Midvale resurfacing update; Proposed changes to ordinances; Meetings, announcements, and events

Hello neighbors,

I want to thank everyone who took the time to share your questions, concerns, and ideas with me, Alder Tishler, and city staff at the meeting on the Midvale Blvd resurfacing and safety updates project this past Thursday. As a result of all the feedback, the project has been pushed back a bit, and is now scheduled to head to the Transportation Commission on February 19. Please stay tuned for updates!

I also want to acknowledge that there is confusion about some of the ordinance changes proposed regarding demolition proposals. The intent of the changes is to make it such that when the Landmarks Commission finds a property does not have historic value, that decision can be final, and staff can administratively approve the demolition, rather than forcing the item to go to Plan Commission. There’s also confusion about this part:

41.28 (1) (c)

2) “Category C Demolitions: denotes that the Landmarks Commission finds that the building has no known historic value. This category may also denote sites or properties that have historic value, and the significance will not be negatively impacted by the removal of the building itself.”

The italicized part refers to sites where the building itself is not historic, but there may be archeological findings or burial sites from indigenous peoples. These sites require a “Request to Disturb” from the Wisconsin Historical Society to ensure that the property owner complies with State Burial Law.

The Vilas Neighborhood has arranged for a Zoom presentation on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. by city staff, including the Planning Director, Zoning Administrator and Preservation Planner. Anyone with an interest in these issues is welcome to join the Zoom call. There is a staff memo summarizing the proposal.

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.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, February 3, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a presentation of the Finance Department’s 2025 internal audit plan.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, February 3, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include accepting a Comprehensive Plan progress update report, as well as development-related requests in District 9 and District 16.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Urban Design Commission: The Urban Design Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 5, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include amending the report of the Lamp House Block Ad Hoc Plan Committee.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

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 (PIM’s)

• Block 113 (Brayton Lot) redevelopment draft RFP public meeting, Monday, February 3: The City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development will be holding a virtual public meeting from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Monday, February 3, 2025 to outline a first draft for a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop Block 113 – formerly known as the Brayton Lot – in downtown Madison.
• Public Input Meeting - Sandburg Park, Thursday, February 6: Madison Parks is replacing five existing playgrounds in 2025. On Dec. 5, a virtual playground workshop was held for all five playgrounds, including the playground in Sandburg Park, 2818 Independence Lane. Parks staff presented an overview of the playground replacement program and asked for input on design decisions during break-out sessions specific to each park location.

Announcements and News Releases

• Applications now open for 2025 Arts Grants: The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) is inviting individual artists and non-profit organizations to apply for its annual grant program.
• Early Ridership Numbers : Overall, ridership is up systemwide by 10 percent since the launch of the Bus Rapid Transit. The Rapid A Route is up nearly 20 percent over ridership numbers in 2023.
• CARES Program Expands Service to Sun Prairie Starting in February: The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce the expansion of services from the Madison Fire Department’s Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) Program to the community, beginning Monday, February 3. This expansion is made possible through an agreement between the City of Sun Prairie, the City of Madison, and Dane County.
• Statement from Mayor Rhodes-Conway on Federal Funding Directive :  The directive from the federal Office of Management and Budget has the potential to impact