According to the Wisconsin State Journal, on Wednesday evening, Madison and Dane County unveiled the preliminary design for a $21 million, two-story men’s shelter on the far east side to the city’s Urban Design Commission (UDC).
The facility would be 42,125 square feet and located on 2.1 acres of city-owned land at 1904 Bartillon Drive. It would be able to accommodate up to 250 guests and include sitting areas, dining spaces, secure storage, and covered outdoor patios. One key design element is the use of multiple, smaller sleeping spaces for around 50 people instead of a single, larger space.
The city and county have sought a location for a permanent men’s shelter since the pandemic forced the closure of makeshift shelters in downtown church basements in March 2020. Temporary shelters were created on the city’s north side at Warner Park Community Center and later at the city’s former Fleet Services building at 200 N. First St. — a space set to be repurposed for the $20 million Madison Public Market.
UDC comments will be considered by the project partners before a formal submittal is filed later this year. The project is expected to be put out for bid in early 2024, with construction beginning soon after and finishing in mid-2025.
