A project near the former Oscar Mayer plant that will bring more than 500 new, affordable housing units to Madison broke ground on Wednesday, according to the city of Madison. Huxley Yards, located on Roth Street at the former Hartmeyer site on the city’s north side, is the first housing development to begin construction since the Oscar Mayer Special Area Plan was adopted and implemented in the summer of 2020.
The city contributed more than $6 million in tax incremental financing funds last year to help cover a gap in the project’s financing and keep construction on track. It was additionally financed through federal low-income housing tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and the National Equity Fund, and also received a Brownfield Idle Sites Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
Plans call for a grand total of 553 income- and rent-restricted units between two buildings, with one building dedicated to older adults and the other building dedicated to individuals and families. All of the units at Huxley Yards will be reserved to individuals making up to 50%, 60%, or 70% of Dane County’s Area Median Income, depending on the unit. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Dane County’s AMI is currently $125,900 for a family of four.
Of the 553 units on the site, 303 will be in the building called “The View,” which will serve families and individuals, offering several amenities, including job training. The other building, called “The Victoria,” will provide 250 units for older adults along with a club room, a craft room, a fitness center, and two rooftop courtyards. The site will also include a new city park.
In addition to providing one- and two-bedroom units, plans also call for three- and four-bedroom units that will help support families who can experience challenges in finding affordable housing that fit their needs.
Both buildings will be sustainable, with rooftop solar power systems and Wisconsin Green Built Home certifications.
