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Madison Public Market

October 28, 2024 Update

Quarter 4 Update
Over the past several months, the team has continued work on the interior and exterior of the facility. Significant progress has been achieved on the exterior, with the completion of curb and gutter pours. Additionally, the construction of the patio and pedestrian spaces surrounding the market is well underway. The installation of the exterior curtainwall also continues.

Inside the market, the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems have been roughed in at the vendor stalls, public spaces, and back-of-house areas. Interior millwork and finishes have now commenced. We anticipate the arrival of the food service equipment within the next month, with installation to follow shortly thereafter.

View past project updates »

Project Details

  • Location

    • 202 N. First St.
      Madison, WI 53704
  • Project Type

  • Status

    Construction
  • Estimated Schedule

  • Alder District

    District 12
  • Contract Number

Project Information

Project Overview

Please visit: madisonpublicmarket.org and visit City of Madison DPCED (Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development) to view project background and quarterly reports,

Follow the Progress on our FLICKR page!

Time lapse images of the exterior are available in three views during construction.

Jan. 09, 2023 Project update: Madison Public Market is in the Bid Readying phase. Project contributors are completing all necessary technical documentation and entitlements to proceed with Bid Advertisement of the Public Market – see Project Schedule below for more information on milestone Bid & Construction dates.

Project Schedule

City User Agency: Economic Development Division
Design and Planning: March 2019 through June 2021

1st Advertisement of Bid: July 20, 2023 available only on Bid Express
Bid Talk via Zoom: Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. 
August 03, 2023 Bid Talk: Madison Public Market Recording
August 03, 2023 Bid Talk: Madison Public Market Power Point Presentation
Contractor Pre-Bid Site Visit: Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 1:00-2:30 & Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 1:00-2:30, at the project site, 202 N. First St., Madison, WI
Bid Due Date: Sept. 14, 2023  The project received (3) bids. Please click HERE for the bid tab summary.
Construction Start Date: November 2023
Expected Completion Date: January 2025
"All information regarding dates/times/locations are informational and should be verified with official bidding documents posted on Bid Express."

Public Involvement

There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:

Public Information Meetings

Sept. 05, 2019 Public Information Meeting on the Public Market 9/5/2019 (1:30:11)
Sept. 05, 2019 View the Sept. 05 project presentation

May 08, 2019 A public event was held at the future home of the Madison Public Market, currently the home of City Fleet Services at the corner of E. Johnson and First Street. View the May 08 project presentation boards.

City Process Meetings

March 19, 2024 Common Council File #82280
March 06, 2024 Board of Public Works File #82280
Authorizing a noncompetitive contract for Purchase of Services (Architect) with Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd to complete professional architectural and engineering design, construction administration, and warranty services for the construction of the Madison Public Market.

Oct. 17, 2023 Common Council File #80106
Oct. 09, 2023 Finance Committee File #80106
Oct. 05, 2023 Public Market Development Committee File #80106
Oct. 04, 2023 Board of Public Works File #80106
PLEASE NOTE: There are two versions of resolution #80106: Amending the 2023 Adopted Capital Budget of the Economic Development Division and Awarding Public Works Contract No. 8595, Madison Public Market

June 20, 2023 Common Council File #78073
June 07, 2023 Board of Public Works File #78073
Approving plans and specifications and authorizing the Board of Public Works to advertise and receive bids for Madison Public Market.

March 13, 2020 File#59387
Rezone 202 North First Street

February 05, 2019 File #54211
Enter into a contract for Purchase of Services (Architect) with Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd. to provide professional architectural and engineering design services and construction administration services for the design and construction of the Madison Public Market.

July 23, 2018
The City seeks RFP's for Architect and Engineering Services for Madison Public Market. For complete details, please visit the City’s Public Works Requests for Proposal/Quotes/Bids

In the News

Oct. 17, 2024 The Cap Times
Greetings! Madison Public Market art projects take shape

Sept. 20, 2024 WKOW.com
Madison Public Market on track to open in July 2025

Nov. 27, 2023 City of Madison News Conference
Madison Public Market Groundbreaking: ‘A Place Where Dreams Come True.’

Nov. 27, 2023 WORTfm.org
Madison Public Market Breaks Ground

Nov. 27, 2023 NBC15.com
Madison Public Market groundbreaking marks next step for the project

Nov. 27, 2023 WKOW.com
Madison Public Market breaks ground after several funding hurdles

Nov. 27, 2023 Fox47.com
City officials break ground on long-awaited Madison Public Market

Nov. 17, 2023 Channel 3000
City to break ground on Madison Public Market by end of the month

Oct. 20, 2023 NBC 15
Dane Co. to chip in a million dollars more for Madison Public Market

Oct. 20, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
With $1M, Dane County Board brings Madison Public Market across the finish line

Oct. 19, 2023 WKOW.com
Dane County Board votes to increase funding for Madison Public Market by $1 million

