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New Hy-Vee Grocery Story Finally Opens
By Jeremy Kautza; RNA
Webmaster
October 23, 2009
On Tuesday, October 27, Wisconsin's first Hy-Vee grocery story will open its
doors at 6 a.m. with about 400 new employees. The 90,000-square-foot store signals that a new player has entered the Madison
and Wisconsin grocery market.
"It's a historic thing in our company to add another state," Hy-Vee
CEO Ric Jurgens said in a visit to the store on Friday. This is the 226th store and the eighth state in the company's
portfolio. Another Hy-Vee store is being built at Westgate for possible opening next year.
Hy-Vee, based in West
Des Moines, IA, may be coming from out of state, but the company tweaked its store for this market. It has the largest
cheese selection of any Hy-Vee store, manager Rob Budd said, with a special section set aside just for Wisconsin artisanal
cheeses. The wine and spirits department had to change its usual design because of the number of local beers the store
could stock. "We had to move the imports and just fill that section with Wisconsin and regional beers," Budd
said.
The produce department will have photos of growers whose food is sold. Budd and other store staff met with
the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and the Something Special From Wisconsin program, which indicates what items on the shelves
are local. There are five aisles of organic and natural foods, included a gluten-free food section.
Madison
also was the perfect location for the company to create a store that aims to earn certification for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design, Jurgens said. The site development, flooring, lighting, plumbing and waste management are all aimed
at getting LEED certification. "We thought Madison would be a great place to try this," Jurgens said. "You
want to go somewhere where people have the passion for it and understand it."
Hy-Vee plans to do more than
sell groceries. There is a large selection of prepared foods, including Chinese and Italian sections. Breakfast and other
food can be made to order and there is a 178-seat dine-in area. There also is a Caribou Coffee shop, dry cleaning through
Klinke, a flower shop with delivery in Madison and a community room for meetings or cooking classes. The store will have a
pharmacy and a staff dietitian.
Even without opening its doors, the store has made a difference in the area, alderman
Joe Clausius said. The landscaped parking area is a contrast to the vast open lot that was the ire of many in the city even
when Kmart was open from 1969 to 2003. "It's going to jump-start that area that has been a dead zone since Kmart
closed," Clausius said.
If nothing else, the Hy-Vee jingle will soon be in the heads of Wisconsinites, its
lyric of "a helpful smile in every aisle" as familiar to Iowans as the Oscar Mayer wiener song is everywhere else.
Click on the picture below to be taken to Hy-Vee's website for more information.
--Information
for this article was taken from an article that originally appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Veridian's Autumn Lake Gets Final City Approval
From the Aug. 4, 2004 "The Capital Times"
For the full story click anywhere on the article below
to be taken to the story on madison.com
Neighborhood Development Continues
Jeremy Kautza, RNA Webmaster
February 18, 2004
The Goldleaf Development project was approved by the Plan Commission on Monday Night. Bob Schaefer, Jim
Zernicke and Joe Campana spoke in favor of the project but also spoke about the need for an integrated Lien Rd improvement
and traffic management program to discourage the Autumn Wood III (Goldleaf) and the Autumn Lake (Veridian) residents from
using our neighborhood streets as North-South Connectors. The Plan Commission added our request
as a condition.
In other development news, Veridian Homes recently announced that it is proceeding with plans to develop "the
Drumlin" (this is the area between Ridge Oak and South Ridge). Road construction will begin this Spring and should be completed by
fall. Afterwards home construction will begin. This area had been previously approved for eight single family homes. The condo
project once rumored for that location will not happen.
A much larger Veridian Homes development, known as Autumn Lake, has also been approved by the Madison City
Council. See the story below.
City Council Approves Veridian's Autumn Lake
By Jeremy Kautza,
RNA Webmaster
January 2, 2004 On Tuesday night, December 2, 2003, the Madison City Council approved
a general development plan for the Village at Autumn Lake, a 285-acre subdivision by Veridian Homes. Located east of Interstate
90-94, on Lien Road, the subdivision is to be developed over the next five to 10 years, ultimately including about 500 homes.
Based on new urbanist principles of narrow streets, mixed uses and back alleys, the project also includes a man-made lake
that will be open to the public. Keep checking here for further updates or visit www.veridianhomes.com.
