Imagination Center fully funded in Mayor's 2026 Executive Operating Budget, Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 13, 2025

Hello, 

It's been a busy few months.  In September I got to celebrate myself a bit.  I was named to In Business Madison's second annual Power 100 list! It's a beautiful recognition - to be included alongside so many talented and driven leaders, doers, and changemakers across the community. 

I'm grateful for the honor and ready to lean in even harder into making impact. 

In today's update you'll find: 

• Updates on the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park
• Info on this month's District 17 community engagement dinner
• Meeting and event highlights for the week

Enjoy the sun, 

Alder Madison

Imagination Center at Reindahl Park updates: 

Imagination Center fully funded in Mayor's 2026 Executive Operating Budget

I’m so excited to share that the Mayor has officially included full funding for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park in her 2026 Executive Operating Budget!

This is such a big win for our district — and truly, it’s been a long time coming. I’ve spent the past few years talking with neighbors, listening to families, and advocating hard to make sure our area of the city gets the investment it deserves. To know that we’re now fully funded and on track to open the Imagination Center in September 2026 feels so good.

The best part? This funding means we can move forward without cutting existing library services — that’s another win for our local libraries.

I want to thank everyone who’s been part of this work — from residents who showed up and shared what they wanted to see, to city staff and library leaders who kept pushing this project along even when it felt far away. Every single voice and every ounce of advocacy mattered.

We’re building something really brilliant here — a place for families, youth, and neighbors to learn, grow, and and connect. The Imagination Center is for all of us.

More updates to come as the budget process moves along, but for now — let’s take a moment to celebrate this progress together.

Subscribe to updates for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park.

— Alder Sabrina Madison

In the news: 

• Meet the Finalists Selected for Public Art at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park
• Madison’s new community center library will address a ‘resource desert’ in the Reindahl Park neighborhood
• Imagination Center is one for the books

"Sabrina Madison, alder for District 17 and a self-proclaimed “library nerd,” obtained similar feedback from neighbors and, following her first election in April 2023, decided to make the Imagination Center her No. 1 priority.

“When I heard that the project was still at risk of not being built, I was like, ‘That is not going to happen,” she said. “I’m going to ensure this happens.”

Madison was re-elected this past April and noted that the area she represents has historically been given less priority than other parts of the city despite being among Madison’s fastest growing and most diverse communities.

“Over here … we have a higher population of folks who are rent-burdened,” she said, “and oftentimes, when you can already barely pay your rent, you don’t have additional money for internet access, for example.”

She said her constituents also felt “super left out” when it came to community meeting spaces.

“They had no place just to get together, to play bridge, maybe a card game, or to host a family reunion — a space that would have indoor amenities,” she said. “We have no senior center … despite having a higher number of elders over here.”

Madison found the lack of free and safe teen-focused spaces particularly troubling.

“I grew up in libraries. Libraries have always been my happy, safe place,” she said. “There’s no central space over here that’s free where teenagers might have programming centered around them. Most, if not all of our libraries, have some programming that’s teen-oriented.”

For years, progress on the Imagination Center was stymied by the obstacle of obtaining adequate funding. The project’s total cost is roughly $18.6 million, including construction.

Madison said backing from other alders as well as Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has helped build momentum, and a Flexible Facilities Program grant from the state of Wisconsin brought $4.25 million to the table." 

• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Investing in Imagination Center

“The Imagination Center is one of my top priorities in 2026 because it’s an investment in one of the fastest growing parts of Madison. Libraries are the heartbeat of a healthy community. Every Madisonian deserves equal access to these important institutions,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway at a news conference. “The Madison Public Library is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. I’m proud to build off the City’s long legacy of supporting access to information for all our residents.”    - Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

• Madison mayor’s 2026 budget: No cuts; funding for new library, homeless shelter
• Madison mayor supports new library by adding more funding in operating budget

Are you registered for the next District 17 Community Engagement Dinner on October 24th? 

Join me on October 24th for the next District 17 Community Engagement Dinner. You'll get district related updates and have the chance to share your feedback and concerns with city agencies. Many thanks to the Sandburg PTO and Sandburg area residents for their partnership to help in engaging families across the area.

• Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
• Time: 5pm - 7pm
• Location: Sandburg Elementary School, 4114 Donald Drive Madison, WI 53704
• Register to attend

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 13, 2025

Updates and Notices

Public Health Offices Closed: Public Health Offices will be closed on Monday, October 13, 2025, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. The City of Madison Offices will remain open and operate regular office hours.

