8/28 - 9/3 Updates

City meetings continue to be mostly virtual with details listed in City Meetings of Interest below. Common Council meetings are hybrid so the public can attend in person or via Zoom.Stay in touch with your neighbors through either Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc.  or Campus Area Neighborhood Assoc .***There are three sections to this week's update:

1. Downtown Alder Meet and Greet This Thursday!
2. City Meetings of Interest
3. Downtown Updates
4. City of Madison Updates

Downtown Alder Meet and Greet

Myself, and Alders MGR Govindarajan (D8), Mike Verveer (D4), and Marsha Rummel (D6) will be hosting a meet and greet at Central Library this Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 6:30p - 8:30p.Please make a reservation to attend via https://bit.ly/3QJBJYF. See you there!
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City of Madison Meetings of Interest

Finance Committee — August 28th at 4:30p

Agenda

• Agenda Item 13 ARPA Annual Recovery Report
• Agenda Item 14 Capital Budget Briefing Schedule

Members of the public can register to speak at the virtual Sept 11th 4:30p meeting here.

Sustainable Madison Committee — August 28th at 4:30p

Agenda

• Agenda Item 1 | Madison Sustainability Update

Plan Commission — August 28th at 5:30p

Agenda

• Agenda Item 2 - 4 | 18-30 N Carroll St: Wisconsin Historical Center (Project Plans)

(Read the Wisconsin Historical Society June 2023 Press Release)

Interestingly, after meetings with the 12 indigenous tribes across Wisconsin, the Wiscosnin Historical Society decided to change the the word "museum" to "center". According to indigenous communities the work "museum" tends to look back to a singular story of the past - a past that portays indigenous people as simplistic and primative and not complex and culturally rich. Indigenous leaders gravitated towards the word "center" as the impetus is changing the narrative to become more inclusive. I find this nugget to be an important introduction to debate on approving plans for the new Wisconsin Historic Center. 

Project managers for the Wisconsin Historical Society attended the last Downtown Coordinating Committee meeting and gave a full project overview and breakdown. I was thoroughly impressed with the Wisconsin Historical Society and their collaborationg with indigenous groups to put together an intentional development that will serve as a much needed hub for culture and learning for the city and Wisconsin.

The current museum is in dire need of expansion to meet the demand and curiosity of the people of Wisconsin. Right now, the museum museum can serve 75,000 people on a good year due to limited size and space. The new center will be able to welcome 200,000 people and double the amount of students served to 60,000. That is tens of thousands more people we can bring to Madison to engage with stories of the past. 

The floor plan on each floor is designed to equitably meet the diverse needs of visitors. "Visitors will enter a large, open lobby that will feature space for public programming, a retail storefront and dedicated areas to serve students and community groups," (Wisocnsin Historical Society press release). The lobby will feature an expansive wooden staircase resembling the region's long history of water travel and recent recovery of two ancient canoes dugout from Lake Mendota. The second floor will host a rotating gallery for local groups and national sought-after traveling exhibits, such as the Van Gogh Exhibit (the current museum space could not hold such an exhibit). The third floor will house two permanent galleries, one of Wisconsin's identity in American culture and another of interactive exploration of American and regional Soveign Nation experiences. The fourth floor will have an immerive gallery the provokes the feeling of being outdoors. The fifth floor will offer event spaces to host a variety of public and private gathering spaces. 

Just summarizing what we could/will have with aproving these plans gives me chills. It is very obvious that the Wisconsin Historical Society worked dilligently to gain extensive feedback from tribal nations and put forth a development that centers our priority for diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

I understand that there are naysayers to this proposal. An idea propigated from a place that the current "historic" buildings have more importance the histories that could be told and shared with the new center. I find this dissent as ironic as it is misguided. 

Preservation of historic buildings is often used to provide a sense of permanence and identity. The 2020 Historic Preservation Plan specifically states, "Today preservation contributes to neighborhood revitalization, sustainability, and awareness of historical and cultural events." This may be true in cases that attempts to completely wash away the building in lieu of a completely new development that does little to acknowledge the past. Such reasoning in the case of the Wisconsin History Center is improper as denying the development would serve as the antithesis of revitalization, sustainability, and sharing of history and culture. 

The Comprehensive Plan of 2018 further supports the Wisconsin Historic Center:

Strategy 7 under Land Use and Planning: Maintain downtown Madison as a major Activity Center for the region while improving access and inclusivity.
This strategy calls to "Facilitate partnerships with community organizations to host more downtown events that attract a wider variety of demographic groups." I see this as clearly meet by creating more spaces for collaborative engagement and cummunity spaces. 

