Street Talk

Submitted by
Name: Madison

Comments:
So how do I purchase a couple of these new apartments on the river? If the Mayor and City Council are subsidizing each unit to the tune of $100,000+, sign me up. I would like 2 of the top floor units facing the river. I plan to rent via VRBO when I’m not using or entertaining guests when not at the local speakeasy hanging out with my elite friends. After a few years, I’ll flip the units and walk away with over $200,000 of your tax dollars.

Added: August 28, 2025 10:19:46 AM

Submitted by
Name: Now theres only one

Comments:
It’s a tad confusing - I know-

According the READI grant there were two developers - Rebar and “another developer” . “Another developer” was the only name we had until Rebar withdrew. Now we know “another developer” is Bowen Development. One battle did not win the war. Rebar is gone but Bowen remains. You can find them on the internet if you dig a bit. Be sure to watch for other companies which have the Bowen name but are Bowen engineering or consulting. Facebook page now has two likes. You

Added: August 27, 2025 05:46:23 PM

Submitted by
Name: Fred Shimfessel
From: madison

Comments:
I have not been on Facebook in about three years. I can tell you right now it’s a scam. It will all come out at the right time. Please don’t believe what they tell you. The Facebook surveys can be tampered with. I sent an email to Josh Wilbur last night. Why not have three people who are against the project and three people who are for the project serve on a committee that picks a pollster. Then we can get to the bottom of this. But this administration and several on the City Council can’t be above board.

I can tell the readers of this forum. It’s kind of like what John Dean told Nixon. There is a cancer growing on the Madison Mayors Administration. Everyday we are finding out more and more how shady this deal is. Keep the faith!

Added: August 27, 2025 06:37:24 PM

Submitted by
Name: Truth or rumor

Comments:
Is it true Bob already has another developer?

Added: August 27, 2025 12:49:44 PM

Submitted by
Name: uncle carl

Comments:
MADISON LOFTS - COMING SOON

Added: August 27, 2025 02:00:08 PM

Submitted by
Name: Can we vote on this?

Comments:
What would it take to get the zoning issue on a ballot? Let the people
vote on it. Apparently Bob thinks it's in the bag.

Added: August 27, 2025 01:06:57 PM

Submitted by
Name: Rebar and Bowen

Comments:
For anyone playing along at home, if you look at both project pages for Rebar and Bowen that they are identical and Bowen is now calling our project the Madison Lofts. I'll be at the meeting tonight to see how I can get involved further in stopping this.

Added: August 27, 2025 12:53:56 PM

Submitted by
Name: Update

Comments:
While Rebar is out and has been for a short while—-If you recall I posted several weeks back about the Founder, Mr. Bowen leaving and new president coming on board. That announcement followed a development company building a Facebook page on June 23d which coincidently is the very day the Governor fired every single member of the IEDC board. The name of the newly formed development company is Bowen Development. I can’t tell if Bowen was forced out or not; I can’t tell you why the internet and social media presence suddenly appears on and around the governors cleaning house. I can tell you with one like and one follower they are working hard to stay under the radar.

I can confirm that Bowen- the founder and immediate ex president of REBAR development- still has his fingers in Madison and although Rebar is definitely out - Bowen is still definitely in. The project is still going to move forward unless the public can stop it .

You still need to continue your work as individuals or whatever committee you are on. I am sure Richard Ice will update the Riverfront Defense Facebook page with contact information. The same process applies. Polite emails, calls, letters and messages asking Bowen Development to meet with citizens. If there’s no response quickly begin to tag Bowen Development and if still no response then Google reviews that explain why you are frustrated with the company. But please give the company an opportunity to respond to your concerns . Many would love to see a development a block north - so let’s give them a chance to work with the community- even if the mayor and city council don’t want to work with community.

And YES - Courtney knew but he withheld information from several of his board. The new hotel development is still in the works. However it’s the luxury apartments for wealthy persons that citizens object most to. Tjh

Added: August 27, 2025 10:57:24 AM

Submitted by
Name: Truth or rumor

Comments:
Is it true Bob already has another developer?

Added: August 27, 2025 11:52:32 AM

Submitted by
Name: ,
From: Madison

Comments:
Seems to be the application for Readi Grant needs to be looked at.
If Rebar was named as developer, application had false information.

Added: August 27, 2025 11:36:01 AM