Major development project proposed for the North Pinckney block of Madison’s Capitol Square (Block 101)

Information currently available

Image is from the ULI submission to the Landmarks Commission. Additions in red were added by MTHP for clarity. Click to enlarge.

1) 1934 McVicar image of the Olson & Veerhusen building, 7 N. Pinckney St. This structure is now the southern half of what is Centre 7. The proposal would demolish and relocate the second-floor facade.

2) Front page article by Dean Mosiman in Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal, April 26.

3) Urban Land Interests “American Exchange Development” application material.

a.View ULI variance application, which includes:

                                               i.     Landmarks Commission Application filed March 16, 2020 (one page)

                                             ii.     Letter of Intent (11 pages)

                        iii.     Graphic presentation of proposed development (45 pages)

b. Supplemental Project Renderings, 4/24/2020

c. Memorandum dated April 17, 2020 from Mark Binkowski to Kurt Stege regarding “The Importance of the American Exchange Development.”

d. View ULI Landmarks Commission Application filed June 22, 2020

Note that ULI’s American Exchange Development project has substantial similarities to its development of Block 89, especially as it relates to that project’s treatment of the Burrows Block (now Johnny Delmonico's).

4) Link to the nomination materials for all six locally landmarked properties in Block 101. The proposed ULI development would occupy most of the block.

#36 ~ American Exchange Bank - 1871
1 N. Pinckney St.
Nomination Form (PDF)

#109 ~ Belmont Hotel (now the YWCA) - 1923
101 E. Mifflin St. (29 N. Pinckney St.)
Nomination Form (PDF)

#112 ~ Wakeley-Giles Building (now Sol's) - 1869
117-119 E. Mifflin St.
Nomination Form (PDF)

#175 ~ Hobbins Block / Olson and Veerhusen Building (now Centre 7) - 1899 & 1906
7-11 N. Pinckney St.
Nomination Form (PDF, nominated by the Madison Trust)

#176 ~ Maeder Building / Ellsworth Block (now Harvest/The Old Fashioned) - 1871
21-23 N. Pinckney St.
Nomination Form (PDF, nominated by the Madison Trust)

#177 ~ Winterbotham Building (formerly L'Etoile) - 1897
27 N Pinckney St.
Nomination Form (PDF, nominated by the Madison Trust)

5) The most relevant language from the Madison Historic Preservation ordinance:

41.19(7) Public Interest Variance. The Landmarks Commission may grant a variance allowing the construction of a new structure, or the alteration, demolition or removal of an existing structure, which would otherwise be prohibited under Sec. 41.18, if the Commission finds that a variance is necessary in the public interest. A variance is necessary in the public interest if the Commission finds all of the following:

a)   The proposed building, object, site or structure provides unique, high priority benefits to the general public.

b)  The benefits to the general public under sub. (7)(a) above substantially outweigh the strong public interest in preserving historic resources expressed in this chapter.

c)   There are no reasonable alternatives to granting a variance that would allow the proposed project to occur in the city and satisfy the standards of this chapter.

6) Link to Subchapter 41F of the Madison General Ordinances, which includes all of section 41.19.

7) Madison Trust 2008 Report - Preserving the Most Intact Grouping of 19th and Early 20th Century Commercial Buildings on the Square

8) City of Madison Preservation Planner's report regarding ULI variance application.

9) Madison Trust statement regarding ULI variance application.

10) Letter to Members of the Madison Trust, May 21, 2020

11) Analysis of Effects of the American Exchange Redevelopment Proposal on Historic Properties, by Jason Tish, Archetype, Historic Property Consultants, LLC, April 2020

  The steps the Madison Trust has taken relative to the proposal:

  1. Madison Trust President Kurt Stege contacted ULI, had the opportunity to review an earlier version of the proposal and offered his personal input. Some of that input was reflected in the current version.

  2. The Madison Trust Board heard a presentation by ULI about the proposal once the project had reached its current rendition.

  3. The Madison Trust retained the services of Jason Tish of Archetype HPC. Jason is an historic preservation consultant who served as the Madison Trust’s Executive Director for five years. Jason is preparing a report that will help the Madison Trust Board assert a well-reasoned position regarding the variance application that has been filed by ULI. We will make that report available to you as soon as it is completed.

  4. The Madison Trust Board last met during the evening of April 21, and as of that time, had not taken a formal position on the application or project because it is awaiting the report from Jason Tish. The Board anticipates Jason’s report will have a significant impact on the position taken by the Board.

  5. The Madison Trust is taking this opportunity to provide you with information currently available regarding the proposal so that you may review it, offer your comments to the Madison Trust, and speak at the May 4 Landmarks Commission meeting if you wish.

  6. We will make additional information available here.