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Wisconsin Rapids former Paper Mill: a Data Center?

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WIS. (WITH EXCERPTS FROM WPR.ORG) Once Wisconsin’s largest paper mill, a century-old facility in Wisconsin Rapids closed in 2020. In 2021 it became the focus of “Rapid Renewal,” a proposed plan for recovery and redevelopment developed by Vandewalle & Associates. After the facility owner’s attempts to restart the mill or find a buyer failed, it was torn down in 2025. Now the city is considering a new proposal for the 220-acre site: a data center.

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Watertown looks at comprehensive zoning code rewrite

WATERTOWN, WIS. (EXCERPTS FROM WDTIMES.COM) — The Watertown Plan Commission met recently to discuss its comprehensive zoning code rewrite. Associate Planner Sonja Kruesel of Vandewalle & Associates presented a comprehensive view and a new zoning map, explained its new mix of upzoning and downzoning.

“The Corridor Mixed-Use District allows for a greater mix of land uses than the General Business District used to,” she said. Upzoning increases the development density or uses of the land, such as having a smaller minimum lot area or reduced setbacks. Downzoning is the opposite, reducing permitted uses via the assigned district (for example, from commercial to residential).

You can read the WDTIMES.COM article here.

Big changes coming to the Alliant Energy Center

MADISON, WIS. (FULL VIDEO WOWT.COM): The first major piece of Alliant Energy Center’s long-term redevelopment plan is moving forward after the Madison Urban Design Commission unanimously approved plans for the Exhibition Hall expansion Wednesday, with conditions requiring revisions to the project’s landscaping.

In Memoriam: Brian E. Vandewalle

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Community Partners, 

With heavy hearts, Vandewalle & Associates informs you of the passing of our Founder and CEO, Brian Vandewalle (1948–2026). 

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Waterloo River Lights Experience brings community together

WATERLOO, IOWA – Waterloo’s River Lights Experience is featured in this issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine. The article explores how the dynamic new programmed lighting installation not only highlights the falls and the 4th Street Bridge, it also brings the community together in a shared experience of energy and color.

The bridge and this part of the river had long been seen as a physical and socio-economic barrier between parts of the community. In his lighting ceremony address, Mayor Quentin Hart explained the transformation and its importance to the community this way. “I want it, once and for all, to transform this archaic symbol of division into a modern celebration of unity.”

Vandewalle & Associates and Eye Level Studio helped the City envision the transformation lighting could make to this section of the falls, and worked with Shakespeare Lighting and Rutland-Kuiper Architects to bring it to fruition.

Wisconsin Policy Forum looks at data center impacts

WISCONSIN, USA (EXCERPTS FROM https://wispolicyforum.org/): Several massive data centers are being planned in Wisconsin to help power the global boom in artificial intelligence. The centers would add demand for electricity and water, but do so after years of declining usage of both. Given that planned and potential data centers could require costly utility upgrades, it will be important to ensure those potential costs are fairly distributed.

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Rise Madison Grand Opening

MADISON, WISC – Rise Madison is an all-affordable housing community in Madison, Wisconsin. It opened with four buildings (Hawthorne Pointe, The Starling, Vireo Townhomes; the fourth, The Phoebe, is expected in early October). whpc.com

The development has 245 units (one‑, two‑, and three‑bedroom) for families and seniors, with income restrictions between ~30‑80% of Area Median Income (AMI). 

Amenities include ~1.5 acres of green/open space, playground, community rooms, fitness rooms, rooftop plaza, underground parking; the site is well connected (public transit, schools, clinics). 

Funding sources include LIHTC (4%), tax‑exempt bonds, TIF, and state grants.

Block party launches Oaks of Jackson neighborhood

WASHINGTON CO. WISC. – On Wednesday, October 15 from 4-7 pm, the homeowners association of the Oaks of Jackson hosts its first ever community block party. Sponsors for the event include planners Vandewalle & Associates, as well as builders Harbor Homes and Hillcrest, and SEH the engineer/planner.

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Proven Principles Address the Housing Shortage

MADISON, WISC. For cities and villages in Dane County interested in addressing the housing shortage, the Grandview Commons residential mixed-use neighborhood on Madison’s far east side provides a real-world example of bringing together different types and densities of housing in one neighborhood, at a range of price points.

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New Affordable Housing on Madison’s East Side

MADISON (WKOW) — Rise Madison, a new affordable housing development geared toward working individuals, families and senior opened at 958 Rise Lane, at the intersection of East Washington and N. Fair Oaks Avenues.

The Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp., nonprofit owner and developer of the housing project, worked with developers and the City to bring about the project.

Affordable housing is much needed in Wisconsin’s fastest growing county. Local leaders expressed their hopes for the development and the opportunities it will give Madison residents.

Colorful tree for a colorful guy: an update

MADISON, WISC. – On July 8, a close group of Vandewalle & Associates employees present and past, along with members of the Slavney family, gathered in a private informal ceremony to honor the memory and legacy of community service of the late Mike Slavney, FAICP. A young Serviceberry tree was planted in tribute on the V&A grounds.

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Bayside approves $40M senior apartments with a full range of care options

BAYSIDE, WIS. – Bayside will soon get 153 new senior housing units in the OneNorth development at Port Washington Road and Brown Deer Road, offering the ability to provide a full range of senior care: Independent living, age-in-place assisted living, and memory care. This need was identified in the community’s updated Comprehensive Plan.

Not all assisted living or communities are fully continuity-of-care equipped. It’s an important factor to consider for the aging process, helping helps keep people in the community they know even as their needs change. The surrounding mixed-use development is expected to offer other walkable amenities seniors appreciate, such as a new library.

The apartments raise the 26-acre OneNorth development’s total investment to $100 million, Scott Yauck, Cobalt Partners president and chief executive officer, told the Journal Sentinel in November. In 2021, the village approved a tax incremental financing district that will help fund development on the site with $35 million in village financing.

Public engagement throughout the Comprehensive and OneNorth planning processes has helped the community express preferences and evolve the entire development to be closer to community goals.

Construction has now started, with the goal of completion by early 2027.

Madison’s Regent Street: unique, vital, and transforming

MADISON, WIS. – A public-private partnership led by the Regent Street Group has big ideas to turn a mile-long stretch of Madison’s Regent Street into a year-round entertainment district that plays on the area’s assets. Serving as a both a major transportation corridor and activity zone for UW Sports event-goers, it serves the diverse needs of students, healthcare workers, businesses, and neighborhood residents.

The area has already seen a dramatic increase in redevelopment and development density. But more transformation, much more, is coming.

In March, Rob Gottschalk from Vandewalle & Associates gave a well-received presentation on Regent Street. He explained the urgency to shape an aspirational vision now. He also shared some of the big ideas from the partnership. The goal is to inspire, secure Regent Street’s distinct character, and help shape the coming transformation to include a place for all users.