We Are Ready: 800 Block of East Wash Redevelopment

November 7, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeff Maurer

(608) 963-1171

Local Market Can Open at East Wash. Development

The 800 Block needs a local grocery since Metcalfe’s pulled out

(MADISON)    Jeff Maurer, owner of Fresh Madison Market, is ready to step in and fill the hole left by Metcalfe Grocery’s departure from the 800 Block Development on East Washington. One of the central components of the RFP for that development was a grocery store and Maurer wants to make sure a local grocery opens there rather than a national chain.

“The redevelopment of the entire East Washington corridor, the gateway to our great city, is critical,” said Maurer. “It is also critical that local businesses occupy any new developments on East Washington. Local ownership and small business is the lifeblood of our economy.”

Fresh Madison Market teamed up with C.D. Smith Construction for the original proposal given to the City of Madison’s 800 North Block Selection Committee. That proposal came in second to the Gebhardt/Metcalfe’s proposal earlier this year. Now, with no grocery in the development, the committee needs to move forward and turn to the back-up plan of C.D. Smith Construction/Fresh Madison Market.

Maurer as well as representatives from C.D. Smith are eager for the 800 Block Committee as well as the City of Madison Economic Development Department to reconvene and discuss the next steps for that portion of the East Washington redevelopment plan. There is momentum in the redevelopment plans and taking too much time to complete this project would be detrimental to the entire City of Madison.

**END**