Week of July 21, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

We’re heading into another lively week in Madison! From major public input opportunities to community events, sustainability updates, and exciting citywide happenings, there’s a lot to share.

🏙️ Housing Forward Policies Approved

At last week’s Common Council meeting, I joined colleagues in approving three key Housing Forward initiatives. These policies support more flexible and inclusive housing types, including townhomes, smaller single-family homes, and missing-middle housing to help ease Madison’s housing shortage. While these are not the final steps in our housing journey, they represent a meaningful move toward creating housing options that reflect the needs of residents across all neighborhoods.

Special thanks to all who attended and voiced their opinions, and your engagement at Council meetings strengthens the outcomes for our entire city.

🌊 Monday, July 21: Madison LakeWay Public Input Meeting

A virtual public input meeting for the Madison LakeWay redesign takes place (Monday, July 21) at 6:30pm. If you haven’t already registered, this is your chance to influence one of the most transformative lakefront projects in the city.

What’s included:

• Updates since the schematic design phase
• Proposed amenities along the Lake Monona shoreline
• Timeline for construction and coordination with the John Nolen Drive redesign

📅 Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027, with planning running through 2026. Your input now is essential to shaping this shared public space.
🔗Register for the meeting here

🎨 Imagination Center Public Art Call

Inspired by the spotlight from Alder Sean, I want to uplift the call for artists to contribute public artwork to the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. This new park-based library will serve as a vital hub for civic engagement and cultural expression. The selected artwork will reflect Madison’s creativity and community pride.

🗓️ Application Deadline: August 27, 2025

🏞️ Parks Alive Continues!

The Parks Alive series is back this week! These community celebrations bring neighbors together through food, music, and activities across Madison’s parks.

📍 Nearby dates:

• Monday, July 21 – Galaxy Park
• Wednesday, July 23 – Hammersley Park (a District 7 gem!)

Come out and connect with fellow residents. If you'd like to get involved or volunteer, visit the city’s volunteer website.

📢 Highlights from Around the City

• 20 is Plenty Phase 2 rolls out citywide this summer, slowing traffic speeds to enhance safety under the Vision Zero initiative.
• Overdose Alert: Public Health has issued an alert due to increased overdose risks. Please share resources and stay informed.
• Coldplay & Wicked: Expect increased downtown traffic and road closures, drive safely and look out for bicyclists and pedestrians.

📌 Upcoming Committee Meetings of Interest

• Transportation Commission – Wednesday, July 23, 5:00 PM (virtual)
  Topics include curb management and S. Stoughton Road study updates.
• Housing Policy Committee – Thursday, July 24, 4:30 PM (virtual)
  Featuring a staff update on Madison’s housing snapshot.
• Watershed Study PIM – Thursday, July 24, 6:30 PM
  A virtual session on the East Isthmus and Yahara River Watershed Study.

All city meetings are listed at cityofmadison.com/MeetingSchedule.

🙋‍♂️ Let's Stay Connected

Whether you have thoughts on zoning, sustainability, transportation, or neighborhood safety, I’m always eager to hear from you. Thank you for staying engaged and committed to building a resilient, welcoming District 7.

With gratitude,
Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of July 21, 2025

Updates and Notices

Ride the Drive: Join the fun at Ride the Drive 2025 on Sunday, August 10. Portions of John Nolen Drive and Willy Street will be closed to vehicles, and three downtown area parks will come alive with all-ages activities, food and entertainment.

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.

• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 23, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an update on the Wisconsin Department of Transpiration’s project regarding South Stoughton Road.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Housing Policy Committee: The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, July 24, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a staff presentation on the data for the 2025 Housing Snapshot Report.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • 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)

• Public Input Meeting - Madison LakeWay, Monday, July 21: The community is invited to attend a virtual public meeting on the first phase of the Madison LakeWay! Join us on Monday, July 21 at 6:30 PM for a virtual public meeting to review the ongoing design development for the upcoming Madison LakeWay improvements. The project area is a 0.6-mile stretch of Lake Monona’s shoreline adjacent to John Nolen Drive. Community members are invited to review the progress and share input on proposed lakeshore features.
  • East Isthmus and Yahara River Watershed Study, Thursday, July 24: This City will be hosting the third virtual public meeting for the East Isthmus Yahara River Watershed on Thursday, July 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Registration prior to the meeting is required. July 24, 2025 Public Information Meeting Registration

