Week of March 16 Updates - Master Hall
postedHappy almost spring everyone! Please stay warm and dry.
District Updates
Capital Fitness East Demolition
As some of you may know, the building that currently houses Capital Fitness was under consideration for reconstruction. The demolition was recently finally approved by city staff, and should be going forward in the next few months. The new building will contain updated space for Capital Fitness, but while it's under construction people will need to use the Capital Fitness West location.
Master Hall Demolition (411-433 W Gilman) Land Use
Tomorrow, Monday, March 16, Plan Commission will hear about the demolition and rezoning of 411-433 W Gilman (see Legistar 91233), which includes the current site of Master Hall. There is also a landmarks application that has been submitted by John Rollings (see the application here). I have met with John and told him that I support the demolition of the building, and I do not support landmarking the building. I'm writing a longer blog post to explain why, which will also talk about why I think we need to change our local preservation ordinances.
Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of March 16, 2026
Updates and Notices
Winter Parking Rules: Alternate side parking is in effect until March 15, 2026.
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.
Common Council
Discussion: The Common Council discussion will take place on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 201 of the City-County Building. This discussion will cover City of Madison sustainability initiatives.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, March 16, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include the extension of Tax Increment District 41 for 12 months.
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, March 16, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 1, 2, 15, and 19.
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)
- Sherman Ave, N. Sherman Ave, and McGuire Street Reconstruction, Monday, March 16: The City is planning reconstruction of Sherman Ave from McGuire St to N. Sherman Ave/Fordem Ave, N. Sherman Ave/Fordem Ave from Northfield Pl to Erie Ct, and McGuire St from Sherman Ave to Fordem Ave in 2026. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., March 16, 2026, via Zoom. Registration is required.
- Public Input Meeting - Newbery Park, Tuesday, March 17: The City of Madison Parks Division is improving the playground at Newbery Park and we want your input. At this meeting City staff will present revised playground equipment options from input gathered at the playground workshop.
Announcements and News Releases
- Building a Greener Madison: Common Council Holds Discussion on the City's Sustainability Plan: The Madison Common Council will hold a discussion on City sustainability initiatives on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Room 201 of the City-County Building. [posted March 13, 2026]
- Street Closures for St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Multiple streets around the Capitol Square will be closed on Sunday, March 15th for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Plan for extra time when traveling in the area. Beginning at 11:00am, the Capitol square and surrounding streets will close… [posted March 12, 2026]
- DATE CHANGE: Eastbound University Avenue Temporarily Reduced to One Lane: Update: Due to forecast inclement weather conditions on Sunday, March 15, this work will be delayed until the following weekend, Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22. [posted March 12, 2026]
- New Central Drop-off Site at 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway Opens on April 11, 2026: The new centrally located drop-off site for the Streets Division will open on April 11, 2026.The address of the new location is 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway. [posted March 11, 2026]
- Absentee Ballots Are in the Mail: The City of Madison Clerk's Office has begun mailing absentee ballots for the April 7, 2026, election. [posted March 10, 2026]
- Rachel Darken Named Fleet Service Superintendent: Mayor Rhodes-Conway has appointed Rachel Darken as the City of Madison’s new Fleet Service Superintendent within the Public Works Department. [posted March 10, 2026]
- Eastbound University Avenue Temporarily Reduced to One Lane on Friday, March 13: Starting at 9:00 am on Friday, March 13th, Interstate Demolition will reduce a section of eastbound University Avenue to one lane, east of Midvale Boulevard, to complete the first phase of utility work for the private development project at 3535…[posted March 10, 2026]
- Charlie Romines Named Public Works Director: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway is pleased to announce the appointment of Charlie Romines to the position of Public Works Director. [posted March 10, 2026]
- 2026 Brush Collection Schedule is Now Available: The 2026 set-out date schedule for the Streets Division's brush schedule pickup is now available on the brush collection website. Learn the Set-Out Dates for Your Neighborhood.... [posted March 10, 2026]
- CARES Teams Acquire Long-Awaited Response Vehicles to Better Support People in Crisis: CARES will now respond to non-violent behavioral health emergencies in specialized Ford Transit vans outfitted to allow personalized care. [posted March 10, 2026]
- Spring Yard Waste Collection Set-Out Date Schedule for 2026 Now Available: The 2026 set-out date schedule for the Streets Division's springtime yard waste collection is now available on the yard waste website. When do I put out yard waste for pickup? Go to our yard waste website. Enter your address into the form. [posted March 2, 2026]
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
- Olbrich Gardens Public Workshop, Tuesday, March 17-In-Person (This event occurs on multiple dates): Olbrich Botanical Gardens is undergoing its first comprehensive master planning process in more than 20 years and is seeking public input during a series of meetings, the 2nd is on Tuesday, March 18, 2026. The widely regarded landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand was chosen through a competitive selection process to lead the design team and the project as a whole.
- MSCR & Madison Parks Hiring Fair, Wednesday, March 18: Madison Parks and MSCR are hiring seasonal staff in aquatics, maintenance, conservation and more! Attend a Hiring Fair at Parks Lakeside Offices and apply and interview onsite! Make this a summer to remember!
- Learn & Ride: Junction Road Park & Ride, Thursday, March 19: Join Metro Transit staff to learn how to ride the bus, navigate routes and stops, and feel confident getting where you need to go with Metro!
- Olbrich Gardens Public Workshop, Thursday, March 19 (Virtual): Olbrich Botanical Gardens is undergoing its first comprehensive master planning process in more than 20 years and is seeking public input during a series of meetings, the 2nd is on Tuesday, March 18, 2026. The widely regarded landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand was chosen through a competitive selection process to lead the design team and the project as a whole.
- Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, March 21: Equinox Walk ~ Join Noah Edelstein with Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free fun educational family friendly walk along easy paths to the beautiful Starkweather Creek greenway.
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
