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Week of September 15, 2025

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Dear Neighbors,

Last week I covered a number of things happening in District 7 and across Madison, including ongoing street planning, budget discussions, and community events. Building on that, I want to highlight a few items that I’ve been especially focused on lately, including a major initiative I’m proud to have prime-sponsored, and upcoming District 7 priorities.

Housing Forward: Progress & Next Steps

One of the major priorities I’ve been working on is the Housing Forward initiative, and I’m grateful to have been the prime sponsor of several proposals in the Fall 2025 Housing Forward package. The initiative is designed to expand housing opportunities, reduce displacement, and ensure sustainability and affordability for folks throughout Madison. You can watch the City’s press release and public discussion of the proposals here: Media City of Madison press release. The full package of Fall 2025 Housing Forward proposals is posted on the City’s website here: Fall 2025 Housing Forward Proposals.

Among the measures I’ve supported are:

  • Backlot/Flag Lot Development – Encouraging more flexible use of residential backlots to create additional housing units.
  • Reduction in Minimum Area and Width Requirements – Making it easier for smaller infill lots to be developed.
  • Alley Garage Lots – Expanding opportunities for residential units above or near garages accessed from alleys.

These initiatives aim to increase housing availability while protecting neighborhood character and providing more affordable housing options. I’m optimistic these proposals will help the City meet its goal of providing more housing choices while protecting long-time residents and neighborhoods from displacement pressures.

As Housing Forward moves through the City Council and committee process, I’ll share updates on where things stand and how District 7 residents can engage. If you have ideas or concerns, I want to hear them, please feel free to reach out.

Housing Forward Press Meet
Image credit: City of Madison

Westside Alders: Meet & Greet — A Great Evening of Conversation

On Wednesday, September 10, I attended the Faces of Our Westside Districts: Meet and Greet Edition 2025 event at Vel Phillips Memorial High School. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with residents, community leaders, and fellow west-side alders. The turnout was strong, and the conversations spanned topics from traffic safety and housing to neighborhood planning and school investments. You can read more about the event and view highlights here: Faces of Our Westside Districts Meet & Greet.

I want to thank everyone who came out and shared their perspectives. Events like this are an invaluable way for me to hear directly from the people I represent and to bring those voices back into City Hall.

I'll be starting the Lunch & Learn sessions for District 7 residents shortly, please keep an eye out for future announcements on how to be more involved.

Saturday Training Retreat: Deep Dive on Council Strategy

This past Saturday I participated in a Council retreat and strategy session focused on improving coordination, legislative priorities, and community engagement. The full retreat agenda and flyer can be found in the City’s meeting documents: Council Retreat Agenda + Flyer.

We spent the day diving deep into the City’s policy goals, especially those that cut across housing, transportation, public safety, and sustainability, and discussed ways to improve transparency, outreach, and Council communications.

MMSD Budget Discussion

On Thursday, September 11, I attended the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Commission meeting, where budget planning was a key topic of discussion. As always, these discussions have a direct impact on the utility services and infrastructure that serve District 7 residents and businesses. The meeting agenda can be viewed here: MMSD September 11 Meeting Agenda.

Busy Week Ahead

This week is shaping up to be a busy one with several important committee and council meetings:

  • Monday, September 15 – Plan Commission – 5:30 p.m., virtual. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 2, 12, 18, and 20.
  • Monday, September 15 – Regent Street Reconstruction Public Information Meeting – 6:30 p.m., Zoom. Registration required.
  • Monday, September 15 – Sustainable Madison Committee Meeting – 4:30 p.m., Meeting Agenda Zoom. Registration required.
  • Tuesday, September 16 – Common Council Executive Committee (CCEC) and Common Council Meeting – 6:30 p.m., virtual. Agenda highlights include extending the supportive services contract with MACH OneHealth through April 2026 for work at Dairy Drive campground.
  • Wednesday, September 17 – Board of Public Works – 4:30 p.m., virtual. Agenda items include construction management in Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 17.

Farmers’ Markets

Find the locations and schedules for farmers’ markets near you! Fresh produce, local goods, and more are available throughout Madison.

