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Tragedy on South Park Street...plus more updates

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Hi Everyone,

Like many of you, I have been deeply moved by the death of Alexander "Sasha" Rosen who was struck and killed by a driver last Thursday while in the crosswalk on his way to catch a bus to school.

This is a devastating loss, and my heart goes out to his family, friends, and classmates at West High.

I spoke with South District Captain Harrison Zanders last Thursday to learn more about what happened. Captain Zanders informed me an investigation is currently ongoing and more details will be revealed once the investigation is complete.

In addition to the MPD's investigation of the crash, I've also learned Traffic Engineering assembled a rapid response team of experienced engineers to examine the location to make sure that all the traffic control devices are in place in this section of S. Park St, and that they exceed standards, such as speed limit signage (25mph), pedestrian crossing signage, high visibility crosswalks markings, the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), and pavement markings requiring drivers to stop/yield to pedestrians. TE staff are also working on identifying whether there are any immediate short-term improvements, as well as long-term improvements that the city may be able to implement, including those that can be addressed with the upcoming South Park Street reconstruction project.

State Hwy 151 runs along S. Park and the city has limited jurisdiction on S. Park as the controlling agency is the WI Dept. of Transportation. While the city is seeking to assume that authority from the state, in the meantime we are working within WI DOT's parameters in pursuing our goals for improved traffic safety. 

In 2020, Mayor Satya and Common Council embraced the Vision Zero concept for Madison. Since then, we have designed and implemented a new Safe Streets Madison program and funded 237 safety projects so far; we reduced speed limits on over 60 miles of our major streets; we implemented a citywide 20 is Plenty program after piloting it in two neighborhoods; we conducted many public engagement and education events to promote a positive safety culture; and we collaborated with MPD and carried out numerous safety focused traffic enforcement campaigns targeting the City's High Injury Network. We have also been working with a large number of schools across MMSD, including West High, in developing school traffic safety plans and safe route to school plans.

Since we started Vision Zero in 2020, we've reduced traffic fatalities on City controlled roadways by 50%. However, Thursday's loss was a sobering reminder that our work is far from being done. And, yes, stepped up enforcement is part of the solution. 

But there's another part to this, and this speaks to our own individual responses to this heartbreaking tragedy. Sasha's mom, Nadya Rosen, shared her grief on Facebook the day after her son was killed. After discussing the challenges and responsiblity of parenthood, Sasha's mother made this plea:

... for those who drive their cars on South Park Street, that is also a responsibility. One that should be taken seriously. Even if you are going to be late for work. Even if you are trying to find the perfect song to stream. Even if you want to send just one more text. 

The drivers on South Park Street need to pay more attention. We need to watch the crosswalks. We need to stop for pedestrians. We need to stop when the lights flash at the crosswalk. We need to stop if the car in the other lane stops. We need to not drive in the bus/bike lane. And we need to drive the speed limit. The speed limit on South Park Street is 25 mph. That can feel slow. And it is appropriate. 

People who stop at a crosswalk lit up with flashing lights don't kill teenagers who are trying to catch the bus to high school. If all drivers on South Park Street followed those rules, my son would still be here with me, making fun of me being old, and then giving me a massive hug.

Slow down. Put down the cell phone. Pay careful attention to the important task of safe driving. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important.

Here are the rest of this week's updates:

Updates and Notices 

Neighborhood Grants – Due February 10: The Planning Division is accepting grant applications from organizations that serve neighborhoods and groups of 5 or more residents for community enhancement or leadership and capacity building projects.  

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings 

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page. 

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here. 

Public Information Meetings (PIMs) 

Announcements and News Releases 

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted. 

Events 

  • Lakeside Dance Lab: WERQ, Thursday, February 12: WERQ is a cardio dance fitness class that uses pop and hip-hop music to provide an intense and fun workout without the feeling of a traditional workout.  
  • Visit RoundTrip @ Winter Bike to Work Day, Friday, February 13: We’re joining Madison Bikes to celebrate International Winter Bike to Work Day! Stop by and say hi—we’ll be set up just off the Cap City Trail near Machinery Row for a commuter station.  
  • Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, February 13: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo!  
  • Groove & Glide | Vilas, Friday, February 13: Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the stars and lights with music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Groove & Glide events are free to attend and no registration is needed. 
  • Kiddie Basketball Clinic, Saturday, February 7 (This event occurs on multiple dates): This basketball clinic is designed for boys and girls in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Kids will learn the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing and game-play.  
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, February 14: Birds & Animals in Winter ~ Join Naturalist Paul Noeldner on a free fun educational family friendly guided walk to look for and learn about birds and animals in winter when love is in the air! Try making some tracks and see who can guess what they are!  Enjoy hot cocoa and smores around a campfire after the walk. 
  • Pour’n Yer Heart, Saturday, February 14: Pour’n Yer Heart ™ Out is more than just a spectator’s show; it’s a hands-on opportunity to access the art of metal casting. Workshops are open to all who are willing to try something new.  Attendees can enjoy making a deeply unique, hand-crafted iron casting right from scratch! 
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, February 15: Tracks and Signs ~ Join Naturalist Kathlean Wolf  for a free fun educational family friendly guided walk to explore the Wild Side of Warner Park.  We'll look for the footprints, scat, and nests of our wild neighbors, and try to interpret the story of their lives during the coldest part of winter.  We may have hot cocoa and a campfire with smores after the walk. 

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar. 

Take care, drive carefully, and stay safe.

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District 13 - Alder Evers

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