Put your trash out tonight or early tomorrow, University Ave and signage updates, Passenger rail station planning, Shop and give local

Hello neighbors,

I sincerely hope this note finds you well, and living this season with gratitude.

Please note the following changes to City schedules due to the holiday week:

Refuse collection:

• If your trash and recycling are normally collected on Wednesdays and Thursdays by the Streets Division, you should have your carts to the curb by 6:30am on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.
• Check your collection schedule calendar to determine if you should have your recycling cart to the curb along with your trash cart.
• City drop-off sites will be closed on November 24 and November 25, 2022.
• Drop-off Site Hours for Saturday, November 26, 2022:
  • All three drop-off site locations will be open from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
  • The sites are located at 121 E. Olin Avenue, 4602 Sycamore Avenue, and 402 South Point Road.
• Drop-off Site Hours for Sunday, November 27, 2022:
  • The only drop-off site open on this date will be the location at 121 E. Olin Avenue. This will be the final day for the Olin Avenue drop-off site this year.
• The drop-off sites at 4602 Sycamore Avenue and 402 South Point Road will be closed on Sunday, November 27. They will reopen on Monday, November 28 at 7:30am.
• More details about the restrictions, materials accepted, and other information can be found at the drop-off site webpage.

Madison Metro: 

• Madison Metro will be running a reduced service on November 24-25. Please check the news release for affected routes and times.

Non-holiday-related announcements:

University Avenue Reconstruction:

• The work on University Avenue was scheduled to conclude for the winter this week, but some work will continue into next week. In addition, MG&E will be moving their gas regulator near the Qdoba restaurant. This will occur on December 7, and involve a crane. This work may start very early in the morning – like, 4am early – but will only last one day.

Street Signage:

• Many people have been wondering when we’re getting the signage placed that will restrict parking for street plowing and sweeping. It’s still coming, but has been further delayed by the need to ensure appropriate signage as the former Town of Madison has come into City limits. Traffic Engineering is projecting getting those signs placed next spring to summer. Please be patient!

Passenger Rail Station Planning:

This is an exciting time for Madison that brings more opportunities to offer and grow transportation options to the community. Please join a public meeting on December 7 to discuss a potential site for a future Amtrak Station in Madison. Two options will be available:

• In person: 4:30pm, room 215, Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
• Virtual: 6:30pm. Please register in advance.

Events:

• Downtown Madison Holiday Open House, November 25-27. Come out for live music, the shopping trolley and holiday sales!
• The Madison Black Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Google and its Grow with Google Program to offer digital upskilling workshops. Workshops will be held Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30 on November 29, December 6, and December 13. Please register in advance.
• Check out all of the amazing events coming up at the Madison Children’s Museum, including Adult Swim!
• WWBIC is hosting a seminar on understanding how cash flows in and out of your business, how to complete a cashflow statement, and how to review cashflow and projections on December 7 from 12-1pm at WWBIC, 2300 S Park St, Ste 113.
• The Wingra Proper Watershed Project will be holding a public information meeting on December 8 from 6-8pm. Please register in advance for this virtual meeting.
• Greater Madison Music City (GMMC) will host a happy hour and meetup at Café Coda on Thursday, December 8 from 4:30-6:30pm.
• Free Homebuyer Education Class: Saturday, December 10th, 8am-3pm, Villager Mall on Park Street, Atrium Entrance (2300 Park Street).

Announcements

• Madison College Survey: Madison College is looking to better understand how to best reach prospective students, adults aged 25-40. Please click on this link to access the survey. All those who participate in a focus group will receive $50 for their time.
• The application for a BYFY (By Youth For Youth) grant is open! By Youth For Youth is a unique program where Dane County high school students allocate City and County grants for youth serving programs and projects. Youth applicants, schools, and youth-serving organizations in Dane County can apply for up to $3,000 for youth-led initiatives and the application is due December 23, 2022.   
• Please remember all of our local businesses as you shop this holiday season. Whether it’s a wine club from The Heights, lotion or soaps from Restoration Soap & Body Care, pottery from Higher Fire or Fine Earth, yarns for your favorite knitter from Sunset Yarn, or foods for your freezer from Pasture and Plenty, when your gift dollars stay local, you are contributing to the health and prosperity of our whole community. There are also many restaurants in our district that offer gift cards for future dining.
• Please also remember Giving Tuesday on November 29. There are numerous charities in Madison that are doing amazing work and deserve your support. Whether it’s nutrition security, services for people without housing, youth services, or the arts, there is a place for you to give – and give as a gift in honor of someone you care about.  

Take care,

Regina Vidaver