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City of Madison

Madison Madness Returns for Downtown Area Plan

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Madison Madness logo on top of a view down State Street with pink flamingo sculptures

The City of Madison Planning Division is bringing "Madison Madness" back as part of its efforts to collect community priorities and feedback for the Downtown Area Plan. 

Last year, the Planning Division used "Madness Madness" — a community survey in a tournament bracket format — to ask residents to think more deeply about which aspects of future planning they would like to see prioritized as part of the Southwest and Southeast Area Plans. Last year's "Madison Madness" generated nearly 1,400 responses, helping City planners get a better idea of the spectrum of priorities among residents. The insights gained from the popular activity factored into recommended actions in both plans. 

This year, "Madison Madness" will focus on Madison's downtown as part of "Envision Downtown Madison," the City of Madison's strategic partnership with Downtown Madison, Inc. 

The survey will be open until April 6, 2026. A results summary will be posted publicly on the Downtown Area Plan webpage after City staff compiles the data. 

Fill Out Your Bracket

How the Bracket Works

Each "team" in the bracket represents a component of what the future of the city could be. The bracket's four "regions" represent a different area of focus:  Reasons to be Downtown, Ways to Get Around, Downtown Living and Working, and Open Spaces and Recreation Opportunities. Each "region" is broken down into eight different aspects of those categories. There are 32 items in the bracket overall. 

The survey will take you through each "matchup" individually. In each matchup, you'll choose what the higher priority is for you. The survey will keep presenting you with matchups as you work your way through the bracket until you have your "champion" — the biggest priority you'd like to see addressed. 

While the activity ends with your top priority, it's important to note there will be no "winner" declared in the final results. Each aspect included in the bracket is important and will be included in future plans, and nothing will be de-prioritized based on the results of the survey. Results of this survey will be added to the collection of feedback staff will collect through the rest of the Downtown Area Plan and Envision Downtown Madison processes. 

Other Engagement Opportunities 

In addition to this community survey, the City of Madison Planning Division and Downtown Madison, Inc. will hold its next joint public meeting on April 30, 2026. More details on a location and time will be posted on the Downtown Area Plan's website and sent out to subscribers of the project email list when available.

Stay Updated

The best way to stay up to date on the Downtown Area Plan is to join the email list.  The list is our primary way of announcing meetings and communicating other project updates for the Downtown Area Plan. 

About Envision Downtown Madison 

Envision Downtown Madison is a strategic partnership between the City of Madison and Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI) that will guide the future of downtown. It is made up of two separate, but coordinated, efforts: the City of Madison's Downtown Area Plan and the Greater Downtown Economic Investment Strategy (or simply, the Downtown Strategy). The Downtown Area Plan will guide future growth, public policy and investments, and will build off the success of the 2012 Downtown Plan. Led by DMI, the Downtown Strategy will focus on opportunities for long-term investment in downtown that ensure growth is viable, sustainable and inclusive. 

Through coordinated planning, extensive stakeholder engagement, short-term action, and aligned long-term investments that leverage public and private sector strengths, Envision Downtown Madison aims to support a thriving economy and position the city as a national leader in thoughtful, balanced urban development. 

The Downtown Area Plan will cover the area between Park and Blair Streets and Lake Mendota and Monona.  It covers roughly 700 acres and is home to 34,000 residents and more than 60,000 jobs. 

Additional Information and Resources

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