Metro Redesign, Landmarks Ordinance Revision, Campground Success, Frozen Assets, Announcements, Staff Shout-outs

Hello neighbors,

A few meetings of interest coming up:

• Monday, January 31, 5pm: The Transportation Policy & Planning Board will be reviewing the draft recommendations for the updated Metro transit plan. This plan will affect all bus routes for the city.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
• Thursday, February 3, 6:30pm: Landmarks Ordinance Revision Public Meeting – Note the proposed updates will affect the University Heights historic district.
• February 9, 4:30pm: Urban Design Commission – review of the proposal for the mixed-use redevelopment at the Smoky’s site on University Ave.
• February 21, 5:30pm: Plan Commission - review of the proposal for the mixed-use redevelopment at the Smoky’s site on University Ave.

The campground at Dairy Drive for unhoused individuals has been remarkably successful in a short time. People are finding stability, and even moving on to permanent housing – which were the intended outcomes.

The Frozen Assets Festival is this week! There are great events all week long, culminating next weekend, which will include the Frozen Assets 5K, pond hockey games, educational events, kits on ice and more.

Announcements:

• The City of Madison Food Policy Council announces the 2022 SEED Grants cycle to address food access issues in our community. SEED Grants are small grants designed to support new and recently emerging projects or programs that support access to healthy food in our community.
• The City of Madison Traffic Engineering Division is seeking qualified candidates to work part-time as a School Crossing Guard for the remainder of the school year. The position is an integral part of safe walking and biking to school.
• 2022 is off to a frigid start. It is important for home and business owners to protect their water pipes from freezing or bursting during our coldest time of year.
• That frigid weather leads to winter fun in our parks – check out ice skating, curling, and, yes, movies! The labyrinth, How Lovely Are Thy Branches, has opened at Olbrich Park.

Staff Shout-outs:

• Huge thanks to Parks Conservation Resources Supervisor Paul Quinlan for leading an intrepid group of neighbors through a fascinating overview of conservation practices in Hoyt Park on Sunday afternoon. Want to get involved? Please join the Friends of Hoyt Park!
• Our snow plow drivers are amazing. And once in a while, they have some fun! Thanks to all of our drivers for keeping our streets plowed and sanded, and salted as appropriate.

Take care,

Regina Vidaver