Congrats to Eve Galanter; New businesses at Regent and Allen; Construction now and upcoming; Announcements & Events

Hello neighbors,

Each of us stands on the shoulders of those who have come before us. As Alder, I have many shoulders to stand upon, including Eve Galanter, who represented our neighborhood on the Common Council from 1981 to 1989. This past week I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Wisconsin Women in Government annual scholarship and recognition gala, where Eve was awarded the 2025 Legacy Award for her outstanding public and community service contributions in Wisconsin over the past four decades.

Personally, Eve has been an incredible sounding board for me, providing her time and guidance, particularly when I was new to the role. If you see Eve around, please give her a hearty congratulations for this well-earned award!

If you haven’t yet heard, we have multiple new businesses at the Regent and Allen intersection, including an independent book store, coffee house and wine bar, Korean café (open for lunch and late afternoon, weekdays), and a realty company. Check them out!

Please be aware that water main flushing is scheduled to occur this week between University Ave. and Regent St. east of Franklin Ave. Also keep in mind that the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District project will close the off-ramp from Campus Drive to Highland beginning May 12 through the end of June, and there will be a one-day closure of the on-ramp from Highland to University on May 17, and then that will close again beginning in June through September. When the on-ramp is closed, the C bus will detour to University/Grand/Stevens/Farley, and the E bus will detour to Regent/Farley. The E bus has already detoured from Franklin/Kendall to Ridge for the Franklin Ave reconstruction project.

Farmers' Markets: Find the locations and schedules for farmers' markets near you! When you go, consider participating in Healthy Food For All’s Buy One for a Neighbor campaign – as you purchase something, consider getting two and giving one to our food pantries, who are in dire need after federal funding cuts.

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: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include assisting the development of the former Voit farm property, as well as adding disorderly conduct directed at a city transit officer to Madison General Ordinances.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving plans and specifications for public improvements required to serve Phase 1 of the Subdivision known as Starkweather Plat.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

• West High School is seeking gently used blue caps and gowns. If they are gathering dust in your home, please bring them to the Welcome Center on Ash Street during school hours.
• N Shore Drive Path & E Madison Bikeways Projects: The first projects for the East Madison Bikeways and North Shore Drive Path will start on Monday, May 5th. Projects will include pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, as well as improved pavement markings.
• WE READ Summer Reading Program Begins May 1 at Madison Public Library: Pick up the new WE READ Map, get your WE READ bag, and connect to books, literacy tips, prizes and more this summer at your local library.
• Dane County Residents Make Big Impact Choosing Sustainable Transportation this April: Hundreds of Dane County residents participated in the RoundTrip Spring Roll Challenge this April, avoiding more than 15 tons of carbon emissions by swapping solo car trips for sustainable travel options.
• Food Scraps Recycling Drop-off Returns to Westside Community Market on May 3, 2025: Free food scraps recycling drop-off returns to the Westside Community Market beginning Saturday, May 3, 2025. At the market drop-off site, you can bring us your spent coffee grounds, eggshells, and appropriate vegetable and fruit scraps.
• What You Need to Know About Low Mow May 2025: The Building Inspection Division is again letting residents know that it will be suspending the enforcement of the City of Madison’s grass length ordinance during May as part of “Low Mow May” to help support the local pollinator population.
• MPD captain honored among Wisconsin’s 25 Most Influential Native American Leaders: Madison Police Captain Diana Nachtigal has been honored as one of Wisconsin's most influential Native American Leaders for 2025.
• City of Madison Celebrates New Affordable Homes : After developing 22 other homes in the Mosaic Ridge subdivision, the City partnered with Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development and Madison Area Community Land Trust to build two additional land trust homes.
• MPD releases 2024 Annual Report: It is a long-standing tradition for the Madison Police Department to share its annual report with the community. In 2024, the MPD remained committed to our mission statement, “We, the members of the Madison Police Department, are committed to providing high-quality police services that are accessible to all members of the community. We believe in the dignity of all people and respect individual and constitutional rights in fulfilling this mission.”
• How to Get Involved in Madison’s Next Economic Development Plan: The City of Madison’s Economic Development Division is working on an update to the Economic Development Plan and wants to hear from you as it works to refresh the nearly decade-old outline for economic growth.

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

• FOOT - Free Concerts in Olin Pavilion, Wednesday, May 7 (This event occurs on multiple dates):  FREE concerts return to the Olin Park pavilion on Wednesdays in May from 6 to 8 PM. Slipjig with Daithi Wolfe - Irish 'trad' music on Wednesday, May 7.
• Madison’s Night Market returns, Thursday May 8. Find your way to State Street from 5-9pm for a wide assortment of vendors and food carts, family-friendly activities, and music! Note that it’s Nurses Week, and many vendors are offering specials for these essential health care professionals.
• Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, May 9: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo!
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, May 10: Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison.
• UW Commencement, May 9-10: Please be aware a short burst of fireworks will occur during commencement around 1:30pm at Camp Randall on May 10.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, May 11: Month of Maying.  Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it, let’s do it, let’s fall in love!  Join Naturalist Kathlean Wolf for a free fun family friendly outing to enjoy Spring birds, bugs, flowers, and the burst of life occurring around you.
• Save the Date for Gallery Night on May 16: Gallery Night offers art lovers and art novices alike an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of exhibitions, opening receptions, special events, and demonstrations at venues throughout the city from 5-9pm. During Gallery Night, dozens of venues open their doors to invite the public in to see and shop for original artwork.

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.

Take care,

Regina Vidaver