Week of July 21st

Dear Neighbors,

There’s a lot happening in Madison this weekend! From Maxwell Street Days and the Dane County Fair to the Coldplay concert and Wicked at the Overture Center – if you are going to be traveling downtown, please be sure to drive safely and keep an eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Earlier this week, I met leaders from Madison Street Medicine with Alder Sabrina Madison to learn more about the Campground at Dairy Drive and the future of services for those in our community experiencing homelessness. 

We had a long Common Council meeting on Tuesday night, with an incredible amount of engagement from residents across the city. Thank you to everyone who came out, registered your opinions on issues, and spoke during public comment. Our democracy is stronger when more people participate.

At this meeting, we passed the three Housing Forward initiatives. While there is no one single fix to Madison’s housing crisis, these policies are a step in the right direction and will allow for the building of smaller high-quality homes, town homes, and more of the incredibly important “missing middle” housing. These are not the last steps that the city will be taking to address housing in Madison, and I look forward to joining my collogues on the council in tackling these issues further.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Public Information Meeting regarding the redesign of South Stoughton Road (US-51) last week. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the meeting as it was scheduled at the same time as Common Council. However, I reviewed all the materials that were presented and have been in conversation with city staff and other local leaders about the proposals. I look forward to sharing my thoughts in a future blog, so stay tuned!

Thank you again for your engagement. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out at district16@cityofmadison.com. I’m eager to hear from you!

-Sean

Office Hours

I am looking forward to meeting with residents this Thursday, July 24th, at Twisted Grounds Coffee on Cottage Grove Road for my first round of office hours. If you have questions or concerns about city issues – or just want to say hello – feel free to stop by!

1. July 24th – 10:00am-12:00pm at Twisted Grounds Coffee in Madison
2. August 13th – 2:00-4:00pm at Ed Locke Public Library in McFarland

If you can’t make these dates, keep an eye out for future office hours! I will continue to host them on different days, times, and locations across the district to try to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. If you have information you would like to send ahead of time, please email it to me at district16@cityofmadison.com.

Madison LakeWay Public Information Meeting:

On Monday, July 21st, there will be a virtual public meeting at 6:30pm to review the ongoing design development for the upcoming Madison LakeWay improvements. Phase #1 is a 0.6-mile stretch of Lake Monona’s shoreline adjacent to John Nolen Drive. Community members are invited to review the progress and share input on proposed lakeshore features.

What to Expect

• A look at the design progress since the completion of the schematic phase earlier this year
• An overview of the proposed lakeshore amenities
• An update on project's next steps
• Opportunities to provide feedback and ask questions

Project Timeline

• Schematic design completion: Early 2025
• Design development: Through August 2025
• Construction documents: Late 2025 – Early 2026
• Public Works bidding: Fall 2026
• Construction begins: Anticipated in 2027

Madison Parks is working in close coordination with other city agencies, including City Engineering, to align the LakeWay improvements with the planned reconstruction of John Nolen Drive, which is slated to start in Fall of 2025.

Meeting Registration: Madison LakeWay - Design Develpoment PIM

Imagination Center Public Art Call:

The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will be an incredible new community space on the east side! The City of Madison and the Madison Arts Commission are looking for artists to create original artwork to serve as a centerpiece for the outdoor patio area.

Timeline:

• Application Window Opens – July 17th
• Application Window Closes – August 27th
• Finalists Announced – March 2026
• Instillation – Early September 2026

The selected artwork will become part of Madison's first park-based library, serving residents in the northeast area of the city. The Imagination Center aims to be a hub for social interaction, civic engagement, and cultural expression, making this public art commission particularly significant for community identity and pride.

On Thursday, May 8th, the city broke ground on the Imagination Center. To stay up to date with the project, you can subscribe to the newsletter and follow along on the Madison Public Library’s website.  

Parks Alive:

Parks Alive helps build stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music, and free food. Events are held in parks across the city throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! All events start at 5:00pm.

• Parks Alive at Galaxy Park on Monday, July 21
• Parks Alive at Sandburg Park on Tuesday, July 22
• Parks Alive at Hammersley Park on Wednesday, July 23

You can find additional City of Madison Parks events listed on the parks event calendar. If you would like to volunteer at a Parks Alive event, visit the city’s volunteer website.

