MONROE - Some citizens had a more positive perception of a proposed senior housing development, after attending a presentation on the project at the Monroe Common Council meeting Wednesday.
Silverstone Partners, Inc., a development firm based in Middleton, is proposing a 62-unit senior housing complex on the corner of 16th Avenue and 8th Street, now home to a municipal parking lot.
"I want to know how this will bring in new business," said Rob McCarthy, who lives on the same block.
McCarthy also questioned the project's impact on traffic, safety of neighborhood children, property values and the need for more senior housing, at a cost of losing a city parking lot. He was also concerned about the height of the building.
But after seeing the presentation, and an artistic rendition of the 3-story building's exterior, he was pleased.
"I like the plan," he said. "It's better than looking at a parking lot. It looks great, plants and trees and a terrace."
About 11 citizens attended the meeting. Seven asked similar questions prior to the presentation.
Melissa DiTulio, who works at TDS Telecom, located across from the parking lot site, said she didn't mind walking further to get to work, but believes an apartment building for people of all ages would be more beneficial to Monroe.
"Outside of a pharmacy and a medical supply business, the majority of downtown businesses cater to younger people, with income," she said.
Two other TDS employees noted the loss of parking for themselves and others.
"When the parking lot is used for 'handicapped parking only' on Cheese Days, it's always full," said Gail Rausch.
Christie Strait, representing the interests of the Green County Historical Society museum facing 9th Street - on the same block - said the presentation did not change her mind by much. She questioned the loss of parking space for workers and handicapped visitors to museum - and for the future of Monroe.
""We have parking lot issues now. What if we grow and have to buy more land to make a parking lot? Think about being good neighbors to TDS and leave the parking alone," she said.
David Riese, a member of Monroe Main Street Board of Directors, asked council members to bear in mind the potential increase in business traffic to the downtown and to be careful about the future needs for parking.
"The streetscape project was to help make the downtown more attractive," said Riese, who is also part of a citizen's group proposing to create a cheese and dairy destination center.
The cheese and dairy center being proposed could attract about 30,000 people per year, he added.
Tom Sather, president of Silverstone Partners, Inc., and Raymond Bolton, a partner and senior architect of Architectural Design Consultants, answered questions during the presentation.
A heated underground parking area, averaging more than one space per apartment unit, is being planned, Sather explained.
Rick Maliszewski, a board member for the Monroe Theatre Guild, said the MTG will need more parking with the group's new theater on 16th Avenue, just 200 feet south of the development.
Maliszewski also suggested changing the driveway to the proposed development's parking, from 17th Avenue to 8th Street. The change would allow tenants to exit on 8th Street and provide easy access to either north-bound 17th Avenue or south-bound 16th Avenue.
"I like the foot print (of the development), the way it fills all the space," Maliszewski said.
Sather said the change could be made, though the complex would lose about six units, which would slightly reduce the property tax revenue. The change would also release the need for a 200-foot strip of land that could be used for about 22 parking places behind the museum.
If completed, the $7.4 million senior housing project is projected to bring more than $1 million in property tax revenues to Tax Increment District No. 7 over the next 20 years.
Silverstone needs to prepare and submit development plans to Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for acceptance into a tax credit program. All plans with the city will have to be contingent on WHEDA acceptance, Sather explained.
"We would know by late March or early April, with certainty, of WHEDA decision," he added.
The council took no action on the project. Some city committees may meet - beginning as soon as next week - to discuss various portions of the project.
Silverstone Partners, Inc., a development firm based in Middleton, is proposing a 62-unit senior housing complex on the corner of 16th Avenue and 8th Street, now home to a municipal parking lot.
"I want to know how this will bring in new business," said Rob McCarthy, who lives on the same block.
McCarthy also questioned the project's impact on traffic, safety of neighborhood children, property values and the need for more senior housing, at a cost of losing a city parking lot. He was also concerned about the height of the building.
But after seeing the presentation, and an artistic rendition of the 3-story building's exterior, he was pleased.
"I like the plan," he said. "It's better than looking at a parking lot. It looks great, plants and trees and a terrace."
About 11 citizens attended the meeting. Seven asked similar questions prior to the presentation.
Melissa DiTulio, who works at TDS Telecom, located across from the parking lot site, said she didn't mind walking further to get to work, but believes an apartment building for people of all ages would be more beneficial to Monroe.
"Outside of a pharmacy and a medical supply business, the majority of downtown businesses cater to younger people, with income," she said.
Two other TDS employees noted the loss of parking for themselves and others.
"When the parking lot is used for 'handicapped parking only' on Cheese Days, it's always full," said Gail Rausch.
Christie Strait, representing the interests of the Green County Historical Society museum facing 9th Street - on the same block - said the presentation did not change her mind by much. She questioned the loss of parking space for workers and handicapped visitors to museum - and for the future of Monroe.
""We have parking lot issues now. What if we grow and have to buy more land to make a parking lot? Think about being good neighbors to TDS and leave the parking alone," she said.
David Riese, a member of Monroe Main Street Board of Directors, asked council members to bear in mind the potential increase in business traffic to the downtown and to be careful about the future needs for parking.
"The streetscape project was to help make the downtown more attractive," said Riese, who is also part of a citizen's group proposing to create a cheese and dairy destination center.
The cheese and dairy center being proposed could attract about 30,000 people per year, he added.
Tom Sather, president of Silverstone Partners, Inc., and Raymond Bolton, a partner and senior architect of Architectural Design Consultants, answered questions during the presentation.
A heated underground parking area, averaging more than one space per apartment unit, is being planned, Sather explained.
Rick Maliszewski, a board member for the Monroe Theatre Guild, said the MTG will need more parking with the group's new theater on 16th Avenue, just 200 feet south of the development.
Maliszewski also suggested changing the driveway to the proposed development's parking, from 17th Avenue to 8th Street. The change would allow tenants to exit on 8th Street and provide easy access to either north-bound 17th Avenue or south-bound 16th Avenue.
"I like the foot print (of the development), the way it fills all the space," Maliszewski said.
Sather said the change could be made, though the complex would lose about six units, which would slightly reduce the property tax revenue. The change would also release the need for a 200-foot strip of land that could be used for about 22 parking places behind the museum.
If completed, the $7.4 million senior housing project is projected to bring more than $1 million in property tax revenues to Tax Increment District No. 7 over the next 20 years.
Silverstone needs to prepare and submit development plans to Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for acceptance into a tax credit program. All plans with the city will have to be contingent on WHEDA acceptance, Sather explained.
"We would know by late March or early April, with certainty, of WHEDA decision," he added.
The council took no action on the project. Some city committees may meet - beginning as soon as next week - to discuss various portions of the project.