The Middleton Chinese restaurant Imperial Garden and an adjacent Asian grocery store would be razed if a plan to construct a 195-unit mixed use housing development along University Avenue proceeds.
The development, which Sanford Enterprises Inc., a real estate business acting as a consultant on the project, calls “Imperial,” would comprise two buildings, according to a letter of intent submitted Sept. 9 to the Middleton Plan Commission: a 10-story residential condominium projected to have to have four penthouses, six townhouses, 75 two-bedroom apartments and 51 one-bedroom apartments; and a five-story apartment building with 23 two-bedroom apartments and 36 one-bedroom apartments.
Tom Sanford, owner of Sanford Enterprises Inc., tells Isthmus that the property is owned by Henry Chen — Imperial Garden and Garden Asian Market, the grocery store, are renters. Sanford is still looking for a developer. It is still being worked out whether Chen will remain owner of the property or choose to sell…