Sustainability Survey, BRT Updates, Road and Path Closures, Meetings, Events, and Announcements

Hello neighbors,

The City of Madison is looking for your vision for a green, climate-friendly, and resilient Madison. Where do you see opportunities for improvement? What are your top priorities? The City of Madison wants to hear your thoughts on the draft Sustainability Plan’s eight themes and supporting goals. This plan will help the City advance sustainability through its policies, programs, and projects. By taking this quick survey, you are helping ensure the draft themes and goals are in line with the community’s vision for a sustainable City of Madison. Ten lucky winners will receive a $20 gift card to The Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream! Let’s work together to create a sustainable City for both existing and future Madisonians! Take the survey today!

Bus Rapid Transit Progress

Check out what’s happening with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)! Learn more about Metro’s proposed second BRT line to run from the north side of Madison through the downtown area, to Madison’s Southside neighborhoods and ending in Fitchburg.

North/South BRT Planning Meetings:

• South Side Wednesday, November 1, 5:30–7:30pm, Urban League (2222 S. Park Street)
• North Side Thursday, November 2, 5:30–7:30pm Warner Park Community Center (1625 Northport Dr.)
• Fitchburg Thursday, November 9, 5:30–7:30pm Fitchburg Council Chambers (City Hall, 5520 Lacy Rd.)
• Virtual meeting Wednesday, November 8, 6:30–7:30pm Register and receive meeting link at madisonbrt.com

Upcoming Street and Path Closures

• W Dayton St between N Lake St and Bernard Ct – Westbound traffic closed through November.
• Farley Ave & University Ave – October 20-23
• Path Closure--Capital City Trail along John Nolen Drive Causeway: The Capital City Trail will be closed along the John Nolen Drive causeway for two consecutive weeks for bridge repairs 7am October 16-5pm October 20 and 7am October 23-5pm October 27. The path will reopen for weekends.

Madison Public Market

The Common Council passed the final stop-gap funding for the Madison Public Market on Tuesday evening. The motion that passed was the lower funding amount, which did not include the revamping of certain windows and doors, or furnishings and fixtures that will be required for the Market to ultimately operate. The City looks forward to the County Board’s consideration Thursday October 19 of contributing an additional $1M towards the market, to help towards the furnishings and fixtures costs.

Public Information Meetings

• October 23, 5:30-7:00pm: Madison Police Department- Public Records Presentation and Discussion - Madison Public Library, Goodman South Madison, 2222 S Park Street. This meeting will include a presentation on law enforcement public records and the laws that govern their release. Additional presentation on what to expect when you make a public records request from the Madison Police Department.

• October 25, 6:30pm: Public Information Meeting on the Near West Watershed Study.
• October 30: 6:30pm: Public Information Meeting on plans to make Midvale Blvd safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Events

