East Madison Street News

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I chatted last week with developer Jim Mueller, and Lis Soldano, his development director, about his development plans for the his two projects on East Madison Street.

In brief:

• he anticipates no delay due to the ongoing national financial crisis.
• he hopes to start construction on the Twilight Exit site next March. Most of the changes suggested at the Design Review hearings have been incorporated in the plans.
  
• construction on the Deano's site will begin in August. He wants to make some "minor amendments" to the design, which will require another Design Review meeting, in late November or December.
• he's hoping to host a public meeting next month to share his plans and hear our ideas.

The Deano's site probably won't look quite like the models/pictures from the old designs, but will still have a courtyard with an alley entrance. Expect 5 to 6 commercial spaces: say 2 restaurants, a coffee place and (Lis's dream) a spa/wine bar.

(coming soon: a tabulation of your suggestions, from the earlier survey, of our desires for commerce on Madison, and a chance to rank the top 10 or so).

PS: CD News reports that land on which Chester Dorsey's car detailing business sits (on Madison between the Safeway and the Madison Temple) has been sold to developers, and test drillings have been seen.

For s summary of ongong Madison Street developments, check my Madison Street Google map.