City budget, Development Updates, Public Information Meetings, News & Events

Hello neighbors,

Recently I attended a conference in which the difference between misinformation and disinformation was described:

• Misinformation is false or inaccurate information—getting the facts wrong.
• Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead—intentionally misstating the facts.

I have seen both misinformation and disinformation regarding the City’s budget, and I want to do what I can to dispel both. There are multiple, accurate sources of information, which I would like to draw your attention to. I encourage you to read these thoroughly, even though they take some time to absorb:

• Madison by the numbers
• City budget outlook (includes map of other areas with referenda past or future)
• Alder Field's July 21 blog

The City’s budget is a serious matter. The impact of the state’s lack of investment in our municipalities and schools is being felt across our cities, villages, and towns. We have limited options for ensuring that residents’ basic needs are met. If we can’t raise revenues, we will have service cuts, and those will be felt most by those who have the least. I sincerely hope you will keep that in mind as you study the issue.

Development updates:

Two items before the Plan Commission on Monday July 29 at 5:30pm are in our district:

• Redevelopment of the McClain Athletic Complex and Randall Sports Center
  • Demolition permit
  • Rezoning
• 3535-3553 University Avenue
  • Demolition permit
  • Rezoning
  • Conditional Use

Public Information Meetings

• Metro Public Hearing Scheduled, Wednesday, July 31: On Wednesday, July 31, Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 PM to review and discuss proposed new service to Monona as well as Metro’s updated Service Equity Analysis.
• I-39/90/94 Corridor Study:
  • The virtual public hearing will be held Monday, July 29, 2024, via PIMA/YouTube Live at www.tinyurl.com/InterstateVirtualPH. If interested parties do not have internet access, they may call (608) 571- 2209 and enter Conference ID: 588 603 889# to listen to the virtual public hearing. The virtual public hearing will begin at 5 p.m. and will end when all interested persons have provided testimony or 7 p.m., whichever occurs first.
  • The Madison in-person public hearing session will be held Tuesday, July 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Madison College Truax Building, Conference Room D1630, 1701 Wright St., Madison, WI 53704.

News & Announcements

• Lane Closures -- King, Wilson and Butler Street Intersection: Starting Friday, July 26, R.G Huston will be performing underground utility work within the King St, Wilson St, and Butler St intersection.
• West Dayton Street Westbound Traffic Lane Reopens : The westbound traffic lane of West Dayton Street, which had been closed since October of 2023 for a UW steam tunnel project at the Park Street intersection, is now reopened.
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Cases Rising in Dane County: Public Health Madison & Dane County is alerting the community about an outbreak of pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
• Madison Celebrates Installation of First Air Quality Monitor: The City’s air quality monitoring network will measure particulate matter concentrations in neighborhoods throughout the City. This project is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Vel Phillips sculpture unveiled at Wisconsin State Capitol.

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

• In-Person Absentee Voting Begins, Tuesday, July 30: Absentee voting sites begin opening today. Check our In-Person Absentee Voting website for locations and hours. The last day to vote absentee in person will be Sunday, August 11.
• Lunch Time LIVE! 7/30: Old Oaks, Tuesday, July 30: On Tuesdays - June through August - a FREE outdoor concert series will take place from noon-1pm on the King Street walkway of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Chairs will be available, and blankets and lawn chairs are welcome on the lawn nearby. And don't forget to grab 'to-go' lunch at dozens of downtown restaurants.
• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, July 31: The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October.
• Sunset Village Community Association Ice Cream Social, August 3, 1-4pm, Lucia Crest Park.

Parks Alive Dates!

Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Events start at 5:00 p.m.

• Parks Alive at Elver Park on Monday, July 29
• Parks Alive at Worthington Park, Tuesday, July 30
• Parks Alive at Warner Park, Wednesday, July 31
• Parks Alive at Owl Creek Park, Thursday, August 1

Please find additional upcoming City of Madison Parks events listed on the City parks event calendar.

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

• Save the date: Madison’s Black Restaurant Week will be August 11-18.

Take care,

Regina Vidaver