Breese Stevens Neighborhood Meeting This Thursday

Please join me this Thursday, October 8 from 6-8pm at Christ Presbyterian Church (944 E Gorham St) to learn about and discuss Big Top Events' renovation proposal for Breese Stevens Field.

Big Top Events has had a contract with the City of Madison to operate Breese Stevens Field since 2015. Big Top has proposed $8 million in privately-funded capital improvements for 2027, including stormwater management and construction of a permanent stage, new locker room and concessions spaces, and permanent artist facilities. The plan alters a portion of the landmark stonewall to allow semi-trucks into the stadium. In 2026, Big Top was approved to host up to 12 concerts and hosted 4. This proposal would increase the concert cap to 14 shows in 2027, hitting 20 shows in 2030 and remaining at that level for the 21-year agreement. 

Updates and Notices

• Public Records: Please be advised that, pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39, all electronic communications, including emails and information submitted through City websites, sent to City officials or staff are considered public records and are subject to being released in public records requests.

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.

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include a presentation on the compensation study.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 5, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include authorizing the Planning Division to lead the preparation of the Near West Area Plan and the North Area Plan, as well as development-related requests in Districts 6, 9, and 16.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 7, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include construction management in Districts 1, 9, 13, 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.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Public Meeting - Odana Hills Golf Course and Park, Wednesday, October 7: The community is invited to attend a virtual public information meeting as Parks staff provide an update on the Odana Hills Golf Course and Odana Hills East Park Master Plan redesign. 

Announcements and News Releases

• New Oil Drop-Off Site Now Open : Madison residents have a new option for dropping off motor oil in the City.  A new location is now open at 1504 Quann-Olin Parkway, Madison, Wis. This is the City's third site it hosts for used motor oil and used oil filters. … [posted October 2, 2026]
• 2026 Fall Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Begins; First Set Out Date for Some Neighborhoods Is 10/4/26: Honey locust leaves are falling; backyard gardens are being harvested. It's time to start the fall leaf and yard waste pickup season! The first set out date for some - not all - neighborhoods is Sunday, October 4, 2026. Dates when you should set out… [posted October 2, 2026]
• Temporary Street Closures for S Broom and W Doty Streets: Starting on Monday October 5, Speedway Sand and Gravel will begin constructing public utility improvements for the private development project at S Broom Street and W Doty Street. Work will occur on both streets during this project and will… [posted October 2, 2026]
• Samantha Jane Mullen Named Next Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence: The Madison Arts Commission is pleased to announce sculptor Samantha Jane Mullen will be the next Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence. [posted October 1, 2026]
• Early Detection Starts with Breast Cancer Screening(external): This October, Public Health Madison & Dane County is urging women not to skip or delay their recommended breast cancer screening. [posted October 1, 2026]
• Celebrate Native Nations with Teejop & Beyond Programs at Madison Public Library beginning October 12: MADISON, WI – The Teejop & Beyond: Celebrating Native Nations program begins at Madison Public Library on Monday, October 12 (Indigenous Peoples' Day). The program is hosted in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and highlights both… [posted October 1, 2026]
• Share Your Input on Madison LakeWay SkyLine Public Art Designs: In May, the Public Art Selection Committee selected four finalists to develop design proposals for the public art for the first phase of the Madison LakeWay development project along Lake Monona, called the SkyLine. [posted September 29, 2026]

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

• School Vaccination Clinic - Leopold Elementary School (Madison), Monday, October 5: 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, Quartz, GHC, or Dean insurance
• Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence Opening, Tuesday, October 6: The City of Madison and the Madison Arts Commission is holding an opening for the new Thurber Artist in Resident, Samantha Jane Mullen.
• Aldo Leopold Park Fall Fun, Wednesday, October 7: Come to the park on Oct 7 for complimentary sandwiches, social dance, frisbee, bike lessons and repairs.
• Free Homebuyer Education Class (in person), Saturday, October 10: Take the first step to owning a home and join us in this Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE Homebuyer Education workshop takes place in-person at a Madison area location to be determined on Saturday, October 10, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm! Lunch will be provided.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, October 10: Insect Super-Powers ~ Join UW Professor Marjorie Rhine for a free fun family friendly guided outing to look for and learn about fascinating insects we see on plants and along the trails. Discover how insects play starring roles in samurai helmet design and Japanese art, textiles, haiku and anime (Japanese animation)!
• 9th Annual Picnic in the Park, Saturday, October 10: Celebrate with the Madison Parks Foundation at this year's Picnic in the Park on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC), 1625 Northport Dr. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, October 11: Seeds and Leaves ~ Fall is the season of leaves changing colors and seed dispersal! Join Master Naturalist Stephanie Briand on a free, fun and family friendly Fall scavenger hunt to look for different kinds of seeds and leaves.
• Movie at The Glen | Shrek, Sunday, October 11: We asked for your movie requests and have answered.  For the conclusion of our movie watching season, we will show Shrek.  

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