🆕 Behind the scenes at Garver Feed Mill

🏭 ‘Dairyland, not data land' – Wisconsinites Protest New Data Centers

• We've already talked on the podcast about some of the effects new data centers might have on our community. Local Wisconsinites are taking it a step further by protesting in several locations this week. They've already been showing their concern at various city meetings and on the radio for the potential environmental impacts – including energy and water use.
• Advocates for the data centers say the proposed constructions will bring jobs and economic development. [🎧City Cast Madison, WPR]

☕ Yemeni Coffee Shop Offers Important Third Space

• Qamaria Coffee Co. made it into our "Best New Bars and Restaurants" last month. The coffee shop is a place to relax and sip on cardamom-spiced coffees, sweet treats, and milk teas. They offer both traditional Yemeni beverages and sweets, and more trending items like tiramisu and a dubai-chocolate-themed dessert.
• Besides the food and drink, Qamaria offers an important third space for the whole community, open at 7 a.m. for early commuters and late into the night until 11 p.m. – even later during Ramadan. [ 📝City Cast Madison, Cap Times]

🏡 New Housing Proposals Head to City Council

• Madison’s Plan Commission has approved or will decide on several new housing proposals that are slated for City Council consideration in December and early next year.
• The proposals include a 15-story mixed used building offering 10% student-housing, a new subdivision at Raemisch Farm, a 205-room hotel, and a 118-unit redevelopment project for UW students, among others. You can check for updates or visit city council meetings to get all the details.
• Related: The Plan Commission recently approved the 16-story Wilson Street Building with 320 "micro" units and, controversially, no parking. [Cap Times, WSJ 🔒]

What began first as a sugar beet factory, then as a feed mill, has become a modern event space, stylish food court, and home to 15 Madison businesses meant to be a gathering place for all Madisonians.

You've probably heard Ian's Pizza is there, but did you know that 25% of the massive space is used to make artisanal kombucha? Or that the bollards out front to protect the building from a bad parking job are made of once-buried railroad tracks?

City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sat down with Bryant Moroder from the Garver Feed Mill development team to hear the behind-the-scenes story of Madison's newest oldest gathering space

What is the Garver Feed Mill?

It's a "treasure trove of history," says Bryant. Named after its second owner, James Garver, the Feed Mill was originally a sugar factory until Garver purchased it. But before you start wondering where Madison's sugar cane was grown, this sugar came from beets which dozens of local farmers began to grow in the early 1900s. According to Bryant, "10 million pounds of sugar [was] coming out of this facility."