Madison continues to pave its way as a hub for startups and innovation, as plans take shape to create the StartingBlock Entrepreneurial Center, $69 million project, downtown.

StartingBlock Madison, a nonprofit including some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs, investors, advisers and community members supporting entrepreneurship, led the charge for the new mixed-use space, which passed a first round of approvals in early July. The building project will include space for StartingBlock Madison offices, startup accelerator Gener8tor, collaborative workspace Sector67, and American Family Insurance, among others.

The latest plan gives StartingBlock 50,000 square feet in the first building, to cost $10 million. The building will also include 50,000 square feet for American Family Insurance and another 4,000 square feet for retail space. The second building, to cost $45.5 million, will include a 35,000 performing arts and music venue, 12,000 square feet for retail, a 6,000 square foot food center and 104,000 square feet of office space for entrepreneurs.

Also included in the project is a $12 million parking structure with 600 parking spaces and an additional 15,000 square feet of retail space.

While final approvals and more funding must be garnered before the building becomes a reality, the developer is hoping to break ground on the new complex by the end of 2015, with tenants moving into the space in 2016.

Learn more about the construction project and StartingBlock Madison’s mission.