Brayton Lot (Block 113)

The Brayton Lot, also known as Block 113, is a two-acre surface parking lot situated three blocks from the Capitol Square along East Washington Avenue in the First Settlement neighborhood. The future of this site has been addressed in multiple City plans over nearly 30 years. These plans have been consistent in their vision for the scale and massing of future buildings. Several policy and regulatory measures have been put in place to realize that future.

Now that the City's east-west Bus Rapid Transit line is complete the Brayton Lot, which had been used as a construction staging area, is available for redevelopment. A funding agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), requires the City to redevelop the site in a transit-supportive manner.

The City is moving forward with the implementation of long-standing plans through redevelopment. It is anticipated that a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a development partner will be issued. Once a partner is selected and approved by the Common Council the proposed development will go through the normal City entitlement process. This will include review by City boards, commissions, committees, and Common Council as appropriate.

DRAFT Request for Proposals (RFP) Public Meeting - Monday, February 3, 2025

The City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development held a virtual public meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025 to outline a first draft for a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop Block 113.

During the meeting, staff from the City’s Planning Division and Economic Development Division shared a presentation summarizing what the City wants to see in the redevelopment and what will be required of the project due to previous federal funding agreements. Highlights from the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) were also shared to show how development proposals will be scored. A complete copy of the Draft RFP is available for viewing here. 

You can find a copy of the presentation slides here.

A video recording of the meeting is available here.

It is important to note that in this stage of the process, nothing about the redevelopment has been planned or decided, including building design. Work on those details will begin after a development partner is selected. 

Once a development partner is selected and approved by the Common Council, the proposed development will go through the normal City approval process, including reviews by City boards, commissions, and committees, all of which will provide an opportunity for public comment throughout the process. 

Site Facts

• Owner: City of Madison
• Size: 2 acres  (87,120 sq. ft.)
• Street Frontages:
  • East Washington Ave. & East Main St.: 264 feet (each frontage)
  • South Butler St. & South Handcock St.: 330 feet (each frontage)

Existing Plans

The neighborhood, City, and larger community have been planning for the redevelopment of the Brayton Lot since the mid-1990s. Below is a list of these plans along with a link to the documents. 

1. First Settlement Neighborhood Master Plan (accepted 1995)
2. Brayton Lot Framework (accepted 2001)
3. Downtown Plan (adopted 2012)
4. Comprehensive Plan (amended 2024)
   • Part 1 - Introduction, Growth Framework, Land Use & Transportation
   • Part 2 - Neighborhoods & Housing, Economy & Opportunity, Culture & Character, Green & Resilient, and Effective Government
   • Part 3 - Appendices

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