City of Madison breaks ground on Triangle affordable housing project

Published in House and Home on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 18:25 GMT by Channel 3000
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Madison Turns a Long‑Vacant Plot into a Beacon of Affordable Housing

On a bright spring morning, the City of Madison celebrated a milestone for the historic Triangle neighborhood with a ground‑breaking ceremony that marked the start of the city’s newest affordable‑housing venture. The event drew city officials, local residents, developers, and community advocates to the corner of West Waverly and East Waverly, where a modest block of vacant land will soon host a 12‑story tower of new apartments, ground‑floor retail, and community amenities. The project, dubbed the Triangle Affordable Housing Project, will add more than 80 affordable units to the area, offering a vital mix of rental and owner‑occupied homes for low‑ and moderate‑income households.

A Project Born of Need

Madison has long struggled to keep its growing population on‑site without pushing families to the outskirts. According to the city’s Office of Housing and Community Development, the Triangle—nestled between downtown and the university—has an average household income that falls below the median for Dane County. The neighborhood has also historically been a cultural hub for artists and students, and residents worry that rising rents and gentrification could erode its character. The city’s decision to break ground on the new development comes after a multi‑year study that confirmed a persistent demand for more affordable units in the heart of Madison.

The project is part of the city’s broader strategy to deliver 1,400 affordable‑housing units by 2030, a goal that will be realized through a blend of public funding, private investment, and state‑federal tax credit programs. “This development is a tangible step toward closing the gap between where we want our residents to live and where they can afford to live,” said City Manager Kevin Hall. “It reflects Madison’s commitment to inclusive growth and ensures that the Triangle remains vibrant and accessible.”

Development Partners and Funding

The Triangle Affordable Housing Project is a joint venture between the City of Madison and Madison Affordable Housing Corp. (MAHC), a nonprofit that has delivered several mixed‑income projects across the city. MAHC’s Executive Director, Maya Patel, emphasized the partnership’s collaborative ethos: “We worked closely with the city, local businesses, and community stakeholders to design a building that meets the needs of families while complementing the neighborhood’s character.”

Funding for the project will come from a combination of sources:

City of Madison – A $3.5 million allocation through the Municipal Asset Management Fund and a local 4.8 % tax increment financing (TIF) district.
State of Wisconsin – Grants from the State Housing Trust Fund, which provide up to 60 % of the construction cost for qualifying affordable‑housing projects.
Federal HUD – A Section 8 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award covering roughly 40 % of the project’s financing.
Private Investment – An equity contribution of $5.2 million from Madison Realty Partners, a local development firm with a strong track record of affordable‑housing ventures.

The mixed‑source funding model is typical of large urban housing projects, ensuring that the project remains financially viable while delivering affordability benefits to the community.

Design and Features

The 12‑story tower, set on a 0.45‑acre lot, will feature a mix of two‑, three‑, and four‑bedroom apartments designed for both renters and low‑income buyers. Roughly 60 % of the units will be set at the lowest income level (90 % of the Area Median Income), while the remaining units will be priced for households earning up to 120 % of the AHI. All apartments will include in‑unit laundry facilities, and 20 % of the units will have accessible features for seniors and people with disabilities.

The ground floor will host a community‑oriented retail space: a coffee shop operated by a local entrepreneur and a small grocery kiosk that will supply residents and neighbors with fresh produce. Above the storefront, a shared rooftop garden will provide residents with a green space that can be used for recreation and community gatherings.

Sustainability is a key focus of the design. The developers have pledged to pursue a LEED Silver certification, incorporating energy‑efficient HVAC systems, solar panels on the roof, and a rainwater‑harvesting system for landscape irrigation.

Construction Timeline

Construction is slated to begin in early 2024, following the issuance of a Building Permit on March 12. The developers anticipate a 15‑month construction schedule, aiming to deliver the first units to residents by the summer of 2025. “We’re excited to bring this project to life and see the impact it will have on the community,” Patel said. “Our team is already coordinating with the city’s utilities department to ensure a smooth transition.”

City officials expect the project to create approximately 50 construction jobs in the first year, and a further 15 permanent jobs once the building is complete, ranging from property management to maintenance staff.

Community Reception

The ground‑breaking event was attended by more than 200 community members, many of whom had participated in a series of public meetings that shaped the project’s design. While the majority of attendees expressed enthusiasm, a few residents raised concerns about potential traffic congestion and the preservation of the neighborhood’s historic feel. In response, the developers have agreed to provide a traffic mitigation plan that will include a temporary detour and additional parking for construction workers.

Mayor James Murphy praised the collaboration between the city and local developers. “The Triangle Affordable Housing Project demonstrates how Madison can address housing affordability without sacrificing the character of its neighborhoods,” he said. “We look forward to seeing this project become a model for future developments.”

A Longer‑Term Vision

Beyond the physical structure, the Triangle Affordable Housing Project is a cornerstone of Madison’s longer‑term vision to create a more inclusive, economically diverse city. City officials anticipate that the presence of more affordable units will help attract a broader range of residents, from young professionals and families to seniors and students, ensuring that the Triangle remains a lively and affordable neighborhood.

As the construction crews begin to dig and foundations are laid, the city’s residents can look forward to a new chapter in Madison’s ongoing story—a story that balances growth, sustainability, and the promise that home can be found right where you need it.

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