Royster Corners redevelopment, Madison WI: September 2022 construction site visit

Screenshots and video by Retiring Guy

3/5/2022 update starts here 

Photo and videos by Retiring Guy

3/20/2021 update starts here

1/17/2020 update starts here

Photos by Retiring Guy

New Pinney Library gala opening is set for February 29, 2020.  (Project status.)

Royster Corners floor plans

1 bedroom/1 bath (794 square feet, $1200-$1300/month

1 bedroom with den (1052 square feet, $1400/month)

Pinney Branch Library construction progress.



1/6/2019 update starts here.



Pinney library branch to close Nov. 30, relocate to interim site next year.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 11/30/2018)

Pinney’s last day open at 204 Cottage Grove Road on the city’s East Side is Nov. 30. The interim site is at the former Ace Hardware store at 211 Cottage Grove Road. The city is building a site for the branch at 516 Cottage Grove Road that is expected to open in spring 2020. 

“Multiple project delays meant that we reached the end of our lease at our current Pinney Library before the new Pinney Library was completed, leaving a significant service gap between having to vacate the current site and relocating to the new library,” said Greg Mickells, Madison Public Library director.

 
4/14/2016 update starts here.

It wasn't clear from my recent (April 12) visit about the status of removing or capping the "problematic soil".

Slight setback at the Royster-Clark site.

After cleanup, Royster-Clark site re-contaminated with tainted fill material.   (Madison.com, 2/8/2016)

An $400,000 in costs and additional project complications.  Since the late 2000s, millions of dollars have been spent demolishing the eight-story Royster-Clark fertilizer plant on Madison’s East Side and cleaning up the ground underneath and around it. Plans call for replacing the hulking eyesore along Cottage Grove Road with a $65.9 million development containing hundreds of housing units interspersed with commercial space and a centerpiece new Pinney Branch library.

The latest photos.  (February 9, 2016)

The view from across Cottage Grove Road.

With access roads within the site now paved, I was able obtain these additional views.

From the snow-swept Royster/Pinney roundabout.

Closer to Dempsey Road.

I expected to see more progress made during this visit.  (Tuesday, November 10, 2015)

Two of the multi-unit buildings are taking shape.  (Retiring Guy photo taken on Tuesday, August 11, 2015)

Still a lot of development to go.  (Retiring Guy photo taken on Dempsey Road near the Capital City Trail crossing on Tuesday, August 11, 2015)

Newly laid curb on Royster Oaks Drive.  (Photo taken on Tuesday, May 12, 2015)

Original post beings here.

And as you can see, the site development work is now underway where the hulking, long-abandoned Royster-Clark fertilizer plant was located.

Photo by Retiring Guy

Eventually, the above view will look something like this.

Rendering credit:  Knothe Bruce Architects

The intersection of Cottage Grove and Dempsey roads on Madison's east side.

Photo by Retiring Guy

Capital Times.  One of the buildings will feature new space for a relocated Pinney Library on the first floor with three floors of apartments above. The other building is similar with commercial space on the ground floor and apartments above.

Screenshot from "Preliminary Royster Corners Development - Madison, Wisconsin".  (Uploaded 9/12/2011.)white

A view from Dempsey Road, 1/2 block north of Cottage Grove Road.   A 2009 planning document calls this site "the largest urban infill opportunity currently available in Madison."

Photo by Retiring Guy

A view of a portion of the 27 acres of the development property, looking west along the Capital City bike trail.

Photo by Retiring Guy

City of Madison.   Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development.  Royster-Clark special area plan.

Related post:
2015 Madison Public Library capital budget with future year estimates (2016-2020).  (9/24/2014)

Reenvisioning The Triangle in downtown Madison WI

Google Maps

Wisconsin State Journal, 7/5/2021

The roughly 26-acre Triangle bounded by South Park and Regent streets and West Washington Avenue was once the core of the low-income, multiethnic Greenbush neighborhood razed amid national urban renewal efforts in the 1960s. 

Today, the Triangle includes about 340 housing units at five sites and a small Asian grocery store on 10.5 acres owned by the CDA; housing and community center owned by the nonprofit Bayview Foundation, formed in 1966 to support culturally diverse, low-income families, many of them immigrant refugees from Southeast Asia; a UW Health clinic; and Select Specialty Hospital.

Original 1/27/2019 post, "Madison Public Library clippings files:  Madison urban renewal (part 3, the Triangle, 1970-1979)", starts here.

December 21, 1970

Number key:

1.  *Medical office building

2.  Medical office building

3.  Motel/hotel/shopping center complex

4.  *Extended care convalescent facility

2 for 4 completed.