Oct. 19, 2023 Channel 3000
Dane County Board approves additional $1M in funding for Madison Public Market

Oct. 19, 2023 Fox 47.com
Dane County Board approves additional $1M in funding for Madison Public Market

Oct. 19, 2023 NBC 15
Officials: Madison Public market back on track

Oct. 18, 2023 The Cap Times
Madison Public Market gets another life preserver from city

Oct. 18, 2023 Isthmus
Budget boost will allow Madison Public Market to break ground this year

Oct. 18, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison City Council approves last-ditch effort to save Public Market

Oct. 17, 2023 Channel 3000
Council approves additional $1.6 million in funding for Madison Public Market

Oct. 17, 2023 WKOW.com
In do-or-die vote for the Madison Public Market, city alders approve more funding

Oct. 10, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal

Fate of Madison Public Market now goes to City Council after Finance Committee approval

Oct. 07, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Cheaper alternative plan proposed to keep Madison Public Market on track

Oct. 06, 2023 WKOW.com
'Now we actually have a bid': City officials say Madison Public Market should have secured all funding needed to start building

Oct. 2, 2023 WKOW.com

Dane County committee recommends another $1M for Madison Public Market, alders proposing more city funding, too

Sept. 28, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
City Council members seek $3.3 million more to keep Public Market on track

Sept. 28, 2023 The Cap Times
Madison Public Market funding proposal increases by $3.3 million

Sept. 19, 2023 The Cap Times
Madison Public Market: Alder looks to close latest funding gap

Sept. 19, 2023 Channel 3000
Despite budget challenge, vendor still has hope for Madison Public Market

Sept. 19, 2023 Channel 3000
Madison Public Market in jeopardy after construction bids exceed budget

Sept. 19, 2023 NBC 15
Madison Public Market construction bids are much higher than planned, city says

Sept. 19, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
High construction bids threaten Madison Public Market

Sept. 18, 2023 WKOW.com
Bids for Madison Public Market come in over budget

Sept. 13, 2023 The Cap Times
Madison Public Market rides a 'roller coaster' to opening

Sept. 12, 2023 Channel 3000
Community gets inside look at future Madison Public Market space

Sept. 12, 2023 WKOW.com
Hopeful vendors excited as Madison's long-proposed public market gets closer to becoming a reality

Sept. 12, 2023 Channel 3000
In the 608: Madison Public Market Open House

Sept. 12, 2023 NBC 15
Public invited to check out progress of Madison Public Market

Sept. 11, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Public market moving forward at last

Sept. 9, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison can get a look inside the future Public Market Tuesday

August 28, 2023 City of Madison News Release
Public Invited to Next Madison Public Market Open House

August 24, 2023 Madison Public Market Foundation
You're Invited to the Ready! Set! Market! Open House on Sept. 12!

August 03, 2023 The Cap Times
Sneak peek inside the future Madison Public Market

July 26, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
It's happening: Delayed Public Market wins key vote by Madison City Council

July 06, 2023 WKOW.com
Madison's Public Market plan headed to the finance committee for approval

June 30, 2023 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison Public Market could open in spring 2025 as plans move forward

June 28, 2023 Channel 3000
33 development projects coming to Madison's skyline

May 05, 2023 The Cap Times
Madison Public Market to break ground this fall, open in 2025

May 02, 2023 Madison Public Market Foundation
Madison's first public market is becoming a reality!

April 28, 2023 WKOW.com
What's old is new again: Uncovering an old Madison public market ahead of new construction

March 05, 2023 WKOW.com
Funding for Madison Public Market Secured

Feb. 28, 2023 NBC15
$1.5 million donation to Madison Public Market helps meet project fundraising goal

Feb. 25, 2023 Channel 3000
$1.5M donation pushes Madison Public Market closer to reality

Feb. 25, 2023 The Cap Times
Madison Public Market hits funding goal, set to open in 2025

Nov. 17, 2022 Wisconsin State Journal
City Council approves $4.5 million more for Madison Public Market, boosts council pay

Nov. 17, 2022 Channel 3000
Madison Public Market project still alive after council approves TIF district funding as part of budget

Nov. 17, 2022 NBC15
Madison Public Market project to move forward

Nov 16, 2022 The Cap Times
City Council adds $4.5 million to Madison Public Market

Nov. 04, 2022 The Cap Times
New city amendment proposes $6 million for Madison Public Market

Nov. 03, 2022 The Daily Cardinal
The Madison Public Market faces yet another financial setback

Nov. 02, 2022 The Cap Times
County proposal could help close public market funding gap

Oct. 26, 2022 Wis State Journal
Madison, Dane County proposals would close $5.2 million funding gap for Public Market

Sept. 29, 2022 WKOW.com
Madison Public Market all but scrapped, as officials make one last plea to alders for funding

Sept. 14, 2022 Wis State Journal
Finance Committee offers mixed signals on closing funding gap for Madison Public Market

Sept. 09, 2022 Isthmus
Do we really need a public market?

