John Ramthun of 6:8 shares our exciting concept for the Sycamore Community, where we are Reimagining how we live, work, and play together!

Learn more and get involved: https://www.makingservicepersonal.org...

The Sycamore Community Project

Reimagining how we live, work, and play together

This past year, 6:8 held several listening sessions attended by hundreds of community members. Based on what we learned and the resources currently available, we believe we can best serve our community’s needs if we deliver the following on one campus:.

Affordable housing
Healthcare support including public health services, health literacy classes, and wellness education
Childcare, Children’s Museum, and Youth Center
Community Center with hosted activities for all ages
Pathway Home of South Central Wisconsin - a short-term shelter for families experiencing homelessness
A workshop and makerspace with shared tools and resources
Community Cafe that promotes employment and job training
Support resources to help ensure the long-term success of families in need, including youth and senior programming, mental health services, job training, education, and social networks
Spaces for community and agency partners

Our goal for this vision is to create a space where people will come to the Sycamore Community out of need, of housing, or services, but also people will come because they want to, to live, to dine, to play increasing cross socioeconomic interactions.

Affordable housing and support resources are the top priorities.

Location is critical to the success of this facility, especially given the lack of public transportation in our area. Our clients need ready access to jobs and everyday necessities, especially food.

Our vision

Our current proposal envisions a multi-building campus that leverages an existing building and includes constructing new facilities.

Repurposing an existing facility
We are excited to share that an ideal property is currently available: the former Quartz office building at the corner of Sycamore and Carolina Streets in the heart of Sauk City. This location is within walking distance of a grocery store, library, hardware store, two gas stations, two parks, four banks, and entry-level and career track jobs at a range of businesses on Highway 12.

Repurposing an existing vacant building is an economic and environmentally sustainable choice. It will keep material out of landfills and allow us to have a usable facility on a faster timeline. The generous size of this building will allow us to grow and expand vital programming over time.

New construction
New construction will house a 70 unit apartment complex. Our multi-family housing units will allow us to meet the needs of residents of diverse incomes, ages, abilities, and household sizes. We’ll offer rent at various price points; some will be market rate, while others will be subsidized to serve those rising out of poverty. Our rates will align with income. As a resident’s income increases, their rent will grow until they’re at market rate. The resident can then stay in their apartment or move to alternate housing if they desire, creating housing stability as they reach financial stability

To help residents achieve long-term success, 6:8 will provide wrap-around services and programming. These will provide support and accountability and help put our neighbors on the path to financial stability and transformation.

This unique approach creates built-in housing diversity, allows us to provide affordable housing over time, and helps to ensure the Sycamore Community is financially self-sustaining.