T. Wall Properties receives approval for The West End
On Monday, March 12, T. Wall Properties received approval of a General Development Plan (GDP) and Planned Development District zoning for its proposed new mixed-use development in Verona, Wisconsin. The West End will be a T. Wall Properties Urban Village located on 60 acres at the intersection of West Verona Avenue and U.S. Highway 18/151.
The approval of the GDP is subject to nine conditions related to final engineering and utility plans, architectural standards, a final traffic impact analysis, signage and easements. The Verona Plan Commission will review these conditions at its April 9 meeting. T. Wall Properties will also need to obtain Precise Implementation Plan (PIP) approval for each individual building and other improvements within the development. Site-grading activities on the project are expected to begin by third-quarter 2007 with a project opening by summer, 2008.
The West End is an estimated $144 million project that will follow new urbanism principles and will cater to current lifestyle trends that demand more convenience in every aspect of life. The development will contain a mix of uses including anchor retail stores, neighborhood retail shops, restaurants, offices, hotels, a health club, a day care, apartments and owner-occupied condominiums. According to Terrence Wall, President of T. Wall Properties, “The West End will truly be a mixed-use development, a place where you can live, work, shop and play. We’re building buildings for people. The urban village is designed to maximize efficiency relative to daily time and travel. I want our places to be uplifting, creative, and fun for everyone who lives and visits there. The West End will be a great addition for Verona.”
In the heart of the development will be a village center with an attractive public commons (“Storybook Commons”) that includes a civic building, public gathering area, green space, a band shell and a playground with a water splash garden. The “storybook” theme is carried out in the yellow brick road, giant life-size chess board and other whimsical elements.
The West End will not only include two retailers that will act as anchors for the project, but also many smaller “neighborhood” retail shops and business support services with apartments or office space above. The project will include a large medical clinic, fitness facility, two hotels, daycare and three sites for restaurants where diners will overlook scenic fountains. The West End will provide a pedestrian-friendly environment and “micro-spaces” for local residents to interact. Such spaces will include sidewalks, plazas, squares, and fountains. Visitors will be able to experience each component of The West End by walking instead of driving from one part of the project to another as is typical in many suburban commercial developments. In addition, the development will include bicycle connections to the Military Ridge Recreational Trail and Epic’s bike path. The West End will be the western gateway to Verona as well as complement and strengthen Verona’s existing downtown business district. The development will act as the western anchor of Verona’s business district, with the existing downtown business district as the eastern anchor. Each area will support and complement the other by drawing local residents to the business district as well as up and down Verona Avenue between the two anchors, much like Madison’s State Street with the capitol on one end and the University on the other.
T. Wall Properties is partnering with local firms as it plans The West End. Bouril Design Studio, LLC and Schreiber/Anderson Associates, Inc., both of Madison, Wisconsin, are providing site-planning services and landscape architecture. Vierbicher Associates, Inc., of Madison, Wisconsin, is providing engineering services and the Madison office of M&I Bank is providing financing.