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.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 13, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a briefing on the 2026 Executive Operating Budget, as well as authorizing various applications for grant funding from the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 14, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. This is a budget hearing on the 2026 Executive Operating Budget. Public comment will not be taken at this meeting.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Thursday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building at 215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Agenda items include updates on the Curb Management Framework and the Urban Design Commission Code.
  • 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)

• Public Information Meeting - James Madison Park, Tuesday, October 14: Madison Parks plans to rebuild the existing retaining wall around the Lincoln School Apartments in James Madison Park. Advanced registration is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Road Closure for Tree Planting: Starting at 9am on October 15, City of Madison Forestry will begin grinding tree stumps and planting new trees at 2903 Packers Ave. This work is expected to take 3 hours. [posted October 10, 2025]
• SafeGrowth Initiative Brings New Public Art to Historic Downtown Corridor: West Gilman Street is being transformed by three distinctive public art projects, breathing new creative energy into the historic corridor. [posted October 10, 2025]
• October is Pedestrian Safety Month: As the days grow shorter and more kids walk to and from school, fall is a great time for everyone in Madison to get outside for some fresh air, exercise, and exploration. It’s also the perfect moment to focus on pedestrian safety. [posted October 9, 2025]
• Next Phase of Public Meetings for Southwest and Southeast Area Plans Scheduled: Residents, community organizations, businesses, and others are invited to join in the second phase of the planning for the Southwest and Southeast Area Plans with a series of public meetings in the coming weeks. [posted October 8, 2025]
• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award : The City of Madison invites you to submit nominations for its annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award. [posted October 8, 2025]
• Common Council adopts latest changes to encourage more housing opportunities : City of Madison Alders unanimously approved the latest set of Housing Forward proposals designed to make it easier to build more housing of all types across Madison. [posted October 7, 2025]
• Mayor Releases 2026 Executive Operating Budget : The 2026 Executive Operating Budget proposal funds the services, programs, and staff needed for a well-run and thriving city. [posted October 7, 2025]
• Swearing-In Ceremony for Madison’s New Chief of Police John Patterson:
• The City of Madison and the Madison Police Department invite community members and the media to attend the official swearing-in ceremony for John Patterson as our new Chief of Police. Chief Patterson is a 27-year veteran of the MPD, having served in… [posted October 7, 2025]
• John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Begins Monday, October 13: Reconstruction of John Nolen Drive will begin on Monday, October 13. During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Lakeside Street and Broom Street. North Shore Drive and Broom Street will also be reduced to one… [posted October 6, 2025]
• Update - Nakoma Road Sidewalk Project: The Nakoma Road Sidewalk Project, which began August 27, is progressing as anticipated. The closure of the impacted intersection of Cherokee Drive at Nakoma Road will continue until the week of October 27th as the culvert installation concludes,… [posted October 6, 2025]
• Announcement from the Office of the Independent Monitor: Robin Copley has informed the Police Civilian Oversight Board that she is resigning her position as Independent Police Monitor. [posted October 6, 2025]
• Art Installations Begin at Madison Public Market: Work is now underway to begin installing some of the first pieces of art at Madison Public Market. [posted October 6, 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

• Learn to Fish, Tuesday, October 14: Learn to Fish with Madison Parks. Participants will learn the basics of fishing. The Fishmobile, courtesy of Warner Park Community Recreation Center, will be on site with all the fishing equipment needed to participate.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, October 18: Transitioning to Winter ~ Join Master Naturalist Sean Gere with Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free family friendly guided tour along Starkweather Creek.  Enjoy Fall outdoors and learn how plants, trees, birds, insects and other animals are enjoying the bounty of Summer and getting ready for Winter.
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, October 18 (This event occurs on multiple dates): 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.
• Rock ‘N’ The Well Open House, Saturday, October 18: Rocks! Water! Motion! Welcome to Madison Water Utility’s Rock ‘N’ The Well Open House 2025! This event is FREE to all community members. Show up any time between Noon and 4 pm.
• Hayrides & Hikes, Saturday, October 18: Tour Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit aboard a tractor-pulled hay wagon, enjoy nature activities, take a self-guided hike, participate in the scavenger hunt or do it all! Plus enjoy free hot cider, a campfire, and marshmallows to roast on the fire.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, October 19: Reflections and Changes ~ Join Master Naturalist Lynn Persson for a free family friendly guided nature walk on easy paths along the Warner Lagoon, quiet trails through Warner Woods, and follow the bike path to Sled Hill for a beautiful view of the Wild Side of Warner Park!

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