Announcements and News Releases

• Amigos en Azul helps dozens of families at car seat clinic: MADISON, Wis. – Officers involved in Amigos en Azul assisted more than 30 families at this week’s car seat clinic.Officers checked to make sure car seats were installed properly and provided one to families free of charge if needed. In all, 45 car… [posted July 18, 2025]
• 20 is Plenty Officially Launches in Madison: The City of Madison is excited to share the updated progress for Phase 2 of the 20 is Plenty program, which began in the winter of 2024 under the Vision Zero Initiative. This second phase will expand the speed reduction initiative citywide, with neighborhood sign installations expected to be completed by August 2025. [posted July 18, 2025]
• City of Madison, UW-Madison Update Neighborhood Indicators Project Data: New data on housing, health and more in the City of Madison are now available as part of the latest update to the Neighborhood Indicators Project (NIP). [posted July 18, 2025]
• Applications open for Imagination Center at Reindahl Park public art: The City of Madison, the Madison Arts Commission, and The Bubbler at Madison Public Library are seeking a qualified public artist to create original artwork for the outdoor patio area of the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. [posted July 17, 2025]
• Reverend Wright Human Rights Award Recipient, Edward Murray, Jr.: The 28th Annual Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award goes to Edward (Ed) L. Murray, Jr., a founding member of 100 Black Men of Madison and a dedicated member of the Dane County branch of the NAACP. [posted July 16, 2025]
• Traffic Impacts for Opera in the Park: Multiple streets will be impacted this weekend for the annual Opera in the Park event. [posted July 16, 2025]
• Street Closure for Maxwell Street Days: Multiple streets will be closed this weekend for the annual Maxwell Street Days event. [posted July 16, 2025]
• Madison Common Council Approves Housing Proposals: Immediate Release July 15, 2025, Tonight, the Madison Common Council unanimously approved three proposals designed to make it easier to build a range of homes, increase flexibility for homeownership, and make it easier to permit small and… [posted July 15, 2025]
• Overdose Spike Alert: Risk of Drug Overdose Increased in Dane County (link is external): On July 15, Public Health Madison & Dane County issued a public health alert due to an increase, or spike, in drug overdoses in our community. [posted July 15, 2025]
• Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Coldplay at Camp Randall Stadium: The City of Madison is announcing several street closures and parking restrictions in preparation for the Coldplay concert at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, July 19. These measures are intended to support pedestrian safety and event… [posted July 15, 2025]
• Protect Trees from Weed Killer: The City of Madison Streets and Urban Forestry Division would like to remind residents that incorrect application of weed killers (herbicides) near trees can damage, or even mortally wound them. There are ways to keep our lawns looking their best… [posted July 14, 2025]
• City Engineering’s Pleasant View Road Project Earns ‘Project of the Year’: The City of Madison Engineering Division is proud to announce the Pleasant View Road Project is the American Public Works Association (APWA), Wisconsin Chapter, 2025 Project of the Year. [posted July 14, 2025]