• Meditation at Monona Terrace, Thursdays, through December 14 - 12:00pm: Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Anyone can practice; it is simple, inexpensive and does not require any special equipment. Join virtually every Thursday, September 7 - December 14, for this free 45-minute program welcome to all levels. Advance registration for Zoom webinar is required.
• Madison Night Market, Thursday, October 19: Madison Night Market is a celebration of Madison's unique and inspiring creative culture. Vendors showcase handmade products, local art, artisan gifts, prepackaged foods and fresh produce. The event includes live music, artists, special visiting food carts and pop-up restaurant experiences. The Market is presented by Madison's Central Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the City of Madison. Partnerships with area arts and cultural organizations ensure this event is a city-wide representation of this community’s talent. The Office of the Common Council and members of the Common Council will have a resource table to speak with constituents and enhance general awareness about the City of Madison Common Council and ways to get involved with local government!
• Wisconsin Science Festival on the Square, Thursday, October 19: Join this fantastic night that blends science with downtown Madison businesses. Back for its fifth year, the ever popular Science on the Square event is a unique way to explore hands-on science activities while also supporting local businesses and vendors. Learn more about the science that surrounds us every day. Science on the Square is produced by the Wisconsin Science Festival and the Madison Central Business Improvement District.
• Moon Over Monona Terrace, Friday, October 20: Young and old alike are invited to the Rooftop Gardens to view the Moon and other celestial objects, such as Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn, through a multitude of different telescopes provided by the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS). Activities include short kid-friendly presentations about the moon and other celestial phenomena, plus a kids’ fun zone with educational games and prizes! FREE ticket required for admission. Tickets are required for all attendees; subject to venue capacity and are issued on a first come first serve basis. There is a limit of 8 tickets per patron.
• Volunteer Day at The Glen, Saturday, October 21: The Glen Golf Park is establishing an ongoing volunteer program that helps volunteers learn, grow personally and gain professional experience.
• HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education, Saturday, October 21: Take the first step to owning a home, and join this Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE HUD-Approved homebuyer education workshop takes place in person and lunch is provided. For more details and to register, follow link.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, October 21: Join Master Naturalist Joanne Riecke to look for and learn about some basic design patterns you see in nature and explore the area for examples. Take pictures or bring paper and a pencil to make drawings to share with others.
• Volunteer Workday | Edna Taylor Conservation Park, Saturday, October 21: Join the Friends of Edna Taylor Conservation Park to help clean up this conservation park. Trash bags and gloves are provided at the Femrite Rd. parking lot.
• Hayrides & Hikes, Saturday, October 21: Tour Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit aboard a tractor-pulled hay wagon, enjoy nature activities, take a short guided hike, or do all! Plus, enjoy free hot cider, a campfire, and marshmallows to roast on the fire. Hayrides are $3/person (Free for children 2 and under). Volunteers from the Friends of Cherokee Marsh lead free, short nature hikes. No reservations are needed. Visit any time from 1 pm to 3:30 pm.
• October 19-22: Wisconsin Book Festival, Madison Public Library. 
• October 21, 10am: Friends of Hoyt Park workday. Help plant native shrubs.
• October 21, 10am-12pm: Art with Annie at Monroe Street Library.
• There are a plethora of events part of Madison Children’s Museum Countdown to Halloween!
• Off the Clock: Rise Up and Vote, October 24, 6-8pm, Buffalo Wild Wings, 789 University Ave.
• Downtown Family Halloween October 25, 3-6pm. Come trick or treat at downtown businesses, and enjoy fun Halloween activities!
• October 28, 10am-2pm, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Bring your unused prescriptions to:
  • Elver Park - 1250 Mckenna Blvd Madison, WI 53719
  • Warner Park - 2930 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704
  • Second Baptist Church - 4303 Britta Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711
• Public screening of “The Street Project”, an inspiring story about the global, citizen-led fight to make our streets safe, sponsored by Madison Bikes. October 30th, UW-Madison, Union South. Schedule: 5:00pm: Meet and Greet @ The Sett Pub; 6:00pm: Film Screening @ The Marquee Cinema; 7:00pm: Panel Discussion @ The Marquee Cinema
  • Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4T08isXE5
  • RSVP: https://forms.gle/RmEoXs7d2G15d8Jt6
• November 1, 5-6:30pm, 2241 Fox Ave.: Learn about the MORE for Madison affordable housing development planned for the St. Johns Lutheran Church site at a local info session hosted by Bob and Bonnie Block, Dawn McClusky, and Darrin Harris.

Announcements

• Nominations for the Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award sought. Deadline: October 30.

• Mayor’s Statement on Release of “Race to Equity 10-Year Report: Dane County”

• Tips needed as MPD continues investigation into shooting that killed teen, injured 3 others: The Madison Police Department is searching for five people directly involved in the deadly shooting at Harmony at Grandview Commons.

• New Artist-in-Residence at Central Library Brings Well Wishes and a Wishing Well to the Bubbler Room: The Bubbler at Madison Public Library is welcoming a new Artist-in-Residence at Central Library for the fall.
• Fall is Here: Mulch Leaves, Compost, Connect on Collection Times: The City of Madison is excited to kick off the fall season with reminders of all things leaves that every City of Madison resident needs to know, starting with mulching the leaves in lawns.
• Madison Public Library's Teejop & Beyond: Celebrating Native Nations Program Returns for 2023: Teejop & Beyond: Celebrating Native Nations, a program created by Madison Public Library in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, returns.
• Get Your Fall Vaccines Ahead of Respiratory Virus Season: Public Health Madison & Dane County is encouraging everyone to get up to date on flu, RSV, and COVID vaccines ahead of respiratory season.
• The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to develop a new National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) facility on the grounds of the present NWHC on Schroeder Road. Due to the potential impact on the environment, USGS is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process allows for public input during public scoping and after the publication of the Draft EIS. During the 45-day scoping period, agencies, organizations, and the public may provide input on potentially affected resources and environmental considerations. Comments are requested by Friday, October 20 to ensure full consideration in the Draft EIS. Submit directly through the website using the Comment Form, or via email. Disclosure: I am the spouse of a senior leader at the NWHC.
• Check out the most recent newsletter from Public Health Madison Dane County’s Violence Prevention Coalition.
• The Wisconsin Well Woman Program offers free breast cancer screenings for un- and under-insured individuals. Spread the word!

Be well,

Regina Vidaver