Water main flushing this week; Construction updates; Madison restaurant week; Metro PIM and more

Hello neighbors,

Water flushing will occur this week between University Ave. and Regent St. east of Franklin Ave.

Meeting materials from the S. Franklin Ave., Ridge Road, and Sylvan Ave. reconstruction initial public information meeting have now been posted:

• July 20, 2026 Public Information Meeting Recording
• July 20, 2026 Public Information Meeting Presentation

I have been made aware that paving work on Midvale Blvd. has been beginning before 7am. I have communicated with relevant city departments to ensure the contractors know not to begin construction work before the allowed time. The housing development on University and Meadow is in compliance with construction work times, so please do not confuse the work from these different projects. 

Construction will begin on the Virginia Terrace, Norwood Place, Rugby Row, and Hillington Way project the week of August 3. Please be aware of neighborhood impacts.

Updates and Notices

• August Moving Days Fast Approaching: If you or someone you know is taking part in the annual August moving days on the isthmus, make sure they are aware of the rules, opportunities, and responsibilities during that time. We have a  round-up of August moving days information on our website.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Transportation Commission Meeting (Virtual), Wednesday, July 29: On Wednesday, July 29, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. to review and discuss proposed new and updated service standards, processes for making service changes, and processes and standards related to placements of bus stops, shelter, benches, and other amenities.
• Milwaukee Street Reconstruction, Thursday, July 30: The City is planning to reconstruct Milwaukee Street (Starweather Creek to W Corporate Drive). A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., July 30, 2026, via Zoom. Registration prior is required. 
• Public Information Meeting - Warner Park, Thursday, July 30: As part of the Warner Park Southeast Recreation Area Development Plan, we identified the need to reconfigure the athletic fields located in the southeast corner of Warner Park. 

Announcements and News Releases

• Williamson Street Closure Remains in Place Until Further Notice: To ensure community safety, the closure of Williamson Street and South Baldwin Street will remain in place due to the ongoing public gathering within the intersection.
• Sanitary Sewer Work to Begin on Section of W Johnson Street: Starting on Tuesday, July 28, and continuing until approximately Friday, August 21, RG Huston will be conducting sanitary sewer installation for the private development project at 306 N Brooks St. 
• Announcing Mooveapalooza!: A Donation & Mattress Recycling Event: The City of Madison Streets Division and the Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables is happy to announce the first ever Mooveapalooza! This is a one-day event at Alliant Energy Center where anyone can donate usable items.
• Community Invited to Celebrate Outgoing Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence: The Madison Arts Commission and the Bubbler at Madison Public Library are inviting the community to an event marking the end of Jennifer Bastian's term as the artist-in-residence at Thurber Park.
• Street Closure for All City Swim Meet 2026: Starting at 8:00am on July 25, N Yellowstone Drive will be closed between Inner Drive and Shenandoah Way for the annual All City Swim Meet event. The event will go through the week with the street reopening by 5:00pm on August 2.
• New Men's Shelter Scheduled to Open September 1: The new shelter not only brings improved physical space, but its opening will also fundamentally alter how the shelter functions.
• Opening Date Set for Imagination Center at Reindahl Park: Save the date for the opening of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park hosted by Madison Public Library, City of Madison Engineering, Madison Parks and Madison Public Library Foundation.
• Secure Drop Boxes Are Now Open: Madison's secure ballot drop boxes are now open for the August 11, 2026, election.
• Applications Being Accepted to Fill Alder District 1 Vacancy: District 1 residents are invited to apply to fill this vacancy for the remainder of the current alder term.
• Save the Date: Experience the first combined garage sale on Madison's near west side - Westmorland, Dudgeon-Monroe, Sunset Village and VanChaMasShe - for our “ R Sale" which stands for Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Redistribute, Recycle happening August 7-8. Signs will be posted. A digital map of addresses will be posted the week prior to the sale.

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

• Madison Restaurant Week is here! Enjoy 3-course meals at many restaurants starting at $30.
• Learn to Kayak, Monday, July 27: Learn to Kayak with Madison Boats! Register online for this free class offered at Wingra Park. All ages are welcome and most appropriate for ages 10 and older. Anyone under 18 must have a guardian present and may need to be in the kayak with child.
• Lakeside Kids! Madison Capoeira – Grupo Capoeira Brazil, Tuesday, July 28: Join us for another exiting summer season of Lakeside Kids! – a free interactive series featuring science, culture, arts and entertainment. Designed for kids ages 4 and up. Lakeside Kids! provides hands-on fun and learning in an engaging and dynamic setting.
• Grateful Dead Night, Wednesday, July 29: Join us for an evening of great music, drinks, and fun at our Grateful Dead Night from 5:30–8:00 PM!
• Goodman Pool 20th Anniversary Celebration, Friday, July 31: Join us as we celebrate 20 years of the Goodman Pool! We'll have music, games, prizes, food carts and fun! The first 500 people will receive a Goodman Pool yellow duck! Free leis while supplies last. 
• Live at The Glen | Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band, Friday, July 31: Wisconsin's premier Latin Jazz Band for over 20 years, Tony Castañeda and his band have been honoring and keeping alive the music of what some call the Golden Age of Latin Jazz.  Winner of 14 Isthmus Madison Favorite Jazz Band annual awards.
• Adapted Swim, Saturday, August 1: Open to all individuals with disabilities and their caregivers and families. Pre-registration is not required.
• The Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison is offering a free in-person fair housing training seminar for owners and managers of rental properties, or staff operating shelters or residential programs, in Madison. Friday, August 7, 2026, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Madison Public Library, Central Branch. The seminar will include information about the protected classes and prohibited practices delineated by local, state, and federal fair housing laws, as well as reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities. 
• Get ready for Madison Black Restaurant Week, August 9-16.
   

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

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, July 27, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving a revised 2026 Resource Recovery Special Charge rate of $5.40 per month beginning on September 1 through the remainder of 2026.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, July 27, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 2, 10, 14, and 15.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

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

Best wishes,

Regina Vidaver