Autmun Wood III Project
Update By Joe Campana, RNA Co-Chair December
17, 2003 – Gold Leaf Development went back to the drawing board following the Neighborhood Meeting on December 8 where
they received neighborhood comments and suggestions on Plans B and Plan C from several residents. Today,
Gold Leaf presented a new plan – Plan D – that incorporates some of the preferred features of Plan B and Plan
C. Plan D moves the condo units off of Lien Rd to the Northwest corner of the development; it reflects a lower density; and
it shows the preferred east entrance to the development east of Glacier Hill Drive – eliminating a potentially challenging
and hazardous intersection at Glacier Hill Dr. The chart below reflects the addition
of this new plan. The former Lockwood--Eastpoint Commons project plan is also shown for comparison. Although
that project included 197 two- and three-bedroom units (total bedroom count of 382), the 264 unit Gold Leaf Plan D has approximately
320 bedrooms because it is a mix of smaller units (efficiency, one- and two-bedroom units). | Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | Plan D | Lockwood | Apartment Units | 267 | 258 | 249 | 252 | 197 | Condominium Units | 40 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 0 | Total Units | 307 | 274 | 267 | 264 | 197 | | | | | | | Total Bedrooms | | | | 320 | 382 | | | | | | | Apartment Buildings | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | Condo Buildings | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Total Buildings | 17 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | | | | | | | Trip Generation | 2005 | 1804 | 1756 | ~1750 | -- |
--Jeremy
Kautza contributed to this report.
To see pictures of the plans, click on this link!
Autumn Wood III Development Proposal
Goldleaf Forwards Two
New Options for Consideration
By Joe Campana, RNA Co-Chair
December 8, 2003
The Ridgewood Neighborhood
Association met with Goldleaf Development this evening to hear about revisions to their proposed Apartment Complex along 5014
Lien Rd (the Gerke property). The neighborhood met with Goldleaf Development several times since the beginning
of this year about this project development. At the last October meeting many residents expressed
concerns about the proposed 307 unit apartment/condominium project (PLAN A). These concerns included the
density and similarity to the Lockwood Project, which the neighborhood strongly opposed to development on the same site
over three years ago. Other concerns expressed in October included the configuration of a widened Lien Rd.; the lack of “green
space;” buildings located in environmentally sensitive areas; and the appearance that few recommendations of the Ridgewood
Neighborhood East Central Development had been considered.
As a result of the concerns raised by residents at the October Meeting, Goldleaf Development withdrew their project for
consideration. It had been scheduled for presentation at the October 20 City of Madison Plan Commission Meeting.
Instead, Goldleaf Development entered into discussions with Santiago Rosas and Joe Campana to discuss how their project
may be improved to be accepted by the Ridgewood Neighborhood Association and the Friends of Starkweather Creek, a local environmental
group whose efforts are to restore vitality to the creek.
At this evening’s open house, Gold Leaf Development unveiled two new proposals (PLAN B and PLAN C) which are more
in agreement with the Ridgewood Neighborhood Plan, developed by the neighborhood a couple of years ago.
Both of these new plans show significantly increased green space and lower density. A comparison of some of the characteristics
of Plans A, B, and C are given below.
| Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | Apartment Units | 267 | 258 | 249 | Condominium Units | 40 | 16 | 18 | Total Units | 307 | 274 | 267 | | | | | Apartment Buildings | 6 | 7 | 6 | Condo Buildings | 10 | 4 | 3 | Total Buildings | 17 | 11 | 9 | | | | | Trip Generation | 2005 | 1804 | 1756 |
Plans B and C also include bike/walking trails and a
club house which would be accessible to the neighborhood. These features make the development integral
to the neighborhood. For example, the club house could be used by the neighborhood for neighborhood meetings.
The additional green space is located in an area that would also help recharge Starkweather Creek as would the “rain
gardens” proposed which will improve infiltration of rainwater from the roofs of the buildings. Higher
infiltration means more water to feed the Starkweather Creek Spring which is close by.
The living units proposed are primarily efficiency and one bedroom apartments (with
some two bedroom units) and condo units. Some of these would be economically priced. For example the condos
are expected to be in the $130 - $150,000 price range. Also, this mix of housing will not be attractive
to families with children, which will minimize any impact the development might have on local schools. An
important factor discussed by the residents and developer is that the development will be locally owned, developed, constructed,
and managed. Currently Gold Leaf Development owns, operates, and manages the Autumn Wood Apartments on
Lien Rd.
