North and Near West Area Plan Outreach Ramps Up

posted 
Map of Madison highlighting the North and Near West areas

Public engagement for the North and Near West Area Plans will ramp up in November, with both Area Plans offering two virtual kickoff meetings in addition to in-person open houses.

Ahead of those meetings, staff have already begun collecting feedback though multiple methods. Hundreds of comments have been submitted so far through a “Your Ideas" commenting map for each plan launched last month, and the Planning Division has also been working with area leaders, institutions, and community organizations like the Northside Planning Council on additional engagement efforts. 

The Northside Planning Council will continue to actively support a strong connection and two-way communication between the city planners and staff drafting the North Area Plan and the many Northside stakeholders—residents, neighborhoods, local businesses, nonprofits, and other groups—who live and work in this part of town, love it, and care deeply about its future.

—

Justin Markofski, Northside Planning Council Executive Director

To help ensure that people from all backgrounds in the North Area have the opportunity to share ideas and review and comment on draft plan materials, the City is in the process of hiring Community Partners and an Engagement Specialist. The focus will be on reaching people typically underrepresented in planning processes such as people from Black, Indigenous and People of Color and Latinx communities and people with disabilities. 

If we want a plan that works for the whole Northside, we have to hear from the whole Northside. Being intentional means we don't wait for people to come to us. We go to them, in their neighborhoods, in their languages, and on their schedules. Too often, renters, working families, communities of color, and people with disabilities are left out of the room. The North Area Plan must reflect everyone who calls the Northside home.

—

Ald. Carmella Glenn, District 18

City staff and volunteers have also visited nearly 250 businesses throughout both areas in early October to learn more about the business climate in the North and Near West areas.  Feedback is being compiled into a Business Walk report that will help inform plan development.

Ways to Get Engaged

There are multiple ways to get involved in the North and Near West Area Plan processes in the coming weeks and months. 

Both area plans will be holding a series of kickoff meetings to explain the process and provide opportunities for feedback. The content of these meetings will be the same, but multiple dates, times, and formats are being offered so interested community members can attend the meeting that best fits their schedule. Recordings of the virtual meetings will be available on the respective plan websites for those who were unable to attend.

North Area Plan Kickoff Events

Near West Area Plan Kickoff Events

The "Your Ideas" commenting map for each plan allows residents and stakeholders in both areas share their ideas and concerns directly with staff whenever it is most convenient for them through their phone or computer. Planning staff anticipates keeping the commenting maps open through November to make sure everyone has a chance to share their ideas and also see the feedback others have submitted. 

Your Ideas Map: North Area Plan

Your Ideas Map: Near West Area Plan

The Near West Area Plan engagement process is an opportunity for the community to come together to talk about their dreams for their streets, their parks, their libraries, and other spaces. You know your neighborhood best, so come tell us what you want to see for the future!

—

Ald. Regina Vidaver, District 5

Early Feedback

Hundreds of comments have already been submitted to the North and Near West Area Plan teams. 

Prominent feedback for the North Area so far includes:  

  • A desire for a greater variety of housing types and price points 
  • Concerns about lack of recreation space and community services to support new residents of development occurring near the former Oscar Mayer facility  
  • The need for better bus service and route access  
  • Concerns about unsafe crossings of major streets like Packers Avenue and Northport Drive 
  • A lack of safe and efficient bicycle connections 

In the Near West Area, transportation-related issues have risen to the top of the list so far, including: 

  • Unsafe crossings of many major streets in the area  
  • Requests for further traffic calming on several local streets 
  • A desire for more bicycle connectivity  
  • A need for more improvements and amenities at Vilas Park

More Information and Resources

For a summary of what area plans are, background on both areas, and topics that will be covered in the area plans, you can explore the North and Near West “Story Maps," or visit the North and Near West Area Plan websites. You can also sign up for the email list for either plan to get updates on future meetings and engagement efforts delivered directly to your inbox.

Departments:

Was this page helpful to you? * required