East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council

Pamela Hathaway, Facilitator
1321 East Mifflin Street, Suite 201
Madison, WI 53703
Tel: 608-204-0834
Fax: 608-204-0835
Web Address: http://eastisthmus.org
Email:  Hathaway@eastisthmus.org 

The East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council (EINPC) is a grassroots coalition of diverse neighborhood and business associations located within Madison’s East Isthmus. The East Isthmus area is a community of approximately 35,000 residents and business owners, and is home to some of Madison’s oldest working-class neighborhoods like Oscar Mayer, and more affluent neighborhoods like Tenney-Lapham and Marquette. Madison's third planning council, started by grassroots organizing of neighborhood leaders, was recognized by a Common Council resolution in February of 2000, the EINPC is an independent non-profit organization funded by the City of Madison, Madison Community Foundation, MGE, and individual donors. The EINPC is governed by representatives of its member neighborhood and business associations and residents at-large, who work to create a vehicle for greater citizen participation and involvement in the decisions and issues that affect East Isthmus neighborhoods.

The East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council’s mission is to strengthen the east Madison community by supporting neighborhood-based organizations and facilitating community-driven planning and action.

Some ways we work to accomplish this:

·      Support neighbor-to-neighbor relationships

·      Build relationships among business, neighborhood, and non-profit organizations

·      Provide training and assistance for developing inclusive and effective organizations

·      Offer resources for collaborative, participatory planning processes

·      Organize grassroots participation

·       Facilitate dialogue to build consensus

·      Work effectively with City agencies

·      Enhance information exchange

That east Madison is part of a vibrant and earth-sustaining community where decisions that affect the general community include the voices of everyone affected, and where all share equally in the benefits of community life.

Uniting and strengthening east Madison neighborhoods

• Northwest: Lake Mendota Shoreline from North Butler Street to the Yahara River/Tenney Locks; Sherman Avenue from the Yahara River/Tenney Locks to Fordem Avenue; Fordem Avenue from Sherman to the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad; the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad from Fordem to Commercial Avenue; Commercial Avenue to Packers Avenue; Packers Avenue to International Lane; International Lane to Anderson Street; Anderson Street to Stoughton Road.
• East: Stoughton Road from Anderson Street to East Washington Avenue; East Washington Avenue from Stoughton Road to Parkside Drive; Parkside Drive from East Washington Avenue to Lien Road; Lien Road from Parkside Drive to North Thompson Drive; North Thompson Drive to the Soo Line Railroad; the Soo Line Railroad to North Stoughton Road; North Stoughton Road to Cottage Grove Road.
• South: Cottage Grove Road from Stoughton Road to Monona Drive; Monona Drive from Cottage Grove Road to Olbrich Avenue and the City of Monona Boundary; the City of Monona Boundary to the Lake Monona Shoreline; the Lake Monona Shoreline to South Blair Street.
• Southwest: Blair Street from the Lake Monona Shoreline to East Washington Avenue; East Washington Avenue from Blair Street to Webster Street; Webster Street from East Washington Avenue to North Hamilton Street; North Hamilton Street to North Butler Street; North Butler Street to the Lake Mendota Shoreline.

Carpenter-Ridgeway, Eastmorland, Eken Park, Emerson East, Hawthorne, Marquette, Mayfair Park, Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara, Tenney-Lapham, Truax, and Worthington Park Neighborhood Associations, and At-Large Representation from area Business Associations and other community organizations.

Neighborhood Organizing and Capacity-Building: The EINPC provides technical and moral support to neighborhood leaders to help them form and strengthen East Isthmus neighborhood organizations. 

Citizen Forums: The EINPC brings together residents, neighborhood leaders, government officials, City staff, private developers, community service providers, and business organizations to discuss the future of the East Isthmus.

Grassroots Leadership College: in collaboration with the Northside and South Metropolitan Planning Councils, the EINPC has launched a new, citywide training program for neighborhood and community leaders. This exciting program includes hands-on projects, one-to-one mentoring, group classes with dinner and childcare, and lots of support and fun. For more information call coordinator Amy Mondloch at 441-0085 or see: http://www.grassrootsleadershipcollege.org and http://www.cityofmadison.com/neighborhoods/LeaderCol.htm.

Union Corners Redevelopment: The EINPC facilitated a public input process for the former Rayovac factory and Kohl’s grocery store area, in collaboration with developers McGrath Associates, District 6 Alder Judy Olson, and City staff. The Planning Studio is met biweekly Nov. 2003 -May 2004, and periodic follow-up meetings are still being held.  See http://www.unioncorners.org/ for more information.

Email discussion list: This list provides an ongoing forum for digitally-connected residents to communicate views and ideas on projects and issues within the East Isthmus. Visit  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/einpc/ to see the archive or subscribe to the list. 

Newsletter: The EINPC has launched its own quarterly newsletter, East Isthmus Roots. To subscribe, contribute, or for advertising rates, contact Pam at 204-0834 or Hathaway@eastisthmus.org .

Friends of Starkweather Creek: This independent group was started with support from the EINPC. The Starkweather is a largely urban stream with two main branches. Its watershed is much of the eastern and northern areas of the City of Madison, as well as some Town of Burke and Town of Madison lands. This citizen’s group is dedicated to the enhancement of the watershed's environmental quality. The group seeks to raise public awareness and appreciation of the creek through education and outreach to watershed residents, businesses and landowners and serve as advocates for sound watershed planning and management practices. See their website at: http://www.madison.com/communities/starkweather/related.php

Monthly Meetings

The East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Call the EINPC office at 204-0834 to find out the location. All meetings are open to the public. EINPC strives to maximize accessibility for all of its public functions. Meetings are held at physically accessible locations. Requests for child care and other accommodations may be made by notifying the EINPC facilitator 5 business days prior to the event.