Gold Leaf Development, also included
an area in their development that could accommodate a neighborhood commercial business (for example, a coffee house, shop,
or eatery) in the bottom right of Plan B and Plan C, if such a commercial use would be appropriate and
economically feasible.
Also, Gold Leaf Development proposes
an alternative to a four-way intersection at Lien Rd. and Glacier Hill Drive (see Plan B). This alternative
can also be easily adapted to Plan C. Those residents that expressed a preference seemed to like Plan C (lowest density) with
the alternative intersection of Plan B.
Several residents expressed concerns
over the lack of detail on the City’s side of the project – the widening of Lien Rd. Those
details are not currently available from the City. The City will not complete the design of the new Lien
Rd until a developer has made a commitment. Gold Leaf Development has agreed to support the neighborhood
on Lien Rd designs that would help minimize additional traffic through our neighborhood from the development.
Gold Leaf Development has shown an interest and commitment
to work with the neighborhood by addressing neighborhood concerns over the last several weeks. Now it is time to comment on
these proposals so they can either move forward or terminate their project planning. Please complete the poll at
the right so our neighborhood leaders know how you would like them to proceed.
--Jeremy Kautza contributed to this report.
East District Police Station to be Built
By Jeremy Kautza, RNA Webmaster
November 3, 2003
East-side Madison residents won't have to wait much longer for a police station to be built on Madison's far east side.
Cap't. Jill Klubertanz indicated in an email to Ridgewood Neighborhood Association Co-Chair, Joe Campana, that planning and
design will commence sometime in 2004. The station is set to open sometime in 2005 at the corner of Cottage Grove Rd.
and N. Thompson Dr.
Residents will have a chance to look at preliminary plans and offer suggestions or concerns. This meeting will
take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003 at 7pm at 1201 Droster Rd.
Residents Meet with Gold Leaf
Register Significant Opposition to Autumnwood III Project
By Jeremy Kautza, RNA Webmaster
October 2, 2003
Madison--Residents of the Ridgewood Neighborhood
Association along with their Alder, Santiago Rosas, met with developers from Gold Leaf Development to hear and discuss a project
known as Autumnwood III.
At the October 2nd meeting residents heard about and saw new plans for the property
located to the north of Lien Road and west of the Interstate. After a short presentation by Gold Leaf, residents peppered
the developers with questions and concerns. By far the largest concerns were traffic congestion and safety, parking,
and whether the area could handle addtional development of this density.
Environmental concerns were
also registered and a representative from the Friends of Starkweather Creek expressed apprectiation for the efforts Gold Leaf
has made, but also reservation over an extremely environmentally sensitive area.
The neighborhood's Alder,
Santiago Rosas also cautioned the developers to expect a rough road on the way to committee and full council approval as he
saw several inconsistencies with a neighborhood-sponsored plan outlining what types of land use were desired for the property.
The plans have changed to some degree from the ones presented at a July meeting the developers had with neighborhood leaders.
"The new plan seems to be more congested" said Bob Schaefer, RNA Co-Chair. "I am concerned about the
properties immediately adjacent to Lien Road. They look much closer to the road than they did before."
A comparison of the two plans affirms this change. It also shows that buildings originally proposed
as townhouses and ranch-style homes along Lien Road have been changed to condiminium style housing. Surface parking
has also been reduced, especially to the rear of the complex. Gold Leaf said sufficient underground parking will be
available according to their studies.
At the end of the meeting Gold Leaf developers expressed some frustration
over what seemed like a neighborhood change in sentiment. Although no decisions were made at the meeting to go ahead
with the project, modify it, or oppose it altogether, Gold Leaf wants to act quickly so they can get the plan approved before
the city adopts a new inclusionary zoning ordinance. With such an ordinance in place, Gold Leaf has hinted that they
would not develop the property and instead sell it to someone else for possible development.
One resident expressed his displeasure with the plans, but likened it to his grandmother's beef stew. "I
don't like beef stew," he said. "But grandma, if I am going to eat beef stew, it's going to be yours."
The analogy suggested that this resident thinks something will eventually be built on the property and that this plan
seemed palatable. In fact, others could be far worse.
