Who We Are
The Hillcrest Aurora Terrace (HAT) Neighborhood Group was formed in February 2024 when residents living near downtown Middleton, WI were informed of a plan to irrevocably alter their neighborhood.
The plan we were presented with called for erecting a modern 5-story apartment building in place of single-family housing, requiring the demolition of a designated Environmental Corridor that borders the City’s downtown and the Quarry Hill Conservancy, and threatening to damage or destroy neighboring historic buildings in the process.
In response to this news, neighbors from Hillcrest Avenue, (which borders the Quarry Hill Conservancy to the south), Aurora Street, (which borders the conservancy area to the east and is home to the Middleton landmark Little White Church on The Hill), and Terrace Avenue, (which boasts many properties that have survived since the late 1800s), came together to call on City leaders to listen to and respect their constituents.
For HAT, the proposal presented three issues:
Out-of-Place Development driven by Out-of-Control Zoning Amendments pursued by Developers
The Loss of the Last-Remaining Natural Urban Canopy Habitat in Downtown Middleton
Damage to, and the Eventual Destruction of, a section of Middleton’s History
This group of diverse neighbors, with our individual perspectives, skills, and resources have come together to speak with one voice toward one goal: Sensible City Planning that Respectfully Addresses Habitat and Historic Preservation.
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With this website, HAT Neighbors aims to provide an informational landing pad for anyone interested in learning more about our work to preserve and share the unique aspects of downtown Middleton, WI, The Good Neighbor City.
You don’t have to live on one of the HAT streets to be a HAT Neighbor! Anyone can join us and all are welcome!
Won’t you be our neighbor?