By Anita Weier
Northside News
With winter approaching, the Madison Common Council in October gave unanimous early approval of a temporary tiny house village at the former Wiggie’s tavern site at 1901 Aberg Ave.
The village will be built and installed by Occupy Madison, which already operates a tiny house village on Third Street. The new development will consist of 28 small houses in the shape of Conestogas, a type of covered wagon.
Occupy Madison hopes to get zoning approval for a permanent village of about 18 somewhat larger tiny houses on the site. The permanent village would be funded by a bank loan and financial assistance from Dane County. Occupy Madison will also invest funds, as well as labor, for the project.
More than 50 people attended an online meeting about the plans. Several were supportive and a few were very critical. Most had questions.
Alder Syed Abbas, along with city planning and zoning officials, conducted the meeting. Brenda Konkel, co-president of Occupy Madison, apologized to those attending about the rush to gain approval and build the housing. “There are not enough spaces in shelters, so we felt we needed to do something,” she said.
Konkel explained that the Wiggie’s building would be retained and renovated to serve as a gathering place for residents. A kitchen, showers and laundry facilities would be in that building, as well as a crafting area, an office and a freezer and cooler. She said the Conestoga huts will be on wheels and will have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. A privacy fence will be built around the site.
“We have been overwhelmed by people who want to help build houses,” Konkel said. Bachman Construction is in charge of construction.
She explained that people who want to live in the tiny houses will apply for a home and sign a community agreement with required standards of conduct and stewardship. Residents will not pay rent but will have to contribute sweat equity in building construction or maintenance. They also will attend an orientation.
Alison Lindsey-Mares asked whether there would be an on-site manager. Konkel responded that there would not, but there will be a security person on site. Volunteer social workers and mental health professionals will be available on call.
“No alcohol or drugs will be allowed in the temporary housing and likely in the permanent village. We did allow alcohol at Third Street, but the members decided not to continue that. In six years, there have been less than eight police calls at Third Street,” she said. Three people were asked to leave during that time. Five residents live there now.
The primary critic at the meeting was Chet Hermansen of Chet’s Car Care, a business on Aberg Avenue. He contended that the Third Street village is not a pretty place, with trash and weeds. He suggested that Third Street should be expanded instead of building a new village.
Renee Walk, co-chair of the Sherman Neighborhood Association, asked about Occupy Madison’s relationship with the Emerson East Neighborhood Association. Konkel responded that the Third Street site has a good relationship with close neighbors. She also offered that a resident of the Occupy village at Wiggie’s might be able to attend meetings of the Sherman Association.
People with additional questions should email them to occupymadisoninc@gmail.com.