Urban League Looks to Develop Another Major Project on Madison’s South Park Street

The Urban League of Greater Madison (Madison, WI) wants to partner with Madison’s Community Development Authority to build on the “South Madison Renaissance,” an effort led by people of color to remake and redevelop parts of the south side with a community focus and without displacing the families that currently live there. 

The Urban League is one of three finalists vying to redevelop the former transit transfer point at the corner of South Park Street and Badger Road. In its proposal, the group says it wants to “collaborate closely with the city of Madison and CDA on a transformational master plan for the [South Transfer Point] area that can serve as a model of racial equity, inclusive economic opportunity, and sustainability.” 

Urban League, in partnership with Centro Hispano and Madison College, argues it is “uniquely positioned to ensure that the proposed redevelopment will connect all of the components of the BIPOC-led ‘South Madison Renaissance’ that has been occurring in the area. This will include linkage to the Madison College Goodman South Campus and its forthcoming Child Development Center, the ULGM Black Business Hub, the new Centro Hispano Calli, the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, and many other opportunities to create a collective of destination spaces.” Urban League, Centro Hispano, and the southside campus of Madison College are located within about a block of the redevelopment area.

Edward Lee, Urban League’s senior vice president, declined to comment on the proposal, noting it is still part of a competitive application process. The group says its plan would focus on racial equity and social justice, seeking to involve people of color in every aspect of the project, from physical construction to financing and development. Tasked with running community engagement efforts as part of the partnership, Urban League says it would focus on “diverse communities that have historically called South Madison home.”

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