Park Cedar

Challenge

The former Truman Olson U.S. Army Reserve facility site had sat vacant in South Madison, a neighborhood at risk of food desert conditions due to the planned closure of a long-time grocery anchor. The project’s dual mandate—delivering 150 affordable apartments alongside a 24,000-30,000 sq ft full-service grocery store—required tackling complicated financing, community expectations, and equitable development requirements. Adding to complexity were stringent Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) subcontracting targets, local hiring commitments, and Section 32 WHEDA tax credit conditions, all while advancing amid pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. Catalyst, as construction manager, needed to marshal precision, equity, and community responsiveness to drive the project forward.

Solution

Catalyst Construction was selected—based on shared values of equity and integrity—as the general contractor managing groundbreaking and ongoing construction. We structured a phased delivery approach: establishing site mobilization, infrastructure, and vertical build in lockstep with financing milestones, construction protocols for retail shell and tenant build-out, and affordable housing interiors. To address the grocery gap, the City of Madison agreed to purchase and own the grocery condo unit, securing the retail anchor and easing operational risk. Catalyst implemented rigorous EBE and union subcontractor tracking, delivering ~28% EBE participation (exceeding the 25% requirement) and local hiring to meet city thresholds. Our construction sequencing balanced community-led design adjustments, responsive public engagement, and technical rigor in building purpose-driven residential and retail spaces under tight timelines.

Impact

• Underway: 150 affordable, mixed-income residential units serving diverse demographics, including supportive housing for people with disabilities and veterans. (movin-out.org)
• Anchoring retail: 24,000–30,000 sq ft grocery store, safeguarding neighborhood food access and preventing a looming food desert. (https://www.wmtv15news.com)
• Equity outcomes: Achieved ~28% EBE subcontractor participation, surpassing the 25% benchmark, and on-target local hire ratios. (movin-out.org)
• Financial collaboration: The City’s purchase of the grocery condominium structure ($4.6 million via bond/grant appropriation) facilitated project financing closings and construction momentum. (City of Madison, WI)
• Community stewardship: Catalyst’s role and execution honor the project’s values of equity, integrity, and place-based transformation—converting a disused site into a mixed-use, inclusive, neighborhood hub delivering both housing security and healthy food access.