1971

April 23, 1971

September 12, 1973

The hotel would have been constructed at the point where West Washington and South Park meet.  (At top center-left of photo) 

July 5, 1975

August 19, 1979

Other MPL clippings file posts:
Madison urban renewal (part 2, the Triangle, 1964-1969) . (1/27/2019)
Madison urban renewal, part 1 (1962-1964).  (1/27/2019) 
Downtown Madison parking ramps (1956-1971).  (1/22/2019)
History of the Dane County airport.  (12/21/2018)
City's first skywalk opens in 1966.  (10/9/2017)
Typewriter art.  (10/9/2017)
Proudfit and Regent streets widening, 1955.  (9/30/2017)
Northport Connector project, 1960.  (9/30/2017)
Regent Street extension beyond Rosa Road, another bad idea left on the drawing board.  (5/27/2017) 
Drake Street extension, a bad idea left on the drawing board.  (5/26/2017)

The lasting power of microfilm at the Madison Public Library

Photos by Retiring Guy

Peek-a-boo

Related reading:
Microfilm Lasts Half a Millennium.  (The Atlantic, 7/22/2018)

And yet the microfilm machine is still widely used. It has centuries of lasting power ahead of it, and new models are still being manufactured. It’s a shame that no intrigue will greet their arrival, because these machines continue to prove essential for preserving and accessing archival materials.

Related post:
The weeding of print reference collections in two photos.  (2/25/2020)

The weeding of print reference collections in two photos

As observed through the years at the Madison Public Library

2009

Photos by Retiring Guy

2020

UPDATE: Visualizing the original Madison Public Library on West Mifflin Street

From Retiring Guy's postcard collection

Original 4/4/2009 post, "Visualing a new Madison Public Library", starts here.

"What would a remodeled Central Library look like?"  (Capital Times, 4/3/2009)  

So, I was at this meeting last week and was fascinated by Hammel, Green and Abrahamson's presentation on what could be done with the Central Library in terms of remodeling it.  I noticed Chris Rickert was there for the State Journal, so I saved writing about this untiol I could procure some of the visuals that HGA provided -- it's one thing to try to describe a rooftop expansion, but it's quite another to be able to show you exactly what I saw and let you see directly what $10 to $14 million can buy for the Central Library.

Related posts:
Madison Public Central Library: Henry and Fairchild Approaches (June 2012 to July 2013).  (7/3/2013)
Madison's New Central Library: Clearly Identified.  (6/21/2013)
Sideways library.  (6/5/2013)
Madison Public Central Library: Henry and Fairchild Approaches.  (4/2/2013)
Progress report:  4th revised edition, abridged.  (2/28/2013)
Progress report:  3rd revised edition, abridged.  (1/15/2013)
Progress report:  3rd revised edition. (1/15/2013
Progress report, 2nd revised edition.  (11/3/2012)
Progress report.  (8/18/2012)
Work in progress. (6/5/2012)
Construction kickoff ceremony.  (3/28/2012)
Findorff awarded Madison Public Library construction contract.  (3/1/2012)
City of Madison to Rebid Central Library Project. (12/22/2011)
Madison Community Foundation awards $500,000 grant for new Madison Central Library.   (12/16/2011)
Retiring Guy takes a last look at the 1960s-era Madison Central Library.  (11/13/2011)
Madison Central Library prepares for move to temporary facility. (11/9/2011)
Madison Public Library misses cut on $4.5 million tax credit.  (9/14/2011)
Board to consider Plan B financing.  (9/1/2011)
Central library to relocate in November.  (7/27/2011)
Central library reconstruction project to proceed.  (4/29/2011)
Negotiations continue.  (4/27/2011)
Central library not a major issue with candidate or mayor Soglin. (4/19/2011) Soglin wants to make sure ducks are in a row for Central Library Project.  (4/16/2011)
Latest design review.  (4/8/2011)
Midway Design presentation for Madison Central Library.  (2/25/2011)
Final design for renovated central library unveiled.  (12/8/2010)

Designing a new central library:  "Everyone has to feel comfortable and safe here".  (11/17/2010)

Interview with principal architect of Central Library project.  (11/5/2010)

Design development juggling acts for a renovated Madison Central Library. (10/15/2010)

Conceptual designs for new Central Library.  (10/25/2010)

One possible message:  Don't settle for less.  (8/5/2010)

Downsizing the Madison Central Library renovation project. (7/17/2010)

Possible temporary location has asbestos problem.  (6/18/2010)

Architectural firm selected for Madison Central project.  (5/26/2010)

State Journal editorial board sez Madison City Council made right decision on Central Library. (5/10/2010)

Council vote on library goes under the radar.  (5/8/2010)

And the beat goes on.  (4/14/2010)

Mayor Responds to Critics on Library Issue.  (4/13/2010)

Board Endorses Renovation Plan.  (4/6/2010)

Keeping the dream of a new Madison Central Library alive. (3/31/2010)

Some Council Members Not Ready to Move Forward on Mayor's Renovation Plan.  (3/30/2010)

Council President Pro Tem to Introduce Resolution Approving Madison Central Library Renovation Project.  (3/28/2010)

'Dissatisfaction' with Collapsed Madison Central Library Project. (3/25/2010)

