The central Beltline corridor within the City of Madison is starting to experience long overdue revitalization. Substantial public and private investment has gone into the area to trigger redevelopment and serve as a catalyst to revitalize the central beltline and Arbor Hills Neighborhood. V ierbicher has been working with private property owners, the City of Madison, and the State of Wisconsin on infrastructure improvements and brownfield redevelopment projects near Todd Drive to assist in the revitalization of this “Miracle Mile”.

In 2004, Vierbicher worked with a private developer to help secure several million dollars in public funding through the Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of the Todd Drive interchange. This funding provided the first necessary step for redevelopment by allowing better access onto Todd Drive and the frontage road from the Beltline.

The redevelopment of several brownfield properties quickly followed after infrastructure improvements were completed. Infill development started to occur east of Kayser Ford with a new retail facility along Coho Street, and future expansion is currently being planned along the railroad right-of-way. Also, the relocation of Allen Kitchen & Bath and the Verlo Mattress Factory to the new Central Beltline Design Center on the west side of Todd Drive paved the way for redevelopment of seven parcels on the southeast corner of the Todd Drive intersection. Construction of Arbor Gate, a 215,000 square foot office and retail building with a five-story parking structure, started in August of 2007 and the facility is now open for tenancy. The $55 million project is anticipated to bring more than 250 new jobs to the area.

Arbor Gate posed many challenges that required extensive coordination with multiple regulatory authorities, landowners, and utility companies. Prior to construction, Vierbicher worked with the developer to secure TIF funding, release and create easements on the site, develop a Certified Survey Map, secure demolition permits, assist with entitlement applications and packages, develop landscaping plans, and provide all engineering and stormwater managements plans for the site. Through a rigorous schedule and constant coordination with the City of Madison, the Arbor Gate team was able to secure entitlements for this complex project within 109 days of formal submittal to the City.

This project was awarded a 2008 Top Project Award by the Wisconsin Builder Magazine.