SUN PRAIRIE – Right now in Sun Prairie, the northwest corner of Main Street and Bristol Street remains vacant and undeveloped after it was leveled during a fatal gas explosion in July of 2018. But that could soon change, as developers once again met with Sun Prairie’s plan commission Tuesday night to share their updated redevelopment plans.
Since its introduction in March of 2022, the concept plans for Sun Prairie’s explosion site have been altered to reflect the surrounding neighborhood.
The updated blueprint consists of a four-story, mixed-use building that includes 110 dwelling units and approximately 4,000 square feet of commercial space. Project developers said this project is consistent with both the city’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan and with the Sun Prairie Stronger Plan; something top of mind for city leaders that are still mourning what happened on July 10, 2018.
“It’s been over four years now, so we’re anxious to see that [the development] is respectful to the firefighter that died that evening,” said Sun Prairie Mayor, Paul Esser.
The project’s development director, Brian Sweeney, said his team has been careful to design a space that helps the Sun Prairie community move forward while making sure there’s room to remember what’s been lost.
“We understand the emotional connection of the city with this site, there’s a lot of feelings tied into it,” Sweeney said. “The link, the connector that moves through the building to the parking area, we’ve identified as an opportunity to recognize and memorialize some of the lost architecture and lost citizens.”
Adoption of the project proposal doesn’t just move the redevelopment plan forward, but also an entire community that, over the past four years, has continued to be “Sun Prairie Strong.”
“The motion passes 6-0,” Esser said. “Thanks, everyone. We’re on our way.”
Now that the commission has adopted the development and implementation plans, they head to the city council for review. That will take place during the council’s next meeting on Oct. 18.
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