The Neighborhood House Community Center at 29 S. Mills St. to redevelop its space that would increase the reach of the Madison nonprofit and provide affordable housing.
The proposed project includes a six-story mixed-use building with 60 residential units and a larger community center space on the first floor.
The new building will contain affordable housing with income-restricted units for people making 30% of the area median income, as well as market-rate units.
The 30% allocation is the most needed housing in Madison, according to city staff. This threshold is the lowest offered nationally by the federal Office of Housing and Urban Development. To qualify, a single person would need to earn at least $25,650 annually, and a two-person household would need to make up to $29,310, with income limits ranging in combined earnings to $42,510. US$ for a house that sleeps six people.
Neighborhood housefounded 107 years ago as Madison’s first community center, offers an array of programs and services, including fitness classes, social activities, job training for people with disabilities, youth programs, a food pantry and legal aid clinics.
The agency proposes to demolish its current building and build a new structure with 40 one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units, as well as 40 underground parking stalls.
Sam Brown, chairman of the Neighborhood House board, said the center’s current building in the Greenbush neighborhood was built in 1965 and has outlived its useful life.
“Currently, we are operating in a building that no longer suits our needs,” Brown said.
He said the new space will allow the center to serve more people than it can now.
“We have outgrown the facility,” Brown said. “Our summer camp, for example, has a long waiting list now. This will allow us to move into about 16,000 square feet of space. It will have a dramatic impact.”
The residential section will feature a community room with access to a rooftop patio. Residents will have access to programs and services offered by Neighborhood House, as well as access to a gym.
Neighborhood House used a competitive process to find a development company to be a partner on the project, ultimately selecting Madison-based Alexander Co.
“It’s a project that promises not only to revitalize this beloved space but also to address the critical need for ‘affordable housing in our community,'” said Joe Alexander, president, who called it “a project that promises to not only revitalize this beloved space but also address the critical need for ‘affordable housing’ in our community.”
Neighborhood House plans to go before the Madison Plan Commission for approval on December 11 and the City Council on January 9. The nonprofit will also seek funding from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Association, which could provide tax credits used to cover the cost of the project. development.
The proposed redevelopment has already received $1.36 million in funding from Dane County and is awaiting approval of $1.9 million from the city of Madison.
If the development plan and financing are approved, construction of the Neighborhood House will begin in September 2024.
