Retiring Guy's Digest: You won't be seeing this monstrosity going up at the intersection of University Avenue and Allen Boulevard in Middleton Wisconsin

Rendering: Reddit

Headline: Isthmus, 12/1/2025

Photo by Retiring Guy

Liam Beran reports:

The project initially called for the razing of Imperial Garden and the adjacent Garden Asian Market, both tenants of Chen’s, to make room for the new development. Sanford told Isthmus in September that the restaurant could not be incorporated into any of the three planned commercial spaces in the development, as “the problem with Chinese food [is that] it's cooked over high heat, and does generate smoke and a lot of cooking aroma.”
He later reversed course, telling the Wisconsin State Journal in October that the restaurant and market would be incorporated into the redevelopment.
Some members of Middleton’s city government were skeptical of the project. Middleton Ald. Lisa Janairo, a member of the city’s plan commission, told Isthmus in September that she expected it would be challenging to convince the commission to “amend the [future land use] map to allow for a 10-story building.”
At an Oct. 28 meeting of Middleton’s plan commission, a majority of residents spoke against the project. Many worried it would worsen traffic congestion in the area and create safety hazards for pedestrians and cyclists. Middleton city staff in a Nov. 6 report recommended against the zoning change in order to maintain “consistency in planning along the corridor.”

Middleton University Avenue corridor posts:

2025

So far Castle Rock redevelopment is moving forward at a snail's pace. (10/5)

SAVED: Imperial Garden will be part of 10-story redevelopment project. (10/3)

Meanwhile, the former Middleton Cleaners location remains vacant. (10/2)

Altim Grill & Bakery poised to open at former Papa John's location. (10/2)

Around Town Middleton: University Avenue business sign obscured by greenery. (9/19)

Cariad Apartments on University Avenue in Middleton Wisconsin has a space for lease. (6/4)

5-story apartment building to replace aging Castle Rock Apartments. (2/13)

Middleton Wisconsin University Avenue corridor: What might be in store at this parcel? (2/2)

Looks like the property at 6300 University Avenue in Middleton is being prepped for redevelopment. (1/11)

2024