Week of 01/26/26: Update on Apex Proposal for Merry Street and Items of Interest
postedI recently spoke with Bruce Bobsen of Apex Property Management about his six-story apartment proposal for the four lots on Winnebago and Merry Streets. The short version is that this proposal will not be moving forward in the near term.
If you recall from my post late last year, the four lots involved have two different types of zoning between them and cannot be combined without changing that zoning. The specific type of zoning involved cannot be changed without an amendment to their land use in the Comprehensive Plan. That is an intensive process requiring a significant public input component, and city staff would rather not begin that when the next Comprehensive Plan Review and Area Plan process (mid 2028-late 2029) are just a few short years away.
Thank you to neighbors who were engaged in meetings and messaging about this proposal. Neighbor involvement is an integral part of the development process. Whether you support or oppose a given proposal, discussing it in the light of day benefits all of us.
Updates and Notices
Know Your Rights: Resources and information regarding federal immigration enforcement.
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, January 27, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include executing a cost sharing agreement for the construction of the Madison LakeWay Community Causeway Improvements.
- Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 28, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include approving plans and specifications for the Capital City Path extension.
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)
- Regent Street Reconstruction, Monday, January 26: The City is planning to reconstruct Regent Street (Randall Avenue to S. Park Street). A public information meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Jan. 26, 2026, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
Announcements and News Releases
- Don’t Miss 2026 Wisconsin Salt Week Livestreams, Videos and More: The City of Madison Engineering Division is proud to take part in Wisconsin Salt Week, Jan. 26-30, 2026, and invites the community to join in on the community educational opportunities to learn how to responsibly use salt and minimize salt use. [posted January 23, 2026]
- Statement on Law Forward Case: The City of Madison believes that all forms of voting — including absentee voting — should be encouraged, promoted and protected. That commitment to Madison voters and absentee voters in particular has been longstanding and will continue. [posted January 23, 2026]
- Application period opens for 2026 Arts Grants: The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) invites individual artists and non-profit organizations to apply for its annual grant program. [posted January 23, 2026]
- Crews Cleanup Overflow on South Side, Do Not Flush Rags, Wipes [posted January 22, 2026]
- Mayor, community partners celebrate completion of ‘missing middle’ affordable homeownership project: Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Ald. Sean O’Brien, and representatives from the Madison Area Community Land Trust celebrated the completion of new affordable homes in the Owl Creek neighborhood. [posted January 21, 2026]
- Extreme Cold Temperatures On the Way(link is external): As temperatures drop, take steps to stay warm. [posted January 21, 2026]
- Prepare Your Home for Freezing Temperatures: Frigid temperatures are a good reminder for home and business owners to make sure their water pipes are protected from freezing or bursting. [posted January 20, 2026]
- 2026 SEED Grants Cycle Now Open: The City of Madison Food Policy Council is opening the 2026 SEED Grants cycle to address food access issues in our community. [posted January 20, 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
- Groove & Glide | Olbrich, Friday, January 30: Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the stars and lights with music and games. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Groove & Glide events are free to attend and no registration is needed.
- Kiddie Basketball Clinic, Saturday, January 24 (This event occurs on multiple dates): This basketball clinic is designed for boys and girls in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Kids will learn the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, passing and game-play.
- Skate Cinema | Norm of the North, Saturday, January 31: Join us for an evening of ice skating and a movie at Skate Cinema! Bring a lawn chair and a blanket, and make it an evening to remember. This event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Ice skating is allowed while the movie is playing. Warm up by the fire pit. Bring your own skates or rent a pair from inside the staffed warming pavilion.
- Door Creek Park Ribbon Cutting & Winter Celebration, Sunday, February 1: Join City leaders, partners, and friends for a ribbon-cutting and winter celebration at Door Creek Park!
- Learn to Cross-Country Ski, Sunday, February 1: Join us for a free cross-country ski workshop at Door Creek Park, hosted by Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki)! This requires advanced registration, is free to attend and part of the Ribbon-Cutting and Winter Celebration.
- Learn to Snowshoe, Sunday, February 1: Join us for a free snowshoeing workshop at Door Creek Park, hosted by Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki)! Advanced registration is greatly appreciated. This is a free event and part of the Ribbon-Cutting and Winter Celebration.
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
Alder Davy Mayer
District 6
Contact Alder Mayer