Groundbreaking for first new library in 25 years; Water main flushing; Brush collection on N. Franklin; Announcements & Events

Hello neighbors,

This week was a momentous one: the groundbreaking for the first new library in Madison in 25 years! I was thrilled to be able to help with the ceremonial shovel dig, alongside many of my Alder colleagues and Mayor Rhodes-Conway. A special shout out to Alder Sabrina Madison, who has been an incredible champion for this project since its inception. And many thanks to all of the donors who have contributed to help make this project possible.

From left to right: Alder O’Brien, Alder Vidaver, Alder Figueroa-Cole, Alder Madison, Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Alder Matthews, Alder Guequierre, Alder Evers

Brush collection will occur on the regularly scheduled dates. Crews will be through to collect brush as needed, in consultation with the construction crews.

Updates and Notices

Farmers' Markets: Find the locations and schedules for farmers' markets near you!

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.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing the submission of an application for a $150,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to fund a portion of the City's cost of site assessment and demolition at 1810 S Park St, 1901 S Park St, 814 North Ave, and 826 North Ave.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 13.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Police and Fire Commission: The Police and Fire Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a discussion of the Police Chief hiring process.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online

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

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Metro Transit North/South BRT Public Information Meeting (In-Person)Tuesday, May 13: Come learn more about a proposed second Bus Rapid Transit route proposed to run north to south through the community. South Park St. will also be reconstructed in conjunction with North-South BRT.
• Stricker Forebay Dredge (Virtual), Tuesday, May 13: A public information meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., May 13, 2025, via Zoom. Registration is required.
• Metro Transit North/South BRT Public Information Meeting (In-Person), Thursday, May 15: Come learn more about a proposed second Bus Rapid Transit route proposed to run north to south through the community.

Announcements and News Releases

• Section of North Randall Avenue Closes Monday, May 12: Starting Monday, May 12, North Randall Avenue will be fully closed to traffic, between Campus Drive and West Dayton Street, for a UW chilled water underground utility replacement project.
• Westbound Campus Drive Off-Ramp Closure at Highland Avenue: Starting Monday, May 12, the westbound Campus Drive off-ramp to Highland Avenue will close as part of the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD’s) sewer pipe replacement project.
• South Bedford Street Closure at North Shore Drive: As part of the North Shore Drive Path project, S Bedford Street will be closing at North Shore Drive starting Monday, May 12th to construct the raised crossing for the path across S Bedford Street.
• Help Shape the Future of Biking, Walking and Rolling in Dane County: The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is inviting Dane County residents to complete a short survey that will help guide the region’s active transportation future.
• New “Colorful Characters” Mural Honors Legacies of South Madison Leaders: The City of Madison is pleased to announce the completion and installation of a new public art piece by renowned artist Michael Ford at the Village on Park.
• Madison Public Libraries Closed for Staff In-Service Day on May 15; Other Upcoming Hours Changes: There are multiple closures and hours changes taking place during the month of May at Madison Public Library.

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

• Garlic Mustard Pull - Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, Mendota Unit, Tuesday, May 13: Help protect native wildflowers and restore woodland health by volunteering for a garlic mustard pull.  This hands-on conservation effort focuses on removing garlic mustard, an aggressive invasive plant. Volunteers will work off-trail alongside expert volunteers from Friends of Cherokee Marsh, contributing to meaningful habitat restoration.
• FOOT - Free Concerts in Olin Pavilion, Wednesday, May 14 (this event occurs on multiple dates): FREE concerts return to the Olin Park pavilion on Wednesdays in May from 6 to 8 PM. Ramblin' Kind - a western swing band on Wednesday, May 14.
• Conservation Park Tour, Wednesday, May 14: Conservation Park Tours are educational staff-guided walks held at various conservation parks on the 2nd Wednesday, May - October. Topics vary and include highlights of the past, present and future of the land.
• Hoyt Park guided nature walk, May 15, 6:30-7:30 (and every third Thursday through September). Meet by the kiosk in the main parking lot.
• Madison Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 16: Bike to Work Day celebrates riding to work, to the grocery store, to a park, to the library—or biking just to have fun. Biking to work is a fun, inexpensive, sustainable mode of transportation; and you get your exercise in!
• Walk for Dyslexia, Saturday, May 17: Families and community members can gather in beautiful spring weather to make strides against dyslexia or participate with a virtual option.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, May 17: Explore the Creek. Join Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free fun family friendly canoe outing along Starkweather Creek!  Some canoes will be provided, bring your own canoe or kayak and vest and paddles if you have them.
• Community Science: Monarch Monitor Training, Saturday, May 17: Join us for a two-hour training session on Saturday, May 17 from 10am to 12pm to become a community science monitor for the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project!
• Hoyt Park Spring Birding Walk, May 17th, 8-10AM. Join Megan Heneke and the Friends of Hoyt Park for a guided birding walk. We will explore throughout the park to look for birds, especially spring migrants just returning back to the area. Please sign up in advance – the walk will be capped at 20 people.
• Friends of Hoyt Park workday, May 17, 10am-noon. Please dress for the weather and for battling invasives. Meet in the main parking lot.
• Picnic in the Park, Saturday, May 17: Celebrate for a cause with the Madison Parks Foundation. This highly anticipated event helps sustain and enhance our local parks and green spaces by improving accessibility.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, May 18: Nature Journalling. Join Naturalist Steve Mansorge for a free guided walk to enjoy the natural areas at Warner Park. Bring pen and paper. Pretend you are an explorer making a journal about what you see to send back home! We will take time to stop along the way to contemplate things.  Write down a few notes about what you see, how you feel, and the beauty around you.
• Movie at The Glen | Raiders of the Lost Ark, Sunday, May 18: Join us for a fun-filled evening at The Glen Golf Park featuring Raiders of the Lost Ark. The excitement kicks off at 4:00pm with yard games and free 3-hole golf for kids—perfect for some pre-movie fun. Then settle in as the movie begins at 5:00pm. It’s a night of adventure, games, and great food the whole family will enjoy!

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

Take care,

Regina Vidaver