Fiore Departure Seen as Beneficial to Madison Central Project.  (3/23/2010)

Matter of Principle" Dooms New Central Madison Library.  (3/20/2010)

Madison Central: The Dream Dies, It's Now Time to Renovate. (3/19/2010)

Dispute over Construction Costs Threatens to Derail New Central Madison Library. (3/17/2010)

Madison Public Library Project Faces Delay in 2011. (3/9/2010)

Construction, Cost Concerns May Delay Madison Central Library Project. (1/25/2010)

New Madison Central Library Wins Council Approval. (11/11/2009)Capital Times Endorses New Madison Central Library. (11/10/2009)

Madison Council Begins Review of Mayor's Budget on Tuesday. (11/6/2009)

More Questions About Madison Central Library Project. (11/1/2009)

New Madison Public Library's First Change Order: Rooftop Garden.
(10/28/2009)

Call for Referendum on New Madison Central Library Not Attracting Support. (10/21/2009)

Madison Board of Estimates Rejects Library Referendum. (10/13/2009)

Some Madison City Council Members Want Referendum on New Central Library. (10/9/2009)

Three former mayors support new Madison Central Library. (10/5/2010)

Wisconsin State Journal Editorial on New Madison Central Library. (9/13/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Let the Positioning Begin. (9/1/2009)

New Madison Central Library on Mayor Dave's Front Burner. (8/30/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Build or Renovate? (7/7/2009)

Motley Brown Not Reason Enough. (6/11/2009)

Fiore Plan Receives Unanimous Support. (6/5/2009)

Fiore Plan Gets Nod from Committee. (5/15/2009)

Public Forum Focuses on Central Library Options. (4/24/2009)

Developer Sweetens the Deal. (4/21/2009)

Visualizing a Remodeled Madison Central Library. (4/4/2009)

Renovation Plan Put on Table for Madison Central Library. (3/26/2009)

Residents Critique Proposals to Rebuild Downtown Library. (1/9/2009)

Competing Developers Defend Their Central Library Plans. (1/8/2009)

Comparison of Downtown Madison Library Proposals. (12/17/2008)

Two Proposals for New Madison Central Library. (12/3/2008)

Best Headline of the Week. (9/6/2008)

From the Madison Public Library local history files: What we did before Excel (1987)

Other MPL local history posts:
From the Madison Public Library local history files: Dreaming of a bigger and better Dane County Expo Center (1979).  (4/18/2019) 

From the Madison Public Library clippings files: Dane County Memorial Coliseum (1967 grand opening)

From a special insert in the Wisconsin State Journal

Related links
1964 photo of model of proposed coliseum.  (Wisconsin Historical Society)
1968 photo from Eugene McCarthy rally. (Wisconsin Historical Society)
List of concerts (rocktourdatabase is incomplete)
Pink Floyd.  (3/4/1973)

More from the Madison Public Library clippings files:
April 2019
Somewhat misleading headline from 1967.  (4/14/2019)
Vilas Park Zoo worker attacked by elephant (1977). (4/8/2019)
Middleton High School student survey on drinking and drugs (1969).  (4/6/2019)
The deaths of Annie and Annette, Vilas Park Zoo elephants (1948-49).  (4/5/2019)
State Street, that great street for teens hanging out. (1959)  (4/4/2019)
Coffee house scene (1967).  (4/3/2017)
Racial animosities mar teen dances (1967-1968).  (4/2/2019)

March 2019
Then and now, 7219 Franklin Avenue, Middleton WI.  (3/20/2019)
Middleton post-World War II population boom.  (3/18/2019)

February 2019
Residents don't want Willy Street to lose its unique character (1994-2002). (2/21/2019)
A time traveler from 1956 wouldn't recognize the place now.  (2/21/2019)
Remembering the hot-rodders of East Wash (1980-1999).  (2/19/2019)
UPDATE,  Eventually, we'll work our way back to the horse and buggy era.  (2/18/2019)
The Battle of Stonefield in Middleton (1986).  (2/18/2019)
An expressway like a dagger through the heart.  (2/7/2019)
Not to worry, folks, Wisconsin public television survived.  (2/5/2019)

Janaury 2019
Downtown/University area urban renewal, 1971-1981 (1/28/2019)
Madison urban renewal, part 3, the Triangle, 1970-1979.  (1/27/2019)
Madison urban renewal, part 2, the Triangle, 1964-1969 . (1/27/2019)
Madison urban renewal, part 1, 1962-1964.  (1/27/2019) 
Downtown Madison parking ramps, 1956-1971.  (1/22/2019)

2018
History of the Dane County airport.  (12/21/2018)

2017
City's first skywalk opens in 1966.  (10/9/2017)
Typewriter art.  (10/9/2017)
Proudfit and Regent streets widening, 1955.  (9/30/2017)
Northport Connector project, 1960.  (9/30/2017)
Regent Street extension beyond Rosa Road, another bad idea left on the drawing board.  (5/27/2017)