Several residents echoed this sentiment.
In addition, not all in attendance were opposed to Gold Leaf's Proposal. In fact, several commented that plans looked
very nice. One resident, however, reminded them of glut of multi-unit housing properties in the area.
When asked if more of this type of residential development was truly needed in this area, however, Gold Leaf developers
responded that they wouldn't be risking millions of dollars into a project they thought wouldn't serve a need.
"There just isn't much of this type of housing available in the entire city."
Plans Unveiled
GoldLeaf
Seeks Neighborhood Input on Proposed Autumnwood III Development
By Jeremy Kautza; RNA Webmaster
June
26, 2003
Preliminary plans were unveiled and input sought on a new residential development proposed for the
north side of Lien Road between Zeier Road and the Interstate. The plans were unveiled at the RNA Open House where about
25 residents asked questions about the project and offered suggestions for improvement. One of the largest concerns
dealt with traffic on Lien Road (see related story below). The Friends of Starkweather Creak (on the northern edge of
the property) also expressed several environmental concerns.
GoldLeaf personnel were receptive to the concerns and
would like to proceed to the next phase of the project, but want to garner the full support of the neighborhood before proceding.
The developer is working closely with the RNA after a different proposal (from a different developer) was overwhelmingly opposed
by the RNA. Joe Campana, RNA Co-Chair, thanked GoldLeaf for their willingness to involve the neighborhood in the planning
process.
Those in attendance voted 16-5 (with several undecideds) to have GoldLeaf proceed with the next phase
of the project. Autumnwood III would be the third multi-unit property in the neighborhood. The other two properties
are directly across Lien Road to the South.
Clean Fill Site Proposed East-Side Public Works Facility Would
Operate
By Jeremy Kautza; RNA Webmaster
June 26, 2003
The City of Madison
Department of Public Works is working on getting final approvals for a Clean Fill Site to be located on Madison's Far
East Side. The site, currently being used as a storage area for fill is behind the East Side Public Works Facility at
4602 Sycamore Ave.
City Engineers indicated in a public information session that fill was being hauled to
the site already and that this plan would better organize the operations as well as restrict the types of fill being brought
to the site. Examples of acceptable fill include debris from water main reconstruction. No garbage or other potentially
hazardous material would be allowed. In addition, only fill as a result of city of Madison operations would be accepted.
The site would not be open to private contractors.
The project would include the creation of several retaining-type
walls over several decades. There is approximately 200,000 cubic yards of capacity at the site. The walls would
allow the city to eventually level off the land with topsoil and/or slabs for future buildings the Department of Public Works
or other City of Madison Department could use.
The project will also include a fence around the area and preserve
the natural wooded area that is currently adjacent to homes on Westend Circle.
Nelson Development on Park Meadow Dr.
By Joe Campana, RNA Co-Chair
January 13, 2003--Nelson Development has the approval of the neighborhood and the City to develop about 20 affordably priced
(approximately $160,000) single family homes on Park Meadow Dr. Our neighborhood reviewed their project plans in July of 2001
at an "on-site" public forum. Nelson Development has sold some of the lots to Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitatdane.org/
and Operation Fresh Start http://www.operationfreshstart.org, which has resulted in some rumors and questions being spread
throughout the neighborhood.
Homes built under these programs are sold for 10-15% less because they are built with volunteer help including the purchaser's
own efforts. Everyone recognizes Jimmy Carter's work and worldwide recognition in building homes for Habitat for Humanity.
The volunteer workers on the local projects will include MATC apprentices as well as many others who are approved and highly
experienced in the home construction industry. I understand that the project manager for the Habitat for Humanity Homes has
significantly more experience than his counterparts for other major builders in our neighborhood. The families who will occupy
these homes are middle income Americans, like you and I, except they do not have the high down payment needed to purchase
their own home. As everyone should be aware, housing costs in Dane County are among the highest in then nation. Affordable
housing is a crisis, and you will hear of it during the next couple of months for the mayoral election. Not only are local
politicians making it a election issue, but President Bush has also declared affordable housing at a crisis stage.
If there is sufficient interest (questions and concerns), I am willing to organize a neighborhood forum to have Habitat
for Humanity and Operation Fresh Start representatives come and present their projects and views to our neighborhoods.
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