Meet and Greet County Supervisor Andrae; UDC final approval for University and Meadow development; Lots of summer events

Hello neighbors,

As we face significant uncertainty from the federal government, I wanted to share with you this analysis of impacts of federal funding changes to local municipalities. While written from the perspective of counties, it’s quite relevant to cities as well.

And on the note of counties, Dane County Board Supervisor Andrae, who represents a portion of our city district, is holding a meet and greet:

What: Meet & Greet with Dane County Board Supervisor Richelle Andrae and Casey Becker, Division Administrator, Housing Access & Affordability Division, Dane County

When: Tuesday, August 5, 5PM - 7PM

Where: Home of Susan Schmitz & Gary Peterson at 210 Marinette Trail

More details: Your neighbors Susan and Gary are hosting an informal Meet & Greet to connect with our local County Board representative, Richelle Andrae, to learn about timely county issues including the annual budget and large projects, and engage in conversation. Casey Becker will also be joining from 5-6PM to share details about county housing initiatives. Please join us - all in the neighborhood are welcome!

Note that this is an official business event; no campaign or political activity will be conducted whatsoever. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Dress appropriately for mingling outside (weather permitting) and if possible BYO chair if you'd like to sit in the yard to chat.

RSVP appreciated but not required: https://forms.gle/wmVvzY2DZtgqmwYU9

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.

• Urban Design Commission: Wednesday, July 30, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include final approval of the development at 3535-3553 University Avenue + 733-737 N Meadow Lane - New Mixed-Use Building in Urban Design District (UDD) 6. (District 5). Note that the only considerations at this meeting are final approval of the items originally identified by the Commission for re-evaluation.

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 - Midtown Commons Park, Tuesday, July 29: The community is invited to a virtual public meeting to help guide the future of Midtown Commons Park, located at 1310 Waldorf Blvd. Midtown Commons Park is expanding to include ~8.2 acres of additional park green space. Community members are invited to review existing park uses and provide their thoughts on desired park amenities in the expansion area.
• Public Input Meeting - Kenneth Newville Park, Thursday, July 31: Newville Park neighbors are invited to the park for a community input meeting on Thursday, July 31, starting at 6:00pm. Parks staff will be sharing potential amenities and layout options for a new development plan for Kenneth Newville Park. We’re seeking community feedback to help prioritize features and ensure the plan reflects local needs and preferences.

Announcements and News Releases

• MPD recognizes National Deflection Week: The Madison Police Department is pleased to announce its involvement in National Deflection Week and the efforts being done to help those experiencing substance use disorders in the community.
• August Moving Days: Your Time Starts Now: The annual August Moving Days for downtown Madison will soon get underway. Thousands of Madisonians will be changing homes within the moving days area during the first few weeks of August.
• Ribbon Cutting Set for the Jeff Erlanger Sprayground at Rennebohm Park: Neighbors and community members are invited to join the Madison Parks Foundation and City leaders in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:00pm on Tuesday, July 29, for the new sprayground at Rennebohm Park, 115 North Eau Claire Avenue.

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

• Barre 3 at The Glen, Tuesday, July 29, 7-8pm. Join local Barre3 instructors as they bring the class outdoors to the neighborhood. Please register in advance.
• Screening of the documentary Bad River, Tuesday, July 29, 6:30-8:30pm, Sequoya library.
• Concerts on the Square, Wednesday, July 30, 7-9pm. The 2025 Concerts on the Square season draws to a powerful close with Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F, featuring the Madison debut of rising star pianist Sylvia Jiang.
• Join the Urban League for a Fireside Chat with Segashus Livingston, Thursday, July 31, 5:30-7:30pm, The HUB, 2352 S. Park St., 4th floor.
• Live at The Glen, Friday, August 1, 5:30-7pm. Enjoy live music on the patio at The Glen Golf Park with Angela Puerta, a Colombian singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Madison, Wisconsin.
• Dane Dances, Friday, August 1, 6-9:30pm. Sangamam will take the stage from 6-7:30pm, followed by VO5 from 8-9:30pm.
• Sunset Village Neighborhood Association Ice Cream Social, Saturday, August 2, 1-4pm, Lucia Crest Park
• "Pontoon Nature Tour" Bird and Nature Adventure at Tenney Pontoon Pier with Diane Schwartz & Robin Kling, Saturday August 2, 1:30pm
• The 30th Annual Virginia and Perry Hendersen Back to School Event, Saturday, August 2, 8-11am, Truax Campus of Madison College, 1750 Wright St. All Dane County elementary, middle, and high school students of limited income families and their parents are invited to participate in this event. All students must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian to receive a new backpack with school supplies. All backpacks available until materials are exhausted. Limit one backpack per student.
• "Wildflower Wander" Bird and Nature Adventure at Cherokee Marsh with Mary Binkley & Sheila Leary, Sunday August 3, 1:30pm
• National Night Out – August 5, 5-8pm, Westmoreland Park
• Live at Lake Vista, Wednesday, August 5, 4:30-6pm. Louka Patenaude is a veteran of the Madison music scene and is a performing guitarist, teacher, songwriter and composer. His music is grounded in acoustic roots with influences from jazz, classical and old world Mediterranean traditional music. An award-winning musician, Louka’s performed on stage with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and many notable jazz artists.
• 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.

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

Take care,

Regina Vidaver