BT Farms, an agriculture-based community real estate development planned for Madison’s east side, will host a community visioning session to finalize design plans tomorrow, July 22, from noon to 3 pm at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
The development will include residential housing as well as agriculture and agri-tourism proo
This is the second open community session hosted by BT Farms Foundation. Organizers have also held sessions with Bayview Foundation and the Ho Chunk Nation.
Shellie Pierce-Meier, a local farmer who works with the foundation on community engagement and outreach, said the first few sessions have made it clear that potential homeowners and investors want low-density housing in the development.
“People are really looking for that open space feel,” she said. “Green space, low density housing … They want the feeling of being in the city, but with a suburban kind of feel. So that’s the way we’re moving.”
This Saturday’s workshop, coordinated by project planner Ifeoma Ebo, will finalize design plans as well as begin to envision what the agricultural operations and infrastructure might look like.
Pierce-Meier said all are welcome at the session, not just those interested in buying property in the development.
“We would love to hear from more people of diverse backgrounds and get their input. The legacy of our project will be to honor those who don’t always get mentioned. The Native farmer, the Black farmer, Asian farmer who do the greatest of work, but yet they’re not often recognized,” she said.
Anyone interested in attending the session can register at this link.
