This is from Marsha Rummel and its actually about a week old, but still good info.
On March 5, I introduced a resolution by title only to authorize a letter of intent to sell Union Corners to Gorman and Company. The purchase agreement details are still being worked out as I write this. City Real Estate staff and Gorman and Company representatives have been meeting regularly and both sides express optimism that an agreement will be reached. TIF is part of the negotiation. I expect there will be an announcement as soon as next week.
Gorman and Company is working with the UW Medical Foundation to open a UW Health Clinic at the corner of Milwaukee St and E Washington Ave.
Gorman and Company has been talking to the Williamson St Grocery Cooperative about opening a store in phase one of the project and the Coop has expressed interest in locating their third store at Union Corners.
Gorman and Company has been engaged in an extended conversation with Independent Living and OutReach to investigate opportunities to develop LGBTQ senior housing at Union Corners.
Discussions with Madison Public Library staff to relocate the Hawthorne Library branch to Union Corners have been underway but if that happens, construction would most likely take place in phase two of the project.
Once an agreement is finalized, the letter of intent will be referred to the Board of Estimates, Economic Development Commission, Plan Commission and finally to the Common Council for approval. Then there will be an agreed upon amount of time for Gorman and Company to go through the land use approval process. During that time, there will be additional opportunities for neighborhood and public review and input.
The City bought the 11.4 acre Union Corners site for $3.57 million in December 2010 as part of the then new landbanking program. The city issued a request for development proposals (RFP) in June 2012. Five developers responded to the City’s RFP, including a neighborhood group. Gorman and Livesey/Stone House emerged as the two finalists and Gorman and Company was selected by the Ad Hoc Union Corners Selection committee on November 1, 2012.
Union Corners offers an exciting and long-awaited opportunity at city-building. Thanks to neighbors and stakeholders in SASY, Worthington Park, Emerson East, Eken Park and Friends of Union Corners for years of collaboration and visioning.
