By Anita Weier
Friends of Hartmeyer Natural Area
An August community meeting led by the Friends of Hartmeyer Natural Area produced a variety of ideas for protecting the 29-acre parcel behind the Esquire Club from damage and development. The meeting at Lakeview Library was led by Virginia Scholtz and Paul Noeldner.
Jim Welsh, executive director of the Groundswell Conservancy, explained how that organization has helped the City of Madison add land to the Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park. It is possible to use the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to acquire property when needed, he said, stressing that community voices are needed to succeed in such ventures.
Welsh suggested that the Friends of Hartmeyer consider promoting a vision of the property to the city. Members of the Friends of Hartmeyer are working to come up with a cohesive vision.
Advantages of keeping the property in a natural state noted during the meeting included flood control, wildlife protection, frog ponds, a bike path, nature paths, preservation of wetlands and open space, property value increases, educational uses and walkability.
Lesleigh Luttrell, co-chair of the Sherman Neighborhood Association, said a company has indicated interest in locating a 120-unit building at 1212 Huxley Street, near the Madison Metro North Transfer Point that would include housing for those over 55 and affordable housing. The potential developers are MSP Real Estate Inc. of Minnesota.
Developers must sometimes provide park impact fees when building, and it was suggested that such fees could help fund acquisition of the Hartmeyer Natural Area. The partial wetland is currently owned by the Hartmeyer Family Trust.
One attendee at the meeting noted that the vacant property is now used “as a dump.”
Jon Becker stressed that the undeveloped property could be used for flood control.
Luttrell said more businesses will be locating on the Oscar Mayer site. Scholtz added that the natural area would provide a pleasant place for workers to see while walking around during breaks.
Scholtz said the Friends group will keep working on the issue and will notify the community of further activities and meetings. The group subsequently contacted District 12 Alder Syed Abbas to arrange a meeting about the Hartmeyer area. Abbas told Friends member Mary Johnston that he is completely on board with preservation and restoration of the Hartmeyer property.