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City of Madison breaks ground on Triangle affordable housing project

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 16:32 GMT by Channel 3000
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City of Madison Breaks Ground on Triangle Affordable‑Housing Project

In a ceremony that drew city officials, local developers, and community members, the City of Madison officially broke ground on the Triangle Affordable‑Housing project—a mixed‑use development set to bring 36 new affordable units to the heart of downtown. The groundbreaking, held at the corner of East 3rd Street and Maple Avenue on Tuesday, marked a milestone in the city’s long‑term strategy to expand affordable housing and revitalize a former parking lot that has long been an underutilized space in the Triangle district.

The Project at a Glance

The Triangle project is a partnership between the City of Madison, the Madison Housing Authority (MHA), and the developer Cityscape Homes, a local nonprofit that specializes in building affordable and workforce housing. The 1.4‑acre site, which previously housed a 200‑car parking structure, will be transformed into a 5‑story mixed‑use building. The first four floors will contain 36 rental units, ranging from one to three bedrooms, while the ground floor will house two commercial spaces—one retail and one office—to serve the surrounding neighborhood.

Key features of the design include:

• Energy‑Efficient Construction: A green roof, solar panels, and high‑performance windows that reduce utility costs for residents.
• Community Spaces: A shared garden, a laundry facility, and a rooftop community deck.
• Accessible Design: ADA‑compliant elevators and universal design standards throughout the building.
• Ground‑Lease Arrangement: The City will provide a long‑term ground lease at a nominal rate, allowing the developer to keep construction costs down.

The project is slated to begin construction in July 2024, with occupancy expected in early 2026. In addition to creating 36 affordable housing units, the development is projected to generate 120 construction jobs and an estimated 20 permanent jobs once the retail spaces are leased.

Funding and Financial Structure

One of the article’s most striking elements is the multi‑layered funding model that underscores the project’s feasibility. The City of Madison is contributing $4.8 million through a local bond measure approved in 2022. The Madison Housing Authority is underwriting a $5.6 million contribution, sourced from the state’s Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Title I/IV financing.

Cityscape Homes will inject $3.2 million in equity and secure a $2.7 million construction loan from the Madison Community Bank. The developer also tapped a $1.5 million private‑sector investment from a local angel investor group that focuses on real‑estate‑based community development.

According to the City’s finance officer, “The blend of public and private capital ensures that the cost of development is distributed in a way that protects the affordability of the units while also keeping the project financially sound for all parties involved.”

Voices from the Ground

During the ceremony, City Councilmember Alex Johnson highlighted the project’s role in Madison’s broader strategy to increase affordable housing stock: “This isn’t just a building; it’s a commitment to ensuring that Madison remains a city where people of all income levels can live, work, and thrive.”

Mayor Satya Patel emphasized the collaborative nature of the project: “We’ve brought together city resources, a dedicated housing authority, and a developer that shares our vision for inclusive growth. Together, we’re turning a vacant lot into a vibrant community asset.”

Cityscape Homes CEO Mariana Gonzales spoke about the company’s mission: “For years, we’ve been building houses that are affordable without compromising on quality. The Triangle project is a prime example of how we can combine sustainability, affordability, and community‑oriented design.”

A Broader Impact on the Triangle District

The Triangle area has long been identified as a key zone for urban renewal. The project is a critical piece in a series of developments that the city plans to deploy along East 3rd Street, which will see new mixed‑use projects, public art installations, and pedestrian improvements. City officials hope that the new units will attract young professionals, families, and seniors—groups that have historically been underrepresented in the downtown rental market.

The developer’s plan includes a “Community‑First” strategy that will open the building to local organizations and provide space for a small non‑profit center that will run workshops on financial literacy, home maintenance, and small‑business development.

Looking Ahead

The City of Madison’s announcement included a timeline that places the groundbreaking as the first of many milestones. By Q4 2024, the project’s foundation will be laid; by Q2 2025, the façade and roofing will be complete; and by Q1 2026, the interior finishes will be ready for tenants.

The project will be closely monitored by the City’s Housing and Community Development Office, which will release quarterly updates to keep residents informed about progress and any potential changes in the project’s scope.

The Triangle Affordable‑Housing project signals a shift in Madison’s approach to urban housing: rather than relying on piecemeal solutions, the city is investing in integrated, community‑driven developments that combine affordable housing with mixed‑use vitality. As the first concrete footnotes of this project were laid on Tuesday, the city’s commitment to keeping Madison a welcoming, livable place for all its residents was made tangible and, importantly, tangible.

Additional Resources

• City of Madison: Triangle Affordable‑Housing Project news release (PDF)
• Madison Housing Authority: Affordable Housing Programs webpage
• Cityscape Homes: Project Portfolio page

These linked resources provide deeper dives into funding details, architectural plans, and the partnership framework that brought the Triangle project to fruition.