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W Day at stadium tomorrow; Football season starts 9/6; Highland & Campus drive to close 10/9-13; West Area Plan page live; Events & Announcements

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Hello neighbors,

With the start of the UW-Madison fall semester around the corner also comes football season. The first game will be September 6 at 6:30pm. Please check the Badger football schedule for additional game dates and times. Fireworks are planned for games on September 12, October 3, and October 24.

There will also be “W day" for incoming freshman at the stadium TOMORROW, August 31, beginning at 6:30pm. Please be prepared for some noise, and potentially use of stadium lights for this event.

Heads up that the Highland and Campus Drive ramp intersection will again be closed, this time for replacement of the pavement surrounding the railroad tracks, which has greatly deteriorated. The area will be closed for 5 days, tentatively planned for October 9-13, reopening on October 14. Notably, pedestrian traffic will also be detoured during this time frame, needing to use “Old" University Ave, Walnut St., and the bike path to get around that intersection.

The Near West Area Plan page is up and has a slew of background information. There will be more information coming your way starting next month, as the planning process gets officially started!

Updates and Notices

  • 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. The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park is a multifunctional indoor-outdoor facility containing both a library and four-season parks pavilion. The building will open on Friday, September 25 with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Library, City, and State officials at 3-4pm. Following the ribbon cutting, neighbors and residents are invited to an opening weekend of activities, including building tours, a how-to corner, nature walks, food trucks, a movie in the park, and more. 
  • The Smart Trips Challenge Is Almost Here! With fall routines and the new school year beginning, September is a great time to try a different way of getting around. Bike to school with your kids, take the bus to meet up with friends, carpool with coworkers, or walk/roll for a nearby errand. These options can help you save money, add some activity to your day, and reduce your carbon footprint. The challenge is free and open to anyone age 18 or older who lives or works in Dane County. Create a free RoundTrip account and log your eligible trips for chances to win more than a dozen weekly and grand prize drawings. Join the 2026 Smart Trips Challenge!
  • Our community's first purpose-built men's homeless shelter opens Tuesday, September 1 at 1904 Bartillon Drive. On that same date, the temporary shelter on Zeier Road will cease operations. The new shelter has 250 beds which will be used to serve male-identifying adults determined by Porchlight, Inc., the operator, to meet established vulnerability criteria (age, medical dependencies, length of homelessness). This City-owned facility incorporates a number of design features that reflect input gathered from people with lived experience. They include smaller sleeping quarters that replace the more traditional large congregate space; storage lockers and electrical outlets at each bed; ample bathroom and shower facilities; a secure outdoor area; and dedicated space in which shelter guests can work with service providers. Learn more about homeless services resources in our community: https://www.danecountyhomeless.org/get-help

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

Announcements and News Releases

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

  • International Overdose Awareness Day, Monday, August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day provides a space for remembrance, connection, and healing for those impacted by loss.
  • Annual Regent Neighborhood walk-about,Wednesday, September 2, 5-6:30pm. Please meet at the corner of Lathrop and Summit to knock doors of renters to welcome them to the neighborhood and introduce them to the Neighborhood Association.
  • MadiSUN solar walking tour, Thursday, September 3: In partnership with RENEW Wisconsin and the City of Madison, local resident Michael Vickerman will lead an in-person walking tour showcasing residential solar electric installations near and along the Southwest Bicycle Path. The tour will begin at 4:15pm at the Madison Friends Meeting House (1704 Roberts Court), and will conclude by 5:45pm.
  • Louka & Co., Friday, September 4: Get ready for an unforgettable evening on the Glen Patio with Louka & Co, a dynamic group known for their eclectic blend of bluegrass and beyond.
  • Westmoreland Summer Nights, September 12: Join your neighbors for Dog in Soup (4:30-5:30), Los Chechos (Latin blend – cumbia, ska, reggae) (5:45-6:45pm), Mama Digdown's Brass Band (New Orleans-style second line brass) 7-8:30pm, finishing with a Drone Light Show: 8:30 sharp. Expect a high-energy, end-of-summer night, with food trucks galore, that turns the park into a festival.
  • Madison Good Neighbor Gathering 2026, Sunday, September 13: Come to Brittingham Park from noon-4pm for this family-friendly festival of fun!
  • The7th Annual Regent Neighborhood Art Walk will be on Saturday, September 26th from 10:00am-4:00pm (rain date is 9/27).

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, August 31, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing the Economic Development Division to administer a Williamson Street Business Stabilization Support Program, as well as transferring $28,500 from the contingent reserve to the Office of the Independent Monitor for additional staffing and services costs.
  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, August 31, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 15, and 20.

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

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Portrait of Alder Regina Vidaver

Alder Regina M. Vidaver

District 5
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