Highlights for the Week of May 30, 2022

• No Streets Division Collections on Memorial Day, May 30, 2022 - Drop-off sites will also be closed. Madison residents who normally have their trash and recycling collected on Mondays by the Streets Division should instead place their scheduled cart(s) to the curb for pickup by 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31.

• Metro Service Reduced on Monday, May 30

• Administrative offices are closed on Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day. Emergency services will be open; please call 911. You may use Report a Problem for non-emergencies. [Holiday Schedules] 

On Tuesday, May 31, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Policy and Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 6 PM to discuss the proposed network redesign expected to go into effect in June of 2023. People interested in providing feedback are encouraged to attend the hearing or submit comments ahead of time by filling out an online form at mymetrobus.com/feedback, emailing mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com or calling (608) 266-4466.

• Legistar Link
• Agenda
• Register to Speak
• Watch Meeting

Metro Redesign Background

For the past year, Metro Transit staff have been working on a complete redesign of Metro's service to make it more equitable, more efficient, and more effective at getting people where they need to go. It also prepares Metro service for the implementation of a bus rapid transit system (BRT) in 2024.

In addition, the redesign aims to address a number of concerns and complaints of Metro's current service that have been relayed through the years including:

• Travel times and time spent waiting for a bus are too long
• People of color transfer more than 2.5 times more than others, with trips twice as likely to take more than 45 minutes
• Need for improved access to jobs

Metro has put forward a draft plan and has been collecting community input since February on what works and what might need to be changed.

• Complete Details
• Draft Plan
• Proposed Amendments
• Watch Previous Community Meetings

Complete information on the redesign can be found here.

Metro staff presented an update on the proposed Metro Transit Network Redesign at Transportation Policy and Planning Board on Monday, May 16th and a Community Public Hearing on Thursday, May 19th. You can watch both [similar] videos here: Community Engagement.

Of note to District 19 residents is the proposed Amendment 6a. 

Other News

• The Common Council approved the 2022 Lake Mendota Street Reconstruction. Construction will begin on Lake Mendota Dr. from Baker Ave. to Epworth Ct., and Capital Ave. from Lake Mendota Dr. to the lake in August.

• Curbside Yard Waste Collection Now Complete; Collection Will Return in the Fall

• From the Mayor:

  • New Large Item Collection System a Resounding Success
  • Summer Violence Prevention Strategies Focus on Youth Engagement

• Metro Transit Public Art Project Finalists - Four finalists will develop proposals for a public art project on the Metro Transit Maintenance Facility on East Washington Ave

• Madison Arts Commission awards $450,000 in grants to support creative workforce - The Artists At Work grant program will fund 22 positions at local organizations.

• "Wear Orange" Walk & Rally to Raise Awareness of Gun Violence - Friday, June 3

• Electronics Recycling Event: June 4 at Warner Park - From 8:00am to 1:00pm. Only certain electronics will be accepted. There will be no cost to drop off these select electronics during the event. The event is open to Madison residents as well as to members of the surrounding communities. Businesses may not bring their electronics to this event. 

• Town of Madison Attachment Public Meeting Scheduled - Thursday, June 9

• From Parks: 

  • Beaches Opening This Weekend!
  • Madison and Dane County Parks Host Free Disc Golf Day - Saturday, May 28
  • Yahara Hills Golf Course: 36 Holes Open for Play

• Friends of Madison Public Library BIG BOOK SALE - June 4

• Wisconsin Book Festival Celebrates 20th Anniversary

• Seven Resumes Received for District 11 Common Council Vacancy

• The Common Council Executive Committee has recommended Former Alder Matt Phair fill the recent vacancy for District 20 Alder. If confirmed by the Common Council on June 7th, Phair will serve until April 2023.

For information about additional City meetings scheduled for this week, please consult the City Meeting schedule.

• Safety Saturday on the Square is coming on June 11, 8am-1pm! Join the Madison Fire Department, MGE, and other community partners for fun activities and information about fire safety, bike safety, car safety, water safety, and much more! Read more here.

• The City of Madison Engineering Division will hold an online public information meeting to provide information on proposed dredging at the public Spring Harbor Park Boat launch on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm. [More details] 

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., feel free to reach out: district19@cityofmadison.com

-Keith F