The City Council on July 2 unanimously approved an additional $2 million in funding for a new east side Madison shelter for men experiencing homelessness, The Capital Times reports. The move raises the previous budget of $25 million after bids from many construction companies came in higher than expected.
The project is on track for construction later this month. The federal dollars that will fill the funding gap had been approved for a proposed affordable housing project on Park Street, which will instead receive other federal funds.
The proposed 40,000-square-foot facility at 1902 Bartillon Drive — the first of its kind in Wisconsin — would be situated near various amenities like bus transit, a potential new city library, employment training, and education opportunities. The building would have a 250-person capacity and include dorm-like sleeping quarters, commercial kitchen and laundry facilities, support services space, an outdoor patio and multi-use path, and more.
The project is anticipated to be complete by Oct. 31, 2025.