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

• Monday Mornings at The Glen, Monday, July 21, 2025: Enjoy The Glen for a stroll, nature, workout or leashed dog walk from sunrise to 8:00 am. Tee times resume at hole #1 at 8:00am. Visitors should be alert for golf balls and golfers while exiting the course.
• WPGA Jr. Odana Junior Tour, Monday, July 21: This tour has events located all around the state of Wisconsin. Events are for Wisconsin residents and Out of state residents may now participate in our events. No handicap required. These events are 18 hole tournaments typically starting with 8 a.m. tee times. Age divisions are 16-18, 14-15, 12-13 for boys and girls.
• Movie in the Park | A Minecraft Movie, Monday, July 21: Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park! Movie: A Minecraft Movie(link is external) (2025) PG 1h 41m, Showtime: 6:30pm.
• Lakeside Kids: Power Dance Kids, Tuesday, July 22: Join us for another exciting summer season of Lakeside Kids! – a free, interactive series featuring science, culture, arts and entertainment. Designed for kids ages 4+, this event provides hands on fun and learning in an engaging and dynamic setting. 
• WPGA Jr. The Glen Future Tour, Tuesday, July 22: Located around the state, this tour offers 9-hole tournament experience. Juniors must be 14 and under to play on this tour. This tour is more for juniors who are not yet ready to play 18 holes. Juniors under the age of 12 must play in a Future tour event to qualify them to play in Junior Tour events. Age divisions are 12-14 and 11 & under for boys and girls. Juniors on this tour typically play from the forward to middle tees. Events typically start at 8:30 a.m.
• Homebuyer Education Course Part 1 of 3, Tuesday, July 22: This HUD-Certified Homebuyer Education Course assists aspiring homeowners with making informed decisions and to potentially qualify for specialized loan programs. Topics covered include: entire homebuying process including pre-approval; money management and credit; and down payment assistance programs.
• Movie in the Park | Rudy, Tuesday, July 22: Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and join us for a free movie in the park! Movie: Rudy(link is external) (1993) PG 1h 54m, Showtime: 6:30pm.
• Live @ Lake Vista: carisa (Folk/ Jazz/ Bedroom Café), Wednesday, July 23: Join us at Lake Vista Café on the rooftop overlooking lovely Lake Monona for live music in a relaxed atmosphere. carisa’s music is best categorized as bedroom cafe. It hints at some of her influences, primarily bossa nova, folk, and jazz. Her lyrics are often straight from the pages of her journal and are always autobiographical in some way.
• Concerts on the Rooftop: Gold Dust Women (Fleetwood Mac/Heart Tribute), Thursday, July 24: Gold Dust Women isn’t just a tribute band—it’s a powerhouse of top-tier musicians, each a standout performer in their own right. When these dynamic personalities come together on stage, they create pure magic, bringing the music of Fleetwood Mac, Heart, and a few unexpected surprises to life with electrifying energy.
• Brat Fry Friday, Friday, July 25: Come join us for lunch at the links!  The grill will be fired up from 10am-3pm for a delicious afternoon treat.  
• Live at The Glen | DJ Chamo, Friday, July 25: Madison Parks Foundation is proud to present Live at The Glen! Enjoy live music on the patio at The Glen Golf Park. From Venezuela, DJ Chamo(link is external) spreads Latin beats worldwide.  Come out to hear the latest and greatest from DJ Chamo as he plays the best of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and Reggaeton!
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, July 26 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Glen, a unique mixed-use outdoor recreation golf park located in the heart of Madison, WI, is more than just a place to play golf. It's a community hub where nature and recreation meet. We're on a mission to make The Glen a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone – and we need your help!  Volunteering at The Glen offers you a unique opportunity to contribute to your community, learn new skills, grow personally and professionally, and connect with like-minded individuals.
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Thoreau Elementary School, Saturday, July 26: All vaccines are free to those eligible, including children six months and older who do not have insurance, are under 19, and are Alaskan Native or American Indian, have BadgerCare, and have most other types of insurance.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, July 26: 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. Walks through the Edna Taylor Conservation Park are held on the 4th Saturday, 10-11:30am each month.
• Disability Pride, Saturday, July 26: This annual event, hosted by www.DisabilityPrideMadison.org(link is external), celebrates the diversity and talents of Madison's disabled community.  Join us for food, fun, entertainment, activities, and more.
• Movie in the Park | Inside Out 2, Saturday, July 26: Join Downtown Madison's Business Improvement District (BID) and Madison Parks for a free movie in Peace Park! Movie: Inside Out 2(link is external) (2024) PG 1h 36m, Showtime: 8:30pm.

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

Parks Alive Dates!

Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Events start at 5:00 p.m.

• Parks Alive at Galaxy Park on Monday, July 21
• Parks Alive at Sandburg Park on Tuesday, July 22
• Parks Alive at Hammersley Park on Wednesday, July 23

Please find additional upcoming City of Madison Parks events listed on the City parks event calendar. To volunteer for Parks Alive and other opportunities in Madison, visit the City of Madison's Volunteer website.