Week of September 22, 2025

Dear District 7 Neighbors,

As we move into another busy week in Madison, there are several important updates, road work notices, public meetings, and community events to share. Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and helping shape the future of our city.

Road Closure Update

Mid Town Road Closure
Beginning Wednesday, September 17, Parisi Construction closed Mid Town Road between Marty Road and S Gammon Road to allow for a City of Madison water main installation. Please plan extra time for travel in this area and follow posted detours.

Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement
Starting Monday, September 22, the Capital City Trail will be closed between S Blount Street and S Brearly Street for storm sewer replacement. Cyclists and pedestrians should follow detour signage in place.

Upcoming Lunch & Learn

Connecting D7: Learning Together with Alder Lankella
Please join me on Thursday, September 25, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. for a virtual Lunch & Learn session featuring Dr. Yang Tao, Director of Traffic Engineering for the City of Madison.
We will discuss traffic safety, street design, and how engineering solutions are helping make Madison’s neighborhoods safer and more connected.
📌 Event details and registration here.

Supporting Unsheltered Residents and Facing Hard Realities

Dairy Drive Decision

This past week, I voted to close the Dairy Drive site. This was not an easy decision. When it first opened, Dairy Drive served an important purpose, providing people who had been living in unsafe encampments with shelter, meals, housing navigation, mental health resources, and other essential supports. Much of this work was made possible by one-time federal funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

As those federal dollars have now run out, we are left without the same level of resources or a sustainable long-term plan. Without adequate funding, staffing, and measurable outcomes, extending operations at Dairy Drive would not have provided the stability or dignity that our residents experiencing homelessness deserve.

Even as Dairy Drive closes, our community continues to invest in broader, more sustainable solutions:

• A new purpose-built men’s shelter under construction.
• Expanded family shelter capacity.
• A dedicated day shelter.
• Stronger outreach through culturally competent organizations.
• Expanded CARES services citywide.

Just this week, new City funding was allocated to nonprofits that provide direct support to unsheltered residents. Still, the need exceeds available resources, and not all organizations could be funded. At the same time, Dane County faces a significant budget deficit, with the Department of Human Services asked to plan for reductions. The City has already committed to increasing our contribution to shelter operations and has asked the County to match these efforts. At present, that commitment from the County is not clear.

The reality is stark: with federal dollars gone, state and county commitments uncertain, and needs continuing to rise, the choices before us are difficult. I share the concern, frustration, and sadness of many neighbors about the limits of what we can do with the resources currently available.

I want to thank the many District 7 residents who have expressed compassion and solidarity with our unsheltered neighbors. Addressing homelessness requires not only public funding, but also private sector support, nonprofit partnerships, and continued community involvement.

Please stay engaged. Reach out to me, to County Supervisors, and to State leaders. Volunteer or support local organizations doing this work on the ground. It is only through strong partnerships and sustained commitment that we can make real progress in reducing homelessness and ensuring safe, stable housing for all.

Meeting and Event Highlights

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

• Housing Policy Committee
  Thursday, September 25 at 4:30 p.m. (Virtual)
  Agenda items include a discussion on allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to have two units.
  🔗 [Meeting Details] | [Agenda] | [Register for Public Comment] | [Watch Online]
• Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Commission
  Thursday, September 25 at 8:00 a.m.
  📌 Commission Meeting Details

If you would like to learn more about serving on a City board, commission, or committee, visit the City’s participation page.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Project
  Monday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
  Learn about construction anticipated to begin in early October.
• Warner Park and Cherokee Marsh Watershed Study
  Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
  The City will present completed drainage modeling of existing flooding conditions.

Announcements & News Releases

• In Memory of Retired Madison Police Horse Xander (1999–2025) – Remembering Xander, a beloved member of MPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit.
• Willy Street Fair Closures – Williamson Street and nearby side streets will close during the festival.
• 30,000 Pounds of Food Scraps Collected – The City is on track toward its 2025 composting goal.
• Spirit Joins MPD Mounted Patrol – Community welcomed Spirit, a new horse in the patrol unit.
• Celebrate The Great Gatsby’s 100th Anniversary – Meadowridge Library is hosting events this fall.

Additional announcements can be found on the City News page.

Community Events

• Homebuyer Education Course (Part 2 of 3) – Tuesday, Sept. 23
• Deaf President Now! Film Screening – Wednesday, Sept. 24
• Free Fall Fun at Aldo Leopold Park – Wednesday, Sept. 24
• FOOT-Loose Dances @ Olin Park – Wednesday, Sept. 24
• Volunteer at The Glen – Saturday, Sept. 27
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic @ Sennett Middle School – Saturday, Sept. 27
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor – Saturday, Sept. 27
• Greater Madison MPO @ Dane County Farmers’ Market – Saturday, Sept. 27
• Week Without Driving Community Discussion – Sunday, Sept. 28
• Lake Wingra Community Bike Ride – Sunday, Sept. 28

Check the City events calendar for more details and additional events.

Updates & Reminders

• Trash, Recycling, and Brush – Collection schedules remain available on the Streets Division page.
• Stay Engaged – Subscribe to City of Madison news and meeting notifications to stay informed.

Thank you for reading and for your active participation in District 7 and Madison’s civic life. Your engagement makes our community stronger.

Badri Lankella
Alder, District 7

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of September 22, 2025

Updates and Notices

Trash, Recycling, & Brush: Collection schedules for trash and recycling, brush, and yard waste.

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.

