The redevelopment of St. John’s Lutheran Church in downtown Madison will move forward but with changes approved by the Madison Plan Commission to reduce project costs, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Plans will not incorporate most of the underground parking in the original proposal.
The church received city permission early last year to raze the structure at 322 E. Washington Ave. and replace it with a 10-story building that would include a sanctuary area, space for community services providers, and 130 apartments — most with reduced rents.
Plans initially included 63 underground parking spaces; under the updated proposal, there would be only 10. Roughly one-third of the apartments were originally set to have balconies, but most of those were also approved by the Plan Commission for removal — another cost-saving measure.
Construction was previously anticipated to begin in spring 2024; the church is aiming to open its new doors in mid-2026.
