FROM THE ISTHMUS—On July 24, Monona’s Community Development Authority approved an agreement with Galway Companies to redevelop the area along the Yahara River, just north of the Beltline. The 20-acre site is a triangle, bordered by Bridge Road, West Broadway and the river. The $37 million project, dubbed Yahara Commons, has been in the works for years, but is expected to finally break ground soon.
“Locally, on the Monona level we don’t have anywhere that has a downtown, central business district feel, a gathering place with commercial uses you can walk to and recreate, like a traditional downtown,” says Sonja Reichertz, Monona’s city planner and economic development director. But more importantly — from the perspective of Madison residents — the project could give people a reason to go to Monona. The proposed development, which is directly off the popular Lake Monona bicycle loop, includes plans for a half-acre park, riverfront promenade, restaurant and cafe.
“If you’re on the southern end, there’s absolutely nowhere to stop and get a bite to eat or a drink,” says Reichertz. “As far as a regional destination and a draw, we thought that was kind of exciting.”
