Public information meeting on University Ave redevelopment, University Ave night paving 5/28-30, Announcements & Events

Hello neighbors,

Reminder that there will be a public information meeting Monday, May 20, at 6pm to discuss the planned redevelopment at 3535-3553 University Avenue. This is a first neighborhood meeting to get feedback. Please register in advance.

The night paving work that was planned on University Avenue this week has been pushed back to May 28 through May 30. This work will result in construction noise during the overnight hours, and we appreciate the understanding and patience of those that may be affected by the increase in construction noise for these three nights.

Public Information Meetings

• Open House on Draft West Area Plan - Additional Public Meetings and Draft Plan Markups for Review/Comment, Monday May 20: Detailed draft West Area Plan markups informed by public feedback are now available for review and comment, and there will be additional public meetings. Drop in for an Open House on all plan topics, May 20 anytime between 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. at High Point Church, 7702 Old Sauk Road. No presentation will be given, rather it will be a time to view the detailed markups of draft actions and maps and talk with City staff and alders. There will also be two virtual meetings and two topic specific in-person meetings. All public meeting details are on the project webpage.

The detailed markups of draft actions and maps are also online for review and comment. City staff will compile, and review comments submitted before June 10th while completing the Final DRAFT Plan for committee and commission review. Comments submitted on or after June 10th will be compiled and provided to committees and commissions as part of their review process. A compilation of frequently asked questions, based off of questions and comments received online, via email, and in person, has also been prepared and posted to the webpage.

The best way to keep up to date on this planning process is to join the project email list, which will provide information about public engagement opportunities and periodic status updates.  Visit the project webpage to sign up for the email list, and to find links to past meetings, project materials, and other project information.

News Releases & Announcements

• Resources for Homebuyers and Property Owners: Are you a current homeowner or looking to own your first home? The City of Madison’s Community Development Division (CDD) is excited to share with you upcoming homeownership related events hosted by our community partners! When you go to www.cityofmadison.com/homeloans you will be able to find the homeownership event’s calendar and other CDD resources available to homeowners and homebuyers to achieve and maintain homeownership.
• City of Madison Breaks Ground on PFAS Treatment Facility at Municipal Well 15 : The Madison Water Utility has officially started construction on a PFAS treatment facility for one of its drinking water wells – Well 15 on Madison’s east side. Well 15 has been shut down since 2019 due to PFAS contamination.

You will be able to find events related to homebuyer education and homeowner maintenance. Other resources include down payment assistance for first time homebuyers, property tax assistance for seniors (65+), and information about major and minor rehabilitation programs.

If you have any questions, please contact the City of Madison at email: homeloans@cityofmadison.com or call 608-266-6520.

• The 2024 Spring Yard Waste Collection is Over, Curbside Pickup Returns in the Fall: At this time, Madison residents should not set out yard waste for curbside collection. The 2024 spring yard waste set-out dates for all neighborhoods have passed.
• WHEDA Tax Credits bring millions of dollars of support to Madison housing developments: Several housing developers in Madison received word on Thursday that they will receive millions of dollars in state and federal tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to help support the addition of hundreds of new affordable rental units in the city.
• Dane County Residents Log Over 4,000 Sustainable Trips, Making Huge Environmental Impact : Dane County residents who participated in the RoundTrip Spring Roll Challenge logged 4,280 car-free and car-light trips in April, avoiding over 7.1 tons of carbon dioxide emissions for Earth Month.
• Upcoming resources fair aims to guide a path to homeownership: The City of Madison is teaming up with multiple community stakeholders to help new homeowners or those looking to buy a home for the first time get the resources they need to navigate the process and get their questions answered from trusted sources.
• Food Scraps Recycling Drop-off Returns to South Madison Farmers’ Market on May 21, 2024: Food scraps recycling drop-off returns to the South Madison Farmers' Market starting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.Individuals may drop-off certain allowable food scraps to a designated drop-off booth for free.
• City of Madison TIF funds keep construction of hundreds of affordable units on track: Hundreds of affordable apartment units of all sizes on Madison’s north side are one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) funds from the City of Madison.
• The First Library Takeover Team at Madison Public Library Wants to Help Transform Your Food Journey: A team of four local women will take you from seed starting to meal prepping and beyond during a Full Circle Food Usage event scheduled for June 8 at Meadowridge Library.

Events

• Movie in the Park, Tuesday, May 21: See the movie, Shark Tale! We've partnered with Madison Boats at Marshall Park to bring you a free movie during Pontoon Palooza. You do not need to take the pontoon course to see the movie but if you bring your kids, they are welcome to watch the movie while you take the course!
• Financial Empowerment Series (#1-4). This event occurs on multiple dates. Next event: Tuesday, May 21: Financial Basics: Budgeting, debt reduction, credit repair and homebuying basics 
  Financial Empowerment Series to be held in 4 parts occuring on May 7, 14, 21, and 28. For questions regarding this program contact Kielley at klemkuil@ulgm.org.
• Financial Wellness Workshop #3, Tuesday, May 21: This session is all about savings and strategies to save more of your money than you spend. We will cover topics such as how to prioritize savings, savings goals, and ways to cut expenses to increase your savings rate.
• Music in the Park in May, Wednesday, May 22: Free concert series at the Olin Park pavilion sponsored by FOOT - Friends of Olin-Turville and Madison Parks. Wednesdays in May from 6 to 8pm. Doors open at 5:45pm.
• Party at the Park, Friday, May 24: Start your Memorial Day weekend off with us! Join us for music (DJ Daddy D), food and fun! There will be food carts there or you can bring a picnic. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and join family, friends and neighbors as we party at the park! Call NewBridge at 608-512-0000 ext 3002 for more information. This event is for older adults and their families.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, May 25: 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. Walk will begin at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Meet outside at the Children's Shack. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Badgerland Bird Alliance, and Aldo Leopold Nature Center . No registration is required. No pets are allowed.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver