Updates for Week of September 22 - Dairy Drive, Gilman Development Meetings, Week without Driving, and more

Alder Updates

Another week another update!

Dairy Drive

On Tuesday, the city council voted on whether to extend the contract for Dairy Drive. Despite what was written on the agenda item, there was not any imminent money from either the city or the county to extend the contract. Brenda Konkel from Madison Street Medicine had put together a budget the mixed existing HUD funding, existing city funding, MSM’s own funds, and fundraising in order to continue running Dairy Drive through next April. After much deliberation and discussion, the motion to extend the contract failed with 10 ayes, 9 nos, and 1 abstention. Most measures require 11 ayes in order to pass. This was an incredibly difficult decision, and even though I voted yes, I want to thank all my colleagues on the council for the respectful debate. I also want to say thank you to all the people who advocated, it really did make a difference.

Gilman Street Developments

There are 2 new proposed developments on the 400 block of W Gilman street. 

425 N. Frances Street and 450 W. Gilman Street

The meeting for this proposal is tomorrow, September 22 at 5:30PM. You can register at www.cityofmadison.com/MeetingSeptember22Frances. 

Villas Student Housing, LLC proposes to redevelop the properties at 425 N. Frances Street and 450 W. Gilman Street, including where the Porta Bella restaurant is. The existing structures would be demolished and a new, 16-story mixed-use student housing building would be constructed. The new building would have first floor retail and 115 apartment units ranging from 1-bedroom to 5-bedroom for a total of 432 beds. Parking plans include 105 car parking stalls and 240 bicycle parking stalls.

411-433 W Gilman

This meeting is next Monday, September 29, 2025, at 6:00pm. You will receive login information after registering at www.cityofmadison.com/MeetingSeptember29Gilman.

Landmark Properties proposes to redevelop the properties at 411-433 W. Gilman Street. The existing structures would be demolished, and a new, mixed-use building would be constructed. The new building would be 10 stories on the east side and 15 stories on the west side, with a lobby, leasing office, and retail space at ground level and 261 residential units above. The residential units would range from studio to five bedrooms, for a total of 974 beds. Parking plans include 77 stalls for cars and 458 bike parking spaces, which will be within the structured parking, which is underground and part of ground level. The project will dedicate 10% of its beds to students with financial need, offered at discounted rental rates in partnership with the University of Wisconsin under the City of Madison’s affordable student housing ordinance.

Week Without Driving

Week Without Driving starts on Sepetember 29. 30-40% of Madison residents don't drive, for various reasons. Week Without Driving is a way for community leaders and residents to experience and understand how those who don't drive navigate our transportation systems. By personally experiencing these systems, it helps decision makers understand how these systems can be improved for all users.

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of September 22, 2025 

Updates and Notices

Trash, Recycling, & Brush: Collection schedules for trash and recycling, brush, and yard waste.

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.

Housing Policy Committee 

The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, September 25, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include allowing accessory dwelling units to have two units.

• 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)

• John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Project, Monday, September 22: The John Nolen Drive Reconstruction project (E Lakeside St to S Broom St) is anticipated to start construction in early-October 2025. In advance of this significant project, the project team will be hosting a public information meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

• Warner Park and Cherokee Marsh Watershed Study, Tuesday, September 23: The City of Madison is conducting a watershed study in the Warner Park and Cherokee Marsh watershed and the drainage model of existing flooding conditions is complete. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Sept. 23, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Alder Badri Lankella Hosts Lunch and Learn Featuring Director of Traffic Engineering : Community members are invited to join Alder Badri Lankella for a virtual Lunch and Learn session on Thursday, September 25, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. This session will feature guest speaker Dr. Yang Tao, the Director of Traffic Engineering for the… [posted September 19, 2025]

• In Memory of Retired Madison Police Horse Xander 1999 – 2025: Xander was a large Missouri Fox Trotter with a thick black coat that was perfect for warming your hands, petting and hugging.   However, his most defining characteristic was his personality; he was a smart, curious and energetic horse who… [posted September 18, 2025]

• Street Closures for Willy Street Fair: Williamson Street will close, between S Livingston Street and S Ingersoll Street, this weekend for the Willy Street Fair. S Paterson Street and S Brearly Street will also be closed between Williamson Street and the Capital City Trail. [posted September 17, 2025]

• Project Update - Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement: Starting Monday, September 22nd, the Capital City Trail Sewer Replacement Project will begin with a full closure of the bike path from S Blount Street to S Brearly Street. [posted September 17, 2025]

• Cheer Team, Community Celebrate Spirit’s Induction into MPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit: Spirit, a 6 -year-old Percheron Gelding, earned his badge this evening and became an official member of the Madison Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit. Under a warm blue sky, the ceremony took place near the fieldhouse at Vel Phillips Memorial… [posted September 16, 2025]

• Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Great Gatsby at Meadowridge Library this Fall : MADISON, WI – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published on April 10, 1925, and has since become a timeless classic of American fiction that has gone on to inspire several film, television, and theater adaptations, as well as other writers around the world. [posted September 15, 2025]

• Road Closure — Mid Town Road: Starting Wednesday, September 17th at 7:00am, Parisi Construction will close Mid Town Road, between the Marty Road/Mid Town Road intersection to the S Gammon/Mid Town Road intersection, to facilitate a City of Madison water main installation…  [posted September 15, 2025]

• 30,000 Pounds of Food Scraps Composted at Farmers’ Markets: Closing in on 2025 Food Scraps Recycling Goal: The City of Madison Streets Division is happy to announce that we have collected 30,177 pounds of food scraps for composing at our three farmers’ market drop-off sites. In 2025, our goal is to collect 40,000 pounds of food scraps for composting. That…  [posted September 15, 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

• Homebuyer Education Course Part 2 of 3, Tuesday, September 23: This HUD-Certified Homebuyer Education Course assists aspiring homeowners with making informed decisions and to potentially qualify for specialized loan programs. 

• Deaf President Now! Film Screening, Wednesday, September 24: Join us for a screening and discussion of Deaf President Now! A student-led protest at Gallaudet University led to the appointment of the university’s first Deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan, marking a turning point in the fight for Deaf rights.

• FREE Fall Fun - Aldo Leopold Park, Wednesday, September 24 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Leopold Arbor Hills NRT invites residents to build skills in mountain biking, ultimate and disc golf, and social dance! Instructors will provide lessons to people of all ages.  Come learn some skills and enjoy a light dinner afterwards.

• FOOT-Loose Dances, Wednesday, September 24 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Join FOOT (Friends of Olin Turville) every Wednesday in September for two hours of dancing fun, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, inside the historic Olin Park pavilion.

• Connecting D7: Learning Together with Alder Badri Lankella, Thursday, September 25: Community members are invited to a virtual Lunch and Learn session with Alder Badri Lankella on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The guest speaker will be Dr. Yang Tao, Director of Traffic Engineering for the City of Madison.

• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, September 27 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Every month, we offer chances for people to volunteer at The Glen Golf Park. You can help make the park look beautiful by working on the land, managing it, and restoring areas that need attention. 

• Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Sennett Middle School, Saturday, September 27: All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare or most other types of insurance, can receive vaccinations at no cost.

• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, September 27: 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. 

• Visit the Greater Madison MPO @ the Dane County Farmers' Market, Saturday, September 27: The Greater Madison MPO is partnering with local communities and organizations to promote Week Without Driving, a nationwide challenge happening Monday, September 29 through Sunday, October 5, 2025, that highlights the importance of accessible, multimodal transportation options.

• Week Without Driving Community Discussion — Madison, Sunday, September 28: The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC), in partnership with UW–Madison Transportation Services and AARP Wisconsin, are hosting a Community Discussion as part of the Week Without Driving.

• Lake Wingra Community Bike Ride, Sunday, September 28: Come explore Madison’s hidden gem by joining neighbors and friends for a community event around the 6.5-mile Lake Wingra Loop. Whether you bike, run, or walk, the loop offers an urban oasis filled with natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and neighborhood character. The route circles Lake Wingra, passing through the Vilas, Dudgeon-Monroe, Nakoma, Arboretum, and Greenbush neighborhoods.  

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