UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center


Final Environmental Impact Statement Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center Project #A-22-007_9950-2218 University of Wisconsin – Madison
A public hearing to present the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center project will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams (URL: https://bit.ly/4jrHblt; Meeting ID: 251 085 212 495 2; Passcode: Rs2hF9ue) and telephone (+1 715-318-5006, 325421518#) on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 5:30 PM. A description of the project will be presented, and all persons will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to identify both orally and in writing any support, issues, or concerns for this proposed project. The EIS is prepared in accordance with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act (WEPA), Wisconsin Statutes 1.11, and University of Wisconsin System Administration guidelines.
The proposed Frautschi Center, spanning approximately 11,500 gross square feet, will be located within the Lakeshore Nature Preserve on the UW-Madison campus. Its primary objective is to create a dedicated space for experiential, hands-on learning while expanding the research, teaching, and outreach capabilities of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. This center will be housed in a sustainable facility that incorporates resilient green building design elements. The project also involves relocating a portion of University Bay Drive and shifting lot 130 to the north. The new road pavement will maintain a similar distance from the Class of 1918 Marsh as the existing parking lot. Additionally, existing bioswales will be reconfigured to accommodate the building. The Frautschi Center’s funding relies entirely on gifts and grants, with a proposed budget of $16,800,000.
The purpose of the EIS is to define the project and identify potential impacts of the project on the physical, biological, social, historic, and economic environments. A Final EIS report is being made available to the public and to appropriate agencies for a 30-day minimum review period, which begins on June 16, 2025, and concludes on July 16, 2025. Copies of the document will be available at the reference desks at the Madison Public Library – Central Branch and the UW-Madison College Library. The Final EIS Report and Teams link to the public hearing are also available at the following project website: http://www.ayresprojectinfo.com. If you are interested in this project or have any information relevant to it, we welcome your comments, suggestions, or other input. Please submit your comments at the meeting or in writing by July 16, 2025, to:
Mitchell Banach, PG Ayres Associates 3433 Oakwood Hills Parkway Eau Claire, WI 54701 BanachM@AyresAssociates.com
Click Here to View: Final Environmental Impact Statement (115,338 Kb, PDF File) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (49,096 Kb, PDF File) Scoping Letter (3,713 Kb, PDF File)