The Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is coming out strong against a developer's proposal for a $109 million redevelopment of the landmark Edgewater Hotel.

The Hammes Co. wants to restore the original 1948 hotel, create a public plaza atop a 1973 addition that would overlook Lake Mendota and create a public stairway to the waterfront, build an 11-story tower and add underground parking.

The trust objects to the height of the new tower, Hammes' request that the city release public lands for the project, possible impacts on view corridors, noise, traffic and more.

But Hammes President Robert Dunn says the project will improve the property, offer new public space and open access to the lake, create jobs, and enhance the neighborhood.

The city's Landmarks Commission, one of several committees that will review the Hammes proposal, will consider a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 4:45 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. 

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