Sept. 02, 2022 The Cap Times
What went wrong with the Madison Public Market

Sept. 01, 2022 WKOW.com
Madison Public Market leaders now asking city to front $5.2 million budget deficit in project

Sept. 01, 2022 WORTfm.org
Public Market Project Struggles With Swelling Budget

Sept. 01, 2022 Madison.com
Madison Public Market delayed; funding setback threatens project

Sept. 01, 2022 Channel 3000
Surging construction costs place Madison Public Market budget $5.2 million short

March 10, 2020: Madison.com "The Madsplainers" Podcast
The Madsplainers podcast: What's up with the Madison Public Market?

March 04, 2020: The Cap Times
SSM Health clinic, Judge Doyle Square apartments, public market moving forward

February 25, 2020: The Cap Times
Madison Public Market project moves forward with Plan Commission support

February 19, 2020: Madison's Everyday Engineering Podcast (All Episodes available HERE!)
Episode 14: Closer to the Madison Public Market Experience

December 14, 2019 NBC.15
Future Madison Public Market acts as Holiday Market

Sept. 06, 2019 The Cap Times
City unveils detailed Madison Public Market designs        

Sept. 06, 2019 Channel 3000
Madison Public Market Board considers community's opinion on designs for forthcoming market

Sept. 05, 2019 NBC.15
Madison releases renderings for new Public Market

Sept. 05 2019 Channel 3000
New look at upcoming public market

Sept. 05, 2019 Wisconsin State Journal
City to show off more detailed renderings of Madison Public Market, ask for feedback   

Sept. 05, 2019 WKOW
City unveils design for Madison Public Market

August 27, 2019 City of Madison News
New design details to be shared at Sept. 5 Public Market meeting

July 18, 2019 Isthmus
"There better be beer!"

May 09, 2019 Wisconsin State Journal
Preview of Madison Public Market offers taste of what's to come in 2021

May 07, 2019 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison offers peek at Public Market

April 30, 2019 City of Madison Press Release
Public Market sneak peek open house set for May 8

Dec. 01, 2018 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison shifts site for Public Market    

June 29, 2018 Wisconsin State Journal
Madison Public Market site plan gets a makeover, including a potential hotel

Sept. 24, 2017  Wisconsin State Journal
From momos to children's books, cultural diversity at heart of Madison Public Market

Project Updates

October 28, 2024 Update

Quarter 4 Update
Over the past several months, the team has continued work on the interior and exterior of the facility. Significant progress has been achieved on the exterior, with the completion of curb and gutter pours. Additionally, the construction of the patio and pedestrian spaces surrounding the market is well underway. The installation of the exterior curtainwall also continues.

Inside the market, the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems have been roughed in at the vendor stalls, public spaces, and back-of-house areas. Interior millwork and finishes have now commenced. We anticipate the arrival of the food service equipment within the next month, with installation to follow shortly thereafter.

October 18, 2024 Update

In the News
Oct. 17, 2024 The Cap Times
Greetings! Madison Public Market art projects take shape

October 16, 2024 Update

Take a glimpse inside of the Madison Public Market with City of Madison Engineering - Facilities Management's Project Manager Brent Pauba in this City of Madison, Wis. Project Profile: Madison Public Market Walk and Talk

September 23, 2024 Update

In the News
Sept. 20, 2024 WKOW.com
Madison Public Market on track to open in July 2025

August 26, 2024 Update

Mid Quarter 3 Update
Madison Public Market is well underway construction, with about 50% of the work complete. Work has focused on sub-grade utilities and interior improvements to date. As we enter the Fall months, Contractors will complete exterior improvements around the facility and continue finish work inside the building.

May 10, 2024 Update

Exterior site improvements have begun.  Rain water retention in the parking area is being constructed in addition to site utility work.  Time lapse images of the exterior are available in three views during construction.

Interior work continues with the masons and framers beginning to construct walls and plumbing and electrical rough-ins are in process.  View the progress photos on the Madison Public Market Flickr page.

March 4, 2024 Update

This project will be presented to the Board of Public Works on March 6, 2024 and Common Council on March 19, 2024. Legistar #82280 Authorizing a noncompetitive contract for Purchase of Services (Architect) with Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd to complete professional architectural and engineering design, construction administration, and warranty services for the construction of the Madison Public Market.

January 29, 2024 Update

The Public Market is in the Construction phase. The Construction team has completed building decommissioning and is wrapping up selective demolition throughout the facility. Sub slab utilities have been installed and new construction work on the inside of the facility will begin in the next several weeks. Exterior improvements are scheduled to begin in late Spring 2024. 

November 28, 2023 Update
November 20, 2023 Update
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