A conditional use request by Prairie Lodging LLC, the developer for a 86-room Hampton hotel project to replace the vacant Knights of Columbus Hall building at 400 W. Upham St., received a 6-1 approval by the Plan Commission at its January 15 meeting.
Previously, the Common Council had denied the creation of a TIF district at its January 8 meeting that would have provided the developer with financial incentive to build at the property, paid back over a 20-year period through property taxes. After the decision, the City learned that Prairie Lodging LLC would be proceeding with the project.
The 4-story building would be about 60 feet tall and 16,000 square feet with a small frontal canopy of 1,500 square feet. Access on the northeast side of the property would be removed, leaving entrance points off of Upham St. and Leonhard St. (the latter for emergency access.)
Traffic is estimated to increase by 384 to 767 trips per day on Upham Street, contingent on occupancy of the building. The street is considered a “minor arterial highway” by the Wisconsin DOT and is a main thoroughfare in the city.
A request for exceptions to City sign requirements was also approved.
The matter will proceed to the Common Council for approval on January 22. Amendments were made to the conditional use request to add requests made by residents, including a barrier along Leonhard St.