• Housing Policy Committee: The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, September 25, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include allowing accessory dwelling units to have two units.
  • 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)

• John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Project, Monday, September 22: The John Nolen Drive Reconstruction project (E Lakeside St to S Broom St) is anticipated to start construction in early-October 2025. In advance of this significant project, the project team will be hosting a public information meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
• Warner Park and Cherokee Marsh Watershed Study, Tuesday, September 23: The City of Madison is conducting a watershed study in the Warner Park and Cherokee Marsh watershed and the drainage model of existing flooding conditions is complete. A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Sept. 23, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

Announcements and News Releases

• Alder Badri Lankella Hosts Lunch and Learn Featuring Director of Traffic Engineering : Community members are invited to join Alder Badri Lankella for a virtual Lunch and Learn session on Thursday, September 25, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. This session will feature guest speaker Dr. Yang Tao, the Director of Traffic Engineering for the… [posted September 19, 2025]
• In Memory of Retired Madison Police Horse Xander 1999 – 2025: Xander was a large Missouri Fox Trotter with a thick black coat that was perfect for warming your hands, petting and hugging.   However, his most defining characteristic was his personality; he was a smart, curious and energetic horse who… [posted September 18, 2025]
• Street Closures for Willy Street Fair: Williamson Street will close, between S Livingston Street and S Ingersoll Street, this weekend for the Willy Street Fair. S Paterson Street and S Brearly Street will also be closed between Williamson Street and the Capital City Trail. [posted September 17, 2025]
• Project Update - Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement: Starting Monday, September 22nd, the Capital City Trail Sewer Replacement Project will begin with a full closure of the bike path from S Blount Street to S Brearly Street. [posted September 17, 2025]
• Cheer Team, Community Celebrate Spirit’s Induction into MPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit: Spirit, a 6 -year-old Percheron Gelding, earned his badge this evening and became an official member of the Madison Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit. Under a warm blue sky, the ceremony took place near the fieldhouse at Vel Phillips Memorial… [posted September 16, 2025]
• Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Great Gatsby at Meadowridge Library this Fall : MADISON, WI – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published on April 10, 1925, and has since become a timeless classic of American fiction that has gone on to inspire several film, television, and theater adaptations, as well as other writers around the world. [posted September 15, 2025]
• Road Closure — Mid Town Road: Starting Wednesday, September 17th at 7:00am, Parisi Construction will close Mid Town Road, between the Marty Road/Mid Town Road intersection to the S Gammon/Mid Town Road intersection, to facilitate a City of Madison water main installation…  [posted September 15, 2025]
• 30,000 Pounds of Food Scraps Composted at Farmers’ Markets: Closing in on 2025 Food Scraps Recycling Goal: The City of Madison Streets Division is happy to announce that we have collected 30,177 pounds of food scraps for composing at our three farmers’ market drop-off sites. In 2025, our goal is to collect 40,000 pounds of food scraps for composting. That…  [posted September 15, 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

• Homebuyer Education Course Part 2 of 3, Tuesday, September 23: This HUD-Certified Homebuyer Education Course assists aspiring homeowners with making informed decisions and to potentially qualify for specialized loan programs.
• Deaf President Now! Film Screening, Wednesday, September 24: Join us for a screening and discussion of Deaf President Now! A student-led protest at Gallaudet University led to the appointment of the university’s first Deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan, marking a turning point in the fight for Deaf rights.
• FREE Fall Fun - Aldo Leopold Park, Wednesday, September 24 (This event occurs on multiple dates): The Leopold Arbor Hills NRT invites residents to build skills in mountain biking, ultimate and disc golf, and social dance! Instructors will provide lessons to people of all ages.  Come learn some skills and enjoy a light dinner afterwards.
• FOOT-Loose Dances, Wednesday, September 24 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Join FOOT (Friends of Olin Turville) every Wednesday in September for two hours of dancing fun, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, inside the historic Olin Park pavilion.
• Connecting D7: Learning Together with Alder Badri Lankella, Thursday, September 25: Community members are invited to a virtual Lunch and Learn session with Alder Badri Lankella on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. The guest speaker will be Dr. Yang Tao, Director of Traffic Engineering for the City of Madison.
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, September 27 (This event occurs on multiple dates): Every month, we offer chances for people to volunteer at The Glen Golf Park. You can help make the park look beautiful by working on the land, managing it, and restoring areas that need attention.
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Sennett Middle School, Saturday, September 27: All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare or most other types of insurance, can receive vaccinations at no cost.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, September 27: 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.
• Visit the Greater Madison MPO @ the Dane County Farmers' Market, Saturday, September 27: The Greater Madison MPO is partnering with local communities and organizations to promote Week Without Driving, a nationwide challenge happening Monday, September 29 through Sunday, October 5, 2025, that highlights the importance of accessible, multimodal transportation options.
• Week Without Driving Community Discussion — Madison, Sunday, September 28: The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC), in partnership with UW–Madison Transportation Services and AARP Wisconsin, are hosting a Community Discussion as part of the Week Without Driving.
• Lake Wingra Community Bike Ride, Sunday, September 28: Come explore Madison’s hidden gem by joining neighbors and friends for a community event around the 6.5-mile Lake Wingra Loop. Whether you bike, run, or walk, the loop offers an urban oasis filled with natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and neighborhood character. The route circles Lake Wingra, passing through the Vilas, Dudgeon-Monroe, Nakoma, Arboretum, and Greenbush neighborhoods. 

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