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.

• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 23, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items of interest include:
  • Agenda Item #2 – An update on the S. Stoughton Road Study & Project.
  • Agenda item #3 – An update on Curb Management.
    • Meeting Details
    • Meeting Agenda
    • Register for Public Comment
    • Watch Online
• Housing Policy Committee: The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, July 24, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items of interest include:
  • Agenda Item #2 – An update & staff presentation on Madison’s Housing Snapshot report.
    • Meeting Details
    • Meeting Agenda
    • Register for Public Comment
    • Watch Online

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)

• East Isthmus and Yahara River Watershed Study, Thursday, July 24: The city will be hosting a third virtual public meeting for the East Isthmus and Yahara River Watershed Study on Thursday, July 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Registration prior to the meeting is required. July 24 Public Information Meeting Registration

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Announcements and News Releases

• Amigos en Azul helps dozens of families at car seat clinic: MADISON, Wis. – Officers involved in Amigos en Azul assisted more than 30 families at this week’s car seat clinic.Officers checked to make sure car seats were installed properly and provided one to families free of charge if needed. In all, 45 car… [posted July 18, 2025]
• 20 is Plenty Officially Launches in Madison: The City of Madison is excited to share the updated progress for Phase 2 of the 20 is Plenty program, which began in the winter of 2024 under the Vision Zero Initiative. This second phase will expand the speed reduction initiative citywide, with neighborhood sign installations expected to be completed by August 2025. [posted July 18, 2025]
• City of Madison, UW-Madison Update Neighborhood Indicators Project Data: New data on housing, health and more in the City of Madison are now available as part of the latest update to the Neighborhood Indicators Project (NIP). [posted July 18, 2025]
• Reverend Wright Human Rights Award Recipient, Edward Murray, Jr.: The 28th Annual Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award goes to Edward (Ed) L. Murray, Jr., a founding member of 100 Black Men of Madison and a dedicated member of the Dane County branch of the NAACP. [posted July 16, 2025]
• Traffic Impacts for Opera in the Park: Multiple streets will be impacted this weekend for the annual Opera in the Park event. [posted July 16, 2025]
• Street Closure for Maxwell Street Days: Multiple streets will be closed this weekend for the annual Maxwell Street Days event. [posted July 16, 2025]
• Madison Common Council Approves Housing Proposals: Immediate Release July 15, 2025, Tonight, the Madison Common Council unanimously approved three proposals designed to make it easier to build a range of homes, increase flexibility for homeownership, and make it easier to permit small and… [posted July 15, 2025]
• Overdose Spike Alert: Risk of Drug Overdose Increased in Dane County (link is external): On July 15, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued a public health alert due to an increase, or spike, in drug overdoses in our community. [posted July 15, 2025]
• Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Coldplay at Camp Randall Stadium: The City of Madison is announcing several street closures and parking restrictions in preparation for the Coldplay concert at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, July 19. These measures are intended to support pedestrian safety and event… [posted July 15, 2025]
• Protect Trees from Weed Killer: The City of Madison Streets and Urban Forestry Division would like to remind residents that incorrect application of weed killers (herbicides) near trees can damage, or even mortally wound them. There are ways to keep our lawns looking their best… [posted July 14, 2025]
• City Engineering’s Pleasant View Road Project Earns ‘Project of the Year’: The City of Madison Engineering Division is proud to announce the Pleasant View Road Project is the American Public Works Association (APWA), Wisconsin Chapter, 2025 Project of the Year. [posted July 14, 2025]

