Public Engagement

John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Public Involvement Plan PDF

Public engagement is a central element to the planning process. The public engagement strategy developed for this project is one that is comprehensive, inclusive, and engaging. It will provide opportunities for community stakeholders to provide input, learn about the project as it progresses, evaluate alternatives and be part of the design development.

The City of Madison will seek input on key issues, such as:

• Existing concerns or issues that need to be addressed associated with the multiuse path, shoreline, and access and accessibility
• Identified community needs and necessary modifications to increase overall functionality for all people and all modes of transportation
• Shoreline modifications to mitigate runoff and address existing water recreation barriers
• Streetscaping improvements, including street trees and traffic signals
• Feasibility of additional passive recreation or social gathering areas along the causeway
• Wayfinding improvements: directional guidance and location context/information
• Storm sewer improvements

Which improvements should be prioritized? Please help us understand by providing input at JNDproject@cityofmadison.com

Public Engagement Process

The public involvement process will be organized in four phases:

Phase One: Existing Conditions
Phase Two: Develop Alternatives
Phase Three: Selection of Preferred Alternative
Phase Four: Final Design and Plan Development

Each phase will engage the public with the following tools:

Public Information Meetings

The project team will organize and facilitate five public meetings as part of the John Nolen Drive Reconstruction project, between 2021 and 2026 (approximately one per year).

• Public Information Meeting No. 1 – Existing Conditions (Project Kickoff)
  • Fall 2021
  • Introduce the John Nolen Drive Reconstruction Project, including potential outcomes, goals, opportunities, and “what we know so far” based on site analysis and small group meetings conducted prior to the meeting.
  • Oct. 4, 2021 Public Information Meeting Recording
  • Oct. 4, 2021 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation PDF pdf
• Public Information Meeting No. 2 – Preliminary Design Concepts and Alternatives
  • Winter 2023
  • Introduce preliminary design concepts and alternatives, as well as continue to build broad community awareness about the project. Input received at the meeting will help the project team anticipate challenges and potential solutions, as well as inform refinements to preliminary design concepts.
  • Thank you to everyone who attended the virtual Feb. 23, 2023 Public Information Meeting.
    Feb. 23, 2023 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint PDF pdf

Feb. 23, 2023 Public Information Meeting Recording

Meeting Materials to Review:
Broom Street Intersection Alternatives PDF pdf
Pathway Typical Sections PDF pdf
Roadway Typical Sections PDF pdf
Corridor Crash Summary PDF pdf
Corridor Roll Plot PDF pdf
North Shore Drive Intersection Alternatives PDF pdf
Structure Alternatives PDF pdf

• Public Information Meeting No. 3 – Draft Final Design Concepts
  • Winter 2023/Spring 2024
  • Present and discuss designs for John Nolen Drive, including a walk-through of the draft final design.
• Public Information Meeting No. 4 – Final Design / Pre-Construction Information
  • Winter 2024
  • Present the final project designs and share information about the upcoming construction schedule, anticipated impacts, and identified alternate routes. The meeting will include an open house, allowing meeting participants to view plans in a gallery format and speak to project team members.

Small Work Groups

During Phase One of the project, the project team organized multiple small group meetings with various community members, businesses, and civic leaders to ensure representation from diverse constituencies such as BIPOC, lower-income individuals, people living with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups in planning processes. These meetings were coordinated with grassroots networks and analyzed with an equity lens.
 

In Phase Two, we continued to conduct coordinated meetings with an equity lens and held focus groups to include community members who perhaps were unable to participate in Phase One. We worked closely with YWCA Madison, whose staff members use John Nolen Drive with various modes of transportation. Additionally, our EQT Ambassador organized two focus group sessions, which informed 155 BIPOC members about the design alternatives and actively engaged with 25 of them.

Focus Group Summary Report

Community Surveys

The first survey was conducted in the fall of 2021 and received over 1,800 responses. The survey focused on gathering input on the community’s priorities for the reconstruction of John Nolen Drive.
Survey No. 1 Results Analysis
Survey No. 2 Results Analysis

The second survey was conducted in the spring of 2023 and received over 500 responses. The second survey focused on gathering input on the proposed alternatives for the road, bridges, bike path, and intersections.

Tabling at Events & Intercept Interviews

The project team tabled and conducted intercept interviews at multiple community events and locations throughout the summer and fall of 2021. The project team tabled at the Dane County Farmer’s Market, Mad Ski Team, and the Madison Night Market. Intercept interviews were conducted along the John Nolen Bike Path, Maxwell Street Days, two Mad Lit events, and around the Capitol Square.