Announcements and News Releases

  • Intersection Closure — Bedford Street/W Dayton Street and Marion Street/W Dayton Street: Starting Monday, September 15, intersections will close for asphalt art traffic calming.
  • Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement: Project start postponed to limit path closures.
  • Asphalt Art to Improve Safety on Dayton Street: W Dayton Street intersections will receive artistic safety improvements.
  • Madison Housing Initiatives: City continues efforts to create more housing with another round of proposals.
  • Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement Project: Storm sewer work began Monday, September 8.
  • Octavia Ikard named next Madison Youth Poet Laureate: Reception and poetry reading announced.
  • Well 15 PFAS Treatment Facility Recommissioned: Madison Water Utility back in service.
  • Fall Leaves and Yard Waste Collection Begins in October 2025

For additional news, visit the City news webpage and subscribe to notifications.

Events

  • Tuesday, September 16 – Learn to Nordic Walk, Youth Poet Laureate Reception, Homebuyer Education Course Part 1, Menstrual Inequity Period Party
  • Wednesday, September 17 – FREE Fall Fun at Aldo Leopold Park, FOOT‑Loose Dances
  • Friday, September 19 – Volunteer Planting – Olbrich Park
  • Saturday, September 20 – Mobile Vaccination Clinic – Orchard Ridge Elementary, Trucks & Treasures, Period Party: A Menstruation Celebration
  • Sunday, September 21 – Yahara East – The Final Farewell | Madison Golf Events, Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Movie at The Glen | Trolls Band Together

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

Looking Ahead: Madison Night Market

I’m also looking forward to connecting with more neighbors at the Madison Night Market on Thursday, September 18. This is always a lively event that showcases our city’s small businesses, artists, and local food, and it’s a great opportunity for casual conversations with constituents. If you’re there, please stop by and say hello!

Thank You

Thank you to the neighbors, community organizers, and City staff who’ve been working with me on all of these fronts. Your time, insights, and advocacy are what make this work possible and more importantly, effective. If you haven’t yet engaged with me on Housing Forward, traffic safety, or neighborhood planning, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your experiences and ideas are essential as we think about Madison’s future and how to make sure it works for families in District 7.

Regards
Badri Lankella
Alder - District 7

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of September 15, 2025

Updates and Notices

Farmers' Markets: Find the locations and schedules for farmers' markets near you!

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.

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)

Announcements and News Releases

  • Intersection Closure — Bedford Street/W Dayton Street and Marion Street/W Dayton Street: Starting Monday, September 15th, City of Madison Traffic Engineering will close the intersections of W. Dayton Street/Bedford Street and W. Dayton Street/Marion Street to complete an asphalt art traffic calming project within these intersections… [posted September 11, 2025]
  • Project Update: Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement: Contractors are postponing the start of the Capital City Trail Storm Sewer project and path closure in an effort to limit path closures as additional planning for path clearing and signing are being developed. Work is now anticipated to begin on… [posted September 10, 2025]
  • Asphalt Art to Improve Safety on Dayton Street: The intersections of W Dayton Street/N Bedford Street, W Dayton Street/Marion Street, and W Dayton Street/N Frances Street are about to receive an artistic makeover as part of a City of Madison project to assess the ability of asphalt art to improve… [posted September 10, 2025]
  • Madison Unveils Latest Efforts to Create More Housing : The City of Madison is continuing its efforts to create more housing with another round of initiatives. Today, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, members of the Common Council, and community groups including… [posted September 9, 2025]
  • Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement Project: Storm sewer work will begin Monday, September 8th closing the Capital City Trail Path, from S Blount Street to Brearly Street. Bicyclists and Pedestrians will be detoured to E Main Street for the duration of the project. Temporary removal of parking… [posted September 8, 2025]
  • Octavia Ikard named next Madison Youth Poet Laureate: Madison Poet Laureate Steven Espada Dawson and the Madison Arts Commission are inviting the public to the opening reception and poetry reading for the City of Madison’s new Youth Poet Laureate, Octavia Ikard. [posted September 8, 2025]
  • City of Madison Celebrates the Recommissioning of Well 15, New PFAS Treatment Facility: Madison Water Utility’s drinking water well that was contaminated by PFAS is put back into service – Well 15 on Madison’s northeast side. [posted September 8, 2025]
  • Fall Leaves and Yard Waste Collection Begins in October 2025: The fall yard waste and leaves collection of 2025 begins in October. You will receive three guaranteed curbside set-out opportunities for leaf and yard waste pickup this fall. The exact dates when you should set out your leaves will depend on… [posted September 8, 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

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

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District 7 - Alder Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

Alder Badri Lankella

District 7
Contact Alder Lankella

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