In response to feedback from city staff and downtown Madison neighbors, a developer has downsized a concept proposal for the redevelopment of a property on East Wilson and South Blair Streets, the current site of Essen Haus German restaurant, Come Back In tavern and other properties.

The plans were altered to save four houses on South Blair Street. Lance McGrath, owner of the McGrath Property Group, confirmed in an email that demolishing those houses is no longer on the table.

“After several meetings with the neighborhood and Alder (Marsha) Rummel it was very clear to us that the four homes are very important to the neighborhood. At this point we are separating those parcels from our proposal entirely — and we do not have a plan yet for them,” he wrote.

In March, Ald. Marsha Rummel announced on her blog that McGrath Property Group had an accepted offer to purchase the “Essen Haus properties." That includes a large surface parking lot, Essen Haus Restaurant and Bar at 514 E. Wilson St., Come Back In bar at 508 E. Wilson St., and four rental houses from 110 to 118 S. Blair St. At the time, Tim Parks, a planner for the city, said the mixed-use development called for about 250 apartment units, but noted "what we know now may still evolve."