Strategy 3 under Neighborhoods and Housing: Create safe and affirming community spaces that bring people together and provide social outlets for underrepresented groups.
There is a clear argument here that entire floors dedicated to public gathering spaces that can host community events meets this guideline. Further, the intentional design of the building that promotes DEI concepts would provide a safe space for people of indigenous and underrepresented populations to gather. 

Strategy 2 under Culture and Character: Preserve historic and special places that tell the story of Madison and reflect racially and ethnically diverse cultures and histories.
More specifically it states, "Promoting Native peoples’ history in the region...are a couple examples of opportunities to grow and enhance tourism." This standard is clearly met by extensive engagement with the 12 tribal nations of Wisconsin, alongside a permanent exhibit on native history and an overall design that incorporates the cultural significance of nature and water to indigenous populations. Claiming otherwise is a slap in the face to the tribal nations that engaged in this process. 
 

“The Madison area is the Ho-Chunk Nation’s ancestral home, a history not often included in

Madison, which usually prioritizes references to people like John Nolen and Frank Lloyd Wright.” Missy Tracy, Cap Times 2018. 

Strategy 2 under Green and Resilient: Improve lake and stream water quality.
The Wisconsin Historic Center would offer a sustainable building design that is far more energy and environmentally friedly than the current buildings. They will also incorporate native plants and existing plantings in the design. 

***
Overall, my opinion is clear that we should approve plans for the Wisconsin Historical Center. But if my opinion is not enough, please refer to the staff memo or come to the meeting tonight. I hope that folx can share the enthusiasm for a quality center that will be a new home for our history. As always, you can reach out to me with questions, comments, or concerns. 
 

Downtown Updates

Brayton Lot Redevelopment Information 

Overview
Last week, staff presented to the public about the Brayton Lot Redevelopment. The Brayton Lot is the last non-developed full block in downtown Madison. It presents an amazing opportunity for the city to accomplish some of our goals. Even if you did not make the public meeting, there is still plenty of time and room for engagement. This will go through the committee process, staff will provide regular project updates, and alders will continue to engage the community during meetings. If you have any information you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or the lead staff members: Rebecca Cnare (rcnare@cityofmadison.com), Bill Fruhling (bfruhling@cityofmadison.com), and Dan Rolfs (drolfs@cityofmadison.com). Please complete this feedback survey.

2023 DMI Annual Celebration

Thurs. Sept 21 4:30p - 7:30pMonona Terrace Community and Convention Center

 

City of Madison Updates

Metro BRT Updates

“Work on the BRT system continues along Mineral Point Road, Whitney Way and Sheboygan Avenue, University at Midvale, Anderson Street, and East Washington Avenue. Highlights over the next couple weeks include the reopening of travel lanes along Mineral Point, beginning water and sewer work at the Junction Road Park and Ride, and continued concrete pours all along the line…Work has begun on East Washington at several new locations, including Baldwin, Paterson, and Blair Streets. Your patience and cooperation is appreciated as our work continues through late summer and into fall. Each location can take up to 3-4 months to complete, but factors ranging from inclement weather to supply issues can change these timelines. Having multiple sites open at once ultimately means the project will be done sooner at lower cost to the city, even though some sites may be open with no active work being performed. The safety of our crews and all roadway users is our top priority. Construction crews are working closely with the city to safely manage traffic and travel at each site with as little inconvenience as possible.Please feel free to reach out to BRTconstruction@cityofmadison.com if you have any concerns.”

Save the Date: Madison Public Market Open House Sept. 12th at 5-8p

(200 N. First St. near E. Johnson & N. First)The Market is only a few short months away from ground-breaking. Let's celebrate all we have accomplished! The open house will feature 20+ local vendors, including exciting newer businesses and a few of Madison's long-time favorites. Vendors will have available culinary offerings inspired by a variety of cultures, in addition to unique handmade goods. Shoutout to Chocolate Shoppe who will be giving out free scoops of ice cream <3

Madison Public Library Community Input for Strategic Planning

Link to feedback session and survey.Feedback session, Sept. 20th at 12p-1:30pComplete a short 11-minute survey by Sept 30th

Vision Zero Safety Improvement Projects and Speed Limit Reductions

Redesigning our streets to make them safer for all users is critical in meeting the goal of eliminating serious and fatal crashes. In 2023, Vision Zero improvements are happening throughout Madison, working to make our streets safer for everyone, regardless of whether people are walking, taking transit, biking or driving.“We are consistently reviewing safety data and gaps in our existing infrastructure to identify improvements that support safety and improve Madison’s overall connectivity,” said Yang Tao, City Traffic Engineer.Vision Zero infrastructure improvements happen through larger reconstruction projects, as well as through spot improvements as a part of the Safe Streets Madison Program. Every infrastructure project in the City provides an opportunity to be proactive in building safer streets.
 

