The Brayton Lot Redevelopment serves as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to place a model development in the heart of downtown. This opportunity gives us the ability to increase the availability of housing at a time when fairness in housing choice is sparse to many current and prospective Madison area families. Alders Field, Govindarajan, Figueroa Cole, and Bennett have proposed a revision to the height map to increase the availability of housing on the Brayton Lot from 4 stories to 10 stories on the East Main St side. It is our hope that this change will allow us to choose among the best proposals at this quintessential site.

Before we get wrapped around the idea of a height amendment, let us dispel one important misunderstanding that may arise: Amending the height map to 10 stories does not necessarily mean that we will get a 10 story building. This change provides us the CHOICE of a higher and more dense development.

Although, an increase in stories may not necessarily lead to a higher number of 30% - 50% area median income units. Increasing stories will most certainly increase affordable working-class units in the 60-80% area median income units. Though that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A change in 4 to 10 stories is the difference between about 125 units in a building.

The reason why the city must revisit the height map is predicated on the idea of removing obstacles to housing. When reviewing the plans and proposed amendment, I urge you to ask: What is the downside of giving ourselves all the available tools to allow respondents to the request for proposals (RFP) for the Brayton Lot to be as creative and flexible as possible?

Sign this petition to indicate your support for rezoning the E Main Street side of the zoning overlay from 4 stories to 10 stories. Help us expand opportunities for development and neighborhood imagination on the lot.

It is time we increase the availability of housing in high-opportunity areas and relieve pressure to build in historic districts in the city.