Redevelopment/construction UPDATE: Former Central High/MATC now eyed for workforce housing

Photo by Retiring Guy

Headline:  Wisconsin State Journall, 5/7/2022

Missouri-based hotel company Drury Southwest had been renting the entire site from MATC, also called Madison College, and had received city permission to develop a 310-room hotel there. The plans called for redevelopment of the six-story MATC building into the 195-room hotel, with the vacant land along Wisconsin Avenue to be replaced with an eight-story hotel addition. 

The initial ground lease called for construction between 2019 and 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic stalled the project. “This block has been sitting in ruins,” said Downtown Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District. 

“Redevelopment of this block is now long overdue. I welcome movement and certainly providing affordable housing at this site is a wonderful goal.”

9/27/2021 update, "Plans stalled for big hotel at former downtown MATC site (September site visit)", stats here.

In Business

Photos by Retiring Guy

Wisconsin State Jounral, 7/17/2021

Drury Southwest paid its $700,000 rent last year, Thomas said, but is delinquent so far on this year’s $700,000 payment. 

MATC hasn’t earmarked money from the lease for any specific expense, such as student scholarships or staff salaries. “The college is working with Drury to understand what, if any, future revenue impacts there may be and will adjust its budget accordingly,” Thomas said.

2/13/2020 update starts here.

Photos and video by Retiring Guy

Big hotel approved for downtown MATC site.  (Madison.com, 9/18/2018)

The Plan Commission on a unanimous voice vote late Monday night approved Drury Southwest’s proposal to renovate MATC’s six-story Downtown education center, 211 N. Carroll St., into a 199-room Drury Plaza Hotel and replace an existing parking area along Wisconsin Avenue with a new structure offering first-floor commercial space, four levels of parking and 116 more hotel rooms.

Original 6/11/2017 post, "Downtown Madison MATC campus proposal", starts here.

View from East Dayton between Wisconsin Avenue and North Pinckney

Photos by Retiring Guy

At the midpoint of Wisconsin Avenue between W. Dayton and W. Johnson

MATC officials recommend Hovde plan for hotel, offices at Downtown campus site.  (Madison.com, 4212017)

The project, a partnership between Hovde and hotel developer Drury Southwest of Missouri, calls for remodeling the college’s existing building at 211 N. Carroll St. to open a 197-room hotel. On the other half of the block, Hovde would construct a building facing Wisconsin Avenue with offices, retail space and a grocery store.

Rendering:  Hovde Properties

Other Towering Isthumus posts:

Urban Land Interests UPDATE. 20 months later, ground floor corner office space remains vacant.  (11/18/2019)
UPDATE. AC Hotel, Madison WI: A view from the 10th floor bar.  (11/12/2019)
The Towering Isthmus UPDATE. Uncommon rebranded: Still an ugly behemoth no matter what the name.  (4/21/2019)
The Towering Isthmus UPDATE. Keeping tabs on hubbA HubBa, better known as the James Apartments.  (4/21/2019)
UPDATE: Boutique or not boutique? That is the question. (4/8/2019)
151 East Wilson UPDATE. Final shots from John Nolen Drive.  (1/4/2019)
The Towering Isthmus UPDATE: 12-story apartment building on Charter Street up for consideration again.  (12/17/2018)
East Washington Corridor UPDATE. Side street visual inspection.  (9/12/2017)
UPDATE:  Another look at Ovation 309.  (10/22/2016)
UPDATE.  Capitol's Edge Apartments, the final shots.  (9/16/2016)
Another development starts to rise along East Washington Avenue.  (8/23/2016)
UPDATE:  The Lux on West Johnson Street.  (1/15/2016)
UPDATE.  The Towers of Porta Bella.  (8/13/2015)
670,000 square foot development risin' on the 800 block of East Washington.  (4/19/2015)
Sleeping and entertainment destination to rise in the middle of this photo.  (1/11/2015)
The Towering Isthmus: A behemoth hogs the skyline from Bascom Hill.  (12/4/2014)
Cranes at dusk.  (12/11/2014)
The Hub, the new hulk in town.  (11/16/2014)
North Bedford Street Project Still in the Proposal Stage.  (11/11/2014)
Coming soon: Another chapter in The Towering Isthmus Saga? (9/19/2014)
Blue Velvet.  (9/10/2014)
The New Edgewater Hotel gets ready for its fireworks celebration.  (9/10/2014)
Among the first wave of towers on the Isthmus.  (9/9/2014)
For those of you who haven't stood at the intersection of West Gilman and State Street in Madison Wisconsin lately.  (9/9/2014)
A tree grows on West Gilman Street.  (9/9/2014)
Nobly or otherwise, this is no longer the question.  (9/8/2014)
The towering isthmus (left to right).  (8/27/2014)
The Towering Isthmus (and the 3 cranes): For folks who can afford the view.  (7/22/2014)
That Was Then, This is Now: The 400 Block of West Gilman.  (7/18/2014)
New housing rising.  (5/8/2014)