Say goodbye to GEF 1 (the rendering stage)

 

Wisconsin State Journal, 5/28/2021

Under the plan, the two museums now located at the top of State Street would be moved to a new site, called Block 108, bounded by the 200 blocks of East Washington Avenue and East Main Street, and 10 blocks of South Butler and Webster streets. 

The redevelopment would require the demolition of the unloved, four-story, 271,493-square-foot General Executive Facility, or GEF 1, which was built in 1971-72 in the Brutalist style and has housed the Department of Children and Families, Workforce Development and a parking garage. 

The strategic plan also envisions redeveloping the current GEF 2 and GEF 3 buildings to create space for the departments of Administration, Natural Resources, Public Instruction and Health Services, Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and perhaps others on a site called Block 107 bounded by East Main, South Webster, South Butler and King streets.

 

Original 2/5/2021 post, "Say goodbye to GEF 1 (the proposal stage), starts here.

Photo by Retiring Guy

Wisconsin State Journal, 1/25/2021

The new site, which holds the four-story, 271,493-square-foot General Executive Facility, or GEF 1, is bounded by the 200 blocks of East Washington Avenue and East Main Street, and 10 blocks of South Butler and Webster streets. 

GEF 1, which would be demolished, built in 1971-72 in the Brutalist style, is widely unloved for its uninspiring design and concrete, windowless first-floor walls that deaden the streetscape on all sides. It currently houses the state departments of Children and Families and Workforce Development and a parking garage.

Related reading: 
Mr. Evers, tear down GEF's walls.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 2/9/2021)

The new location, where GEF 1 stands now, should make it easier and faster to gain approval and break ground. The new museum will provide the public with world-class history exhibits, gathering spaces and distance-learning technology. It’s expected to attract 150,000 visitors a year and double student visits to 50,000. Downtown Madison would have another draw.