The Brief:

A Middleton architect is converting a vacant Lodi school into 50 senior living units and 62 additional housing unitsThe former school has been empty since 2017 due to structural issues and hazardous materialsThe project addresses a critical housing shortage in southern Wisconsin, particularly for seniors

LODI, Wis. — A Middleton architect with a passion for small-town Wisconsin is breathing new life into a historic Lodi property that has sat vacant for nearly a decade.

Steve Shulfer, a partner at Sketchworks Architecture in Middleton, is transforming the former Lodi school into “Primary Terrace,” a mixed-use development that will provide much-needed housing for the community. The project includes 50 units of independent senior living, 13 townhome condominiums, and 49 apartment units.

The school has been empty since 2017 due to structural issues and hazardous materials, leaving the historic property in desperate need of renovation. Shulfer’s connection to Lodi runs deep, spanning 25 years of recreational visits to the area.

“I’ve always had an affinity for Lodi. I’m a small town guy, born and raised in central Wisconsin, in a small town, and have been coming through Lodi recreationally for about 25 years,” Shulfer said.

His relationship with the community began through outdoor activities — driving, biking on the Ice Age Trail, hiking, and spending time on Lake Wisconsin. As an architect, something about the small town called to him.

The project began with grassroots community engagement. Shulfer spent a Saturday morning walking around the neighborhood, knocking on doors to introduce his vision for the property.

“Literally a Saturday morning, walking around and knocking on doors — at least to introduce ourselves, introduce what our vision was for the property…had a neighborhood meeting — it was received very well,” he said.

The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents recognizing the critical need for housing in Lodi.

“I get people coming up to me all the time talking about what a great vision — what a need for housing the community of Lodi has — and what a great use of this property,” Shulfer said.

The senior housing component addresses a particularly pressing need. Shulfer spoke with one senior who exemplified the housing crisis facing older residents.

“One of the seniors I spoke to said she was born and raised in Lodi, lived her whole life in Lodi, but because of a shortage of senior housing, was forced to move out of the community,” he said.

Heidi LeHew, executive director of the Lodi and Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, says the project arrives at the perfect time for the community.

“Over the years, the windows have broken and the roof has leaked and everything has just gone downhill… and Steve just came in at the perfect time,” LeHew said.

LeHew emphasizes that Lodi represents something special in Wisconsin’s landscape of small communities.

“It’s one of those communities that you see on TV often and you think oh that probably isn’t real… but it is and it’s here in Lodi and Lake Wisconsin. It really is a special spot,” she said.

The development team is taking care to preserve the property’s historic character. A retaining wall designed and constructed in the 1920s by a University of Wisconsin landscaping professor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shulfer’s team will stabilize the wall and rebuild deteriorating sections to showcase the historic property.

LeHew praises the collaborative approach Shulfer has taken with the community.

“When you work with people like Steve and his team it feels like he’s holding your hand through it, and he’s making sure the choices you make are really going to fit for us here in Lodi,” she said.

The housing shortage extends beyond Lodi throughout southern Wisconsin, making projects like Primary Terrace increasingly important for regional growth. The development aims to attract young families to complement the senior housing.

“We want to grow as a community, we want to invite young families. Our schools are some of the best in Wisconsin, look at the scores!” LeHew said.

For Shulfer, the project represents a convergence of professional expertise and personal passion. The proximity to his own home and his decades-long connection to the area make Primary Terrace particularly meaningful.

“I think being so close to my heart in terms of the type of community that it is — being a property that I’ve been looking at and watching for decades — and being so close to my own home is fun to watch,” he said.

The senior living units at Primary Terrace are expected to be available this spring, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both the historic property and the Lodi community.

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