Beltline and other major roads

Project Programming

• Diversity of housing units – multifamily and direct access units
• “Beyond compliance” accessibility features
• Grocery store
• Community spaces, including community meeting space and rooftop space
• Covered parking
• On-site bike storage
• Green Built Multi-Family
• Improved vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle connections

Development Team

Rule Enterprises, LLC – Co-Developer

Rule Enterprises specializes in strategic investing, and uses property development as a primary driver. Everything Rule Enterprises does is rooted in equity, equality, and dignity. Mission of solving problems that no one else may know exists all while creating high-caliber, distinctive development projects.

Rule Enterprises has a profound ability to study the cultural context within a particular neighborhood and incorporate those findings into an innovative, functional design.

• Brandon Rule – President

Movin’ Out, Inc. – Co-Developer

Movin’ Out works with individuals and families to achieve long-term housing success, bringing people and housing solutions together in ways that help create inclusive communities. Movin’ Out develops new multi-family housing with most units affordable for low- to moderate-income households. Typically about 25% of the units are designed to be both the most affordable and the most accessible, affirmatively marketed to households that include members who qualify for long-term care due to their disabilities.

Movin’ Out approaches all work with attention to the ecological, social, and economic impacts of future development. As a proven non-profit housing developer, Movin’ Out has many decades of combined experience partnering with developers and working independently to build multi-family housing. To date, Movin’ Out has helped create more than 1,000 units of affordable rental housing in communities throughout Wisconsin.

• Megan Schuetz – Real Estate Developer
• Kathryne Auerback – Executive Director

Arc-Int Architecture – Architect

• Edward Haydin – Managing Partner
• Ryan Thacker – Partner

Saiki Design – Landscape Architect

• Samantha Farrel Folger – Landscape Architect

Wyser Engineering – Civil Engineer

• Wade Wyse – Civil Engineer

Urban Assets – Neighborhood & City Approvals

• Melissa Huggins – Principal Planner
• Marcus Pearson – Associate Planner

Current Development Plan Overview

• 24,000 square foot full-service grocery store
• 150 total housing units:
  • 65 – one bedroom
  • 55 – two bedroom
  • 30 – three bedroom
• 161 total structured parking spaces (including 6 ADA)
  • 60 spaces allocated to Luna’s Groceries

Current Development Plans (Approved on 1/13/20)

Access to development plans: https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/1402-s-park-street/3526/

Access to City of Madison Site Plan Verification Database (Agency Reviews in Process): https://crystal.cityofmadison.com/WebReports/adapter/XReport.aspx?env=Webaccess&export=true&exporttype=5&reportName=/Webaccess/SitePlanVerificationCombo.rpt&AltID=LNDUSE-2020-00127&Revision%20Number=9999

Planning & Engagement Timeline

Neighborhood Meetings

• Neighborhood Meeting 1 – June 25, 2020
• Neighborhood Meeting 2 – July 30, 2020
• Neighborhood Meeting 3 – August 27, 2020
• Neighborhood Meeting 4 – September 30, 2020

City Approvals

• Urban Design Commission informational meeting – 10/7/20
• Urban Design Commission initial/final meeting – 1/13/21
• Plan Commission meeting – 1/11/21