After a year of passionate, polarizing debate and a final marathon meeting, the Madison City Council approved the Hammes Co.â??s proposed $98 million redevelopment of the historic Edgewater hotel. The council, after an eight-hour public hearing featuring an A list of movers and shakers, historic preservationists, hoteliers and residents, and four more hours of questions for staff and debate, cast five separate votes to move forward one of the most controversial developments in recent city memory. Bob Harlan and Pat Richter — the former Green Bay Packers chief executive officer and former University of Wisconsin athletic director, respectively — praised Hammesâ?? work on the Lambeau Field renovation and the Kohl Center.UW-Madison, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, Trek Bicycles, Downtown Madison Inc., and organized labor also enthusiastically supported the project.
Office of Strategic Communication