
Register for the Imagination Center Town Hall + Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of August 19, 2024
postedHello friends,
In today's blog post you'll find:
- Details on the Town Hall for the Imagination Center
- Bus Rapid Transit launch details
- Meeting & Event Highlights for this week
Save the date for: Imagination Center Update: Town Hall to Inform, Educate, Advocate
- Register: https://bit.ly/3SOcDiR
- Date: August 27, 2024
- Time: 5pm - 7pm
- Location: Reindahl Park, 1818 Portage Road Madison, WI 53704
- Watch from WMTV15 News: Proposed budget cuts could impact “Imagination Center” project
- Listen: from City Cast Madison: Why We Need to Talk about the Imagination Center
- Watch: Public comments from Sandburg area residents:
- Kate Pinkston (Sandburg Area Neighborhood Association President) 40:04
- Kara McNeil: 1:33:04

Details: Join us for a Town Hall led by Alder Sabrina Madison and the Sandburg Area Neighborhood Association to discuss the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. Get informed about the current budget threats, educate yourself on the library’s benefits, ask questions, and learn how to advocate effectively to support this important community resource.
Staff from the Library, Finance, Parks, and other agencies will present information and be available to answer questions.
Invited attendees include Madison’s Common Council, the Mayor's Office, and Wisconsin State Legislators.
The proposed “Imagination Center at Reindahl Park” will not be an ordinary library. It will be a transformational space designed and directed by the northeast Madison community.
Bus Rapid Transit to Launch on September 22

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is pleased to announce Madison is entering a new era of public transportation. Metro Transit’s East-West bus rapid transit line is scheduled to start on September 22. The launch of bus rapid transit is a culmination of Mayor Rhodes-Conway's MetroForward initiative kicked off in 2019 to address the transportation needs of our growing city.
“I want to thank the Biden-Harris administration for recognizing that Madison needed a historic investment in our transportation infrastructure. We received nearly $140 million in federal funds to make this possible,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “The launch of the East-West BRT route is a monumental step forward for our community, and our transit system. I’m proud to say we are well on our way to integrating a North-South BRT line as well. September 22 will be a big day for Madison and it’s just the beginning.”
The new Rapid Route A will run on the East-West Rapid Corridor with service running approximately every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. Routes B and F will also operate using the buses, stations, and lanes of BRT but will branch off to serve local stops. The increased frequency of service will be a game-changing development for commuters, young people, and residents seeking efficient transit options. READ MORE.
Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of August 19, 2024
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.
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.
- Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 20, in virtual format at 6:30 p.m. The single agenda items is authorizing the scheduling of a referendum relating to exceeding the municipal property tax limits in the City of Madison.
- Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee: The Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 20, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include the Habitat Management Plan for Moraine Woods Conservation Park.
If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.
Announcements and News Releases
- Northbound Lane Closure – N Lake Street: Starting Monday, August 19, R.G Huston will be restricting N. Lake Street, from University Avenue to Langdon Street, to one southbound lane to facilitate their sanitary sewer replacement project. Vehicles wanting to travel northbound on Lake Street… [posted August 16, 2024]
- Friends of Goodman South Madison Library to Host Book Sale on August 24: The Friends of Goodman South Madison Library are hosting a book sale event that will coincide with the Black Business Hub Ribbon Cutting and the 10th Annual Unity Picnic on Saturday, August 24. [posted August 14, 2024]
- Resurfacing – Maple Grove Road, Putnam Road and Stratford Drive: Starting Tuesday, August 13 Payne and Dolan will be reconstructing the asphalt surface on Maple Grove Road from McKee Road to Putnam Road. Contractors will be working from Chester Drive to McKee Road during the project and will maintain one… [posted August 13, 2024]
- Madison Maintains Aaa Bond Rating 51 Years in a Row : This is the highest possible rating and reflects the City’s strong and diverse economy. [posted August 12, 2024]
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
- Lunch Time LIVE! 8/20: The Tooles: Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance. On Tuesdays - June through August - a FREE outdoor concert series will take place from noon-1pm on the King Street walkway of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Chairs will be available, and blankets and lawn chairs are welcome on the lawn nearby.
- Rooftop Movie Night: In the Heights (PG-13), Tuesday, August 20: Come and enjoy a movie on the beautiful rooftop of Monona Terrace: Based on the stage musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes, In the Heights tells the story of the predominately Dominican community of Washington Heights in New York City, where a bodega owner saves his pennies and pines for a better life back in the Dominican Republic. Directed by John M. Chu, the film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits. (Free and Open to Public, Musical, Runtime – 2hrs 22m)
- Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, August 21: The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and schedules!
- Movie in the Park [Burrows Park], Wednesday, August 21: Grab a blanket or lawn chair and join Madison Parks for a free movie in the park! Top Gun (1986), PG 1h 49m
- Learn to Pontoon with Madison Boats, Thursday, August 22: We've partnered with Madison Boats for this Learn to Pontoon class at Marshall Park. Join our amazing captains as they demonstrate the basics of driving a pontoon boat. This program is limited to adults over 25 looking to gain boating confidence from Madison Boats captains. Participants will learn how to properly drive a pontoon and to learn the basics of boating safety. Cost to participate is $10.55 per person. Register through Madison Boats.
- Orton Park Festival, Friday, August 23, Saturday, August 24 & Sunday, August 25: The 59th annual Orton Park Festival brings an incredible lineup of music to close out the summer, plus Cycropia Aerial Dance, vendors from the best of local restaurants and artists, craft beers and wines, kids' games and more!
- Dane Dances: Grupo Candela / Eddie Butts Band, Friday, August 23: Dane Dances is a free, family-friendly event held every Friday evening in August on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. The much-anticipated summer music series promotes inclusivity for all ages and is a great way to get down and dance with your friends, family, or coworkers.
- Water Lantern Festival, Saturday, August 24: Our event is a family-friendly festival that brings together people from all walks of life. The festival includes local food vendors, music, and the release of water lanterns onto the water at sunset for a 90-minute window.
- Movie in the Park [Peace (Elizabeth Link) Park], Saturday, August 24: Join Downtown Madison's Business Improvement District (BID) and Madison Parks for a free movie in Peace Park! The Little Mermaid (2023), PG 2h 15m
Parks Alive Dates!
Parks Alive builds 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 and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Events start at 5:00 p.m.
- Parks Alive at Hammersley Park on Wednesday, August 21
- Parks Alive at Owl Creek Park, Thursday, August 22
Please find additional upcoming City of Madison Parks events listed on the City parks event calendar.
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.