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

• Monday Mornings at The Glen, Monday, July 21, 2025: Enjoy The Glen for a stroll, nature, workout or leashed dog walk from sunrise to 8:00 am. Tee times resume at hole #1 at 8:00am. Visitors should be alert for golf balls and golfers while exiting the course.
• WPGA Jr. Odana Junior Tour, Monday, July 21: This tour has events located all around the state of Wisconsin. Events are for Wisconsin residents and Out of state residents may now participate in our events. No handicap required. These events are 18 hole tournaments typically starting with 8 a.m. tee times. Age divisions are 16-18, 14-15, 12-13 for boys and girls.
• Movie in the Park | A Minecraft Movie, Monday, July 21: Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park! Movie: A Minecraft Movie(link is external) (2025) PG 1h 41m, Showtime: 6:30pm.
• Lakeside Kids: Power Dance Kids, Tuesday, July 22: Join us for another exciting summer season of Lakeside Kids! – a free, interactive series featuring science, culture, arts and entertainment. Designed for kids ages 4+, this event provides hands on fun and learning in an engaging and dynamic setting. 
• WPGA Jr. The Glen Future Tour, Tuesday, July 22: Located around the state, this tour offers 9-hole tournament experience. Juniors must be 14 and under to play on this tour. This tour is more for juniors who are not yet ready to play 18 holes. Juniors under the age of 12 must play in a Future tour event to qualify them to play in Junior Tour events. Age divisions are 12-14 and 11 & under for boys and girls. Juniors on this tour typically play from the forward to middle tees. Events typically start at 8:30 a.m.
• Homebuyer Education Course Part 1 of 3, Tuesday, July 22: This HUD-Certified Homebuyer Education Course assists aspiring homeowners with making informed decisions and to potentially qualify for specialized loan programs. Topics covered include: entire homebuying process including pre-approval; money management and credit; and down payment assistance programs.
• Movie in the Park | Rudy, Tuesday, July 22: Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park! Movie: Rudy(link is external) (1993) PG 1h 54m, Showtime: 6:30pm.
• Live @ Lake Vista: carisa (Folk/ Jazz/ Bedroom Café), Wednesday, July 23: Join us at Lake Vista Café on the rooftop overlooking lovely Lake Monona for live music in a relaxed atmosphere. carisa’s music is best categorized as bedroom cafe. It hints at some of her influences, primarily bossa nova, folk, and jazz. Her lyrics are often straight from the pages of her journal and are always autobiographical in some way.
• Concerts on the Rooftop: Gold Dust Women (Fleetwood Mac/Heart Tribute), Thursday, July 24: Gold Dust Women isn’t just a tribute band—it’s a powerhouse of top-tier musicians, each a standout performer in their own right. When these dynamic personalities come together on stage, they create pure magic, bringing the music of Fleetwood Mac, Heart, and a few unexpected surprises to life with electrifying energy.
• Brat Fry Friday, Friday, July 25: Come join us for lunch at the links!  The grill will be fired up from 10am-3pm for a delicious afternoon treat.  
• Live at The Glen | DJ Chamo, Friday, July 25: Madison Parks Foundation is proud to present Live at The Glen! Enjoy live music on the patio at The Glen Golf Park. From Venezuela, DJ Chamo(link is external) spreads Latin beats worldwide.  Come out to hear the latest and greatest from DJ Chamo as he plays the best of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Reggaeton!
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, July 26 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Glen, a unique mixed-use outdoor recreation golf park located in the heart of Madison, WI, is more than just a place to play golf. It's a community hub where nature and recreation meet. We're on a mission to make The Glen a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone – and we need your help!  Volunteering at The Glen offers you a unique opportunity to contribute to your community, learn new skills, grow personally and professionally, and connect with like-minded individuals.
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Thoreau Elementary School, Saturday, July 26: All vaccines are free to those eligible, including children six months and older who do not have insurance, are under 19, and are Alaskan Native or American Indian, have BadgerCare, and have most other types of insurance.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, July 26: Join a naturalist for an easy, family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walks through the Edna Taylor Conservation Park are held on the 4th Saturday, 10-11:30am each month.
• Disability Pride, Saturday, July 26: This annual event, hosted by www.DisabilityPrideMadison.org(link is external), celebrates the diversity and talents of Madison's disabled community.  Join us for food, fun, entertainment, activities, and more.
• Movie in the Park | Inside Out 2, Saturday, July 26: Join Downtown Madison's Business Improvement District (BID) and Madison Parks for a free movie in Peace Park! Movie: Inside Out 2(link is external) (2024) PG 1h 36m, Showtime: 8:30pm.

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