Exterior view from the Yahara River of The Current, a mixed-use development in Monona, WI | Designed by JLA Architects

The Current

Overview

In 2012, the City of Monona began planning for a major redevelopment project at Bridge Road, Broadway, and the Yahara River.  Redeveloping this contaminated brownfield site maximized public access to the waterfront and increased green space. Phase One, “The Current”, was completed in 2019 and brought 96 market-rate apartments to Monona, as well as 30,000 s.f. of commercial and restaurant space.

The building’s design concept references nautical geometries and the masonry piers on its exterior reference boat masts. Rooftop terraces, a shared amenity for residents, were created by stepping down each end of the building’s roof. Along the river, the building flows into the waterway with thoughtfully integrated landscapes and the creative usage of stairways. The earth-tone color palette used on the exterior is further accentuated by heavy timber pergolas used at the front and rear of the building to merge the new structure into the natural landscape.

2019 ABC Wisconsin Project of Distinction

Categories: Mixed-Use, Retail & Restaurants
Location: 800 W. Broadway, Monona, WI 53713
Completion Date: June 2019
Project Data:

30,000 s.f. retail

JLA assisted with the tenant build-outs for Buck & Honey’s restaurant, Lee & Associates, Belle & Beau, and The Tasting Room.

Number of units: 96
Units per acre: 32
Interior amenities:
  • Fitness center
  • Community room
  • Underground parking
  • Bike repair station
  • Bike & kayak storage area
  • Pet Wash
Exterior amenities:
  • Rooftop patio
  • Pet exercise area
  • Adjacent City Park
  • Riverwalk
“Working with JLA has been awesome through the years. We’ve always had a team approach with them, where we try to tackle challenges together as a group and work through those details and come up with a solution that works for all parties. JLA’s team approach really allows us to work through some of the challenges in construction and know that we’ve got a good partner and teammate to come up with common solution that will work for everybody involved. Building that trust and knowing that you’ve got a teammate, helps to push through some of these challenges in construction is a huge asset to any company.”
— Aaron Kostichka, President/CEO, McGann Construction

Project Location