The Center for Black Excellence and Culture

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture in Madison, Wisconsin is an unparalleled initiative to bring resources to Black talent in Wisconsin, as well as inspire Black entrepreneurs and businesses to plant their operations in the Midwest. This 65,000-square-foot facility will bring health and wellness, leadership and innovation, and youth and family support services, as well as feature performances and art by the Black community.

GRAEF was selected for the site design, parking and utilities layout, structural design and stormwater management. The site sits on a steep hill, requiring in-depth strategic planning around the grading and positioning of the building. Using SiteOps software, GRAEF provided multiple iterations of the site layout to optimize earthwork cut and fill with a quick turnaround. When looking at further site development, GRAEF coordinated heavily with the City of Madison to ensure an efficient stormwater design and smooth review process. The ultimate design included detention for 200-year 24-hour design storm to give the project a heightened level of preparation for possible future rain events.

GRAEF’s structural engineering experts designed the new structure, using a primary structural system that is structural steel consisting of concrete over composite metal deck with composite steel beams. The building is a split level which required retaining walls for the lower level. The cultural center has a larger performance space requiring long-span deep open web joists supported on precast load-bearing walls.

GRAEF is proud to partner with JLA Architects on this one-of-a-kind project that enhances the surrounding Madison community in both resources and safety. The groundbreaking took place on June 19, 2024, in celebration of Juneteenth with the facility’s anticipated opening in 2025.