Events 

Dane County Farmers' Market - Wednesday Market, Wednesday, August 30, 2023: The Wednesday Dane County Farmers’ Market is located on the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in between the Madison Municipal Building and the City County Building. While more intimate than the Saturday Market, you will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, bakery items, cut flowers, plants, and many specialty items.

Free Hands-Only CPR & AED Class, Wednesday, August 30, 2023: Learn life-saving skills with Madison Fire Department EMTs and Paramedics! This class will teach you hands-only CPR, how to use an AED, and help you know what to do if you see someone collapse from sudden cardiac arrest. Registration is free and required.

The Capitol View Farmers’ Market, Wednesday, August 30, 2023: The Capitol View Farmers Market is returning to the North Star Neighborhood! Join us each Wednesday (May 31-October 11, 2023) from 3:00-7:00pm to support local farmers and vendors, enjoy live music and food carts, and make the most of summer in Madison!

Jazz at Five, Wednesday, August 30, 2023: The Jazz at Five Entrepreneurial events are on hold until fall as we get ready to dive into the Performance Series. Enjoy the Jazz at Five performance series at one of our sponsored tables, bring a chair of your own or rent one from the Jazz at Five info tent. Audience members of the free to the public series are also welcome to picnic on the capitol grounds. This year’s Performance Series dates are August 7, 14, 21, 28 and September 4.

LIVE @ Lake Vista: Candace Griffin and Kat Rhapsody, Wednesday, August 30, 2023: Join us at Lake Vista Café on the Monona Terrace rooftop for live music in a relaxed atmosphere. Lake Vista Café will have a menu featuring delicious fare and drinks for purchase until 7 p.m., including buy one get one free appetizers from 4 – 6 p.m.

Barre3 at The Glen, Wednesday, August 30, 2023: Join Madison's barre3 and Madison Parks Foundation on fairway #1 at The Glen Golf Park for a heart-pumping, joy-filled workout.

Taste of Madison, Saturday, September 2-3, 2023: Join 250,000 of your closest friends at the largest end of the summer picnic, Taste of Madison. Held since 1983, the Taste of Madison features over 80 restaurants, 3 live entertainment stages, 26 beverage stands, and this years special attraction, Lambeau Field Live! There is no admission charge for the event, that’s right, it’s free to enter - food and beverage is available for additional charge (cash only).

Bird & Nature Adventures | Tenney Park, Saturday, September 2, 2023: Nature-expert guided walks in Tenney Park along Lake Mendota and the Yahara River Parkway bike path through the Madison Isthmus are free, family-friendly and held the first Saturday of each month, from 2:30-4pm. The walk begins at the Tenney Beach parking lot, 1330 Sherman Avenue. No registration is required. No pets are allowed. Co-sponsored by Madison FUN Friends of Urban Nature, Madison Parks, Madison Audubon Society , Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association  and Friends of the Yahara River Parkway .

Bird & Nature Adventures | Cherokee Marsh, North, Sunday, September 3, 2023: Cherokee Marsh is Madison’s largest conservation park with three units - North, South, and Mendota. Each month, year-round we explore the north unit's beautiful trails through the woodlands, wetlands, and restored prairies along the Yahara ‘Catfish’ River. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Friends of Cherokee Marsh , Sierra Club and Madison Audubon Society . Follow North Sherman Ave. to the parking lot at the end of the gravel entrance road. Free, family-friendly guided nature walks at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park – North are held on the 1st Sunday of each month, year-round 1:30-3pm. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.

Announcements

Public Health Offers Free Private Well Testing for “Forever Chemicals”: Public Health Madison & Dane County is providing free PFAS water testing for eligible homeowners with private wells in Dane County.

Madison Public Library to Host Spanish-Language Book Fair to Kick Off Hispanic Heritage Month: MADISON, WI -- In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Madison Public Library will host a Spanish-Language Book Fair on Saturday, September 16 from 9:30AM-2PM.
 

Streets Division Updates

 August Moving Days: How to Recycle Televisions, Computers, and other Electronics: Electronics must be delivered to the Streets Division’s drop-off sites, or to a reputable private electronics recycler in the area . These steps will protect your data and ensure the hazardous materials inside them are handled and recycled safely.

Food Scraps Recycling thru October 31:  Come to the Eastside Farmers’ Market and the South Madison Farmers’ Market to drop off the following food scraps:  raw fruits and vegetables, including peelings, cores, etc., coffee grounds, grains, rice and eggshells.

Final Brush Pickup ends week of September 10 and Yard Waste & Leaf pickup begins week of October 8.