Madison Reporter

City staff joined representatives from Lincoln Avenue Communities, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and others Wednesday in celebrating the groundbreaking of a project near the former Oscar Mayer plant that will bring more than 500 new housing units to Madison.

Huxley Yards, located on Roth St. 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. City of Madison Economic Development Division Director Matt Mikolajewski joined representatives from Lincoln Avenue Communities at the official groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the project.

“The Oscar Mayer Special Area Plan envisions an entirely new neighborhood for the City of Madison. This project will help that plan come to fruition. We are grateful for this investment that Lincoln Avenue Communities is making in the City of Madison and appreciate all the work of the Lincoln Avenue Communities team to get us to this groundbreaking,” Mikolajewski said.

The City of Madison contributed more than $6 million in Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) 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 (WHEDA) and the National Equity Fund, and also received a Brownfield Idle Sites Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

Plans call for a total of 553 income- and rent-restricted units between two buildings, with one building dedicated to older adults and another dedicated to individuals and families. All units at Huxley Yards will be reserved for individuals making up to 50%, 60%, or 70% of Dane County’s Area Median Income (AMI), depending on the unit. According to HUD, Dane County’s AMI is currently $125,900 for a family of four.

The 50% AMI level equates to units being available for individuals making up to $44,100 per year and families of four making up to $62,950 per year. Individuals making up to $52,920 per year would be eligible for the 60% AMI units, while individuals making up to $61,740 per year would be eligible for the 70% AMI units. A family of four making up to $75,540 per year would be eligible for the 60% AMI units, while a family of four making up to $88,130 per year would be eligible for the 70% AMI units.

Of the 553 units on site, 303 will be in "The View," which will serve families and individuals with several amenities including job training. The other building, "The Victoria," will provide 250 units for older adults along with amenities such as a club room, craft room, 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 aimed at supporting families who face challenges finding affordable housing that fits their needs.

“I am grateful for this partnership that is creating a significant number of affordable homes for families and older adults in Madison. Not only will The View and The Victoria provide an affordable option for hundreds of people for decades to come; they help address a big need in our community for larger multi-bedroom units designed for growing families,” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said. “We know that key to a more affordable housing market in Madison is building more housing—in fact we need around 2,000 homes every year—and these over 500 homes get us much closer.”

Before this development was proposed and approved, the parcel had been vacant for decades. Now it aims not only at addressing Madison's housing crunch but also leveraging its proximity to bus lines and job opportunities.

Both buildings are planned as sustainable structures with rooftop solar power systems and Wisconsin Green Built Home certifications.

Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) is used by Madison as a tool to fund public infrastructure projects or provide financial assistance where needed while expanding tax bases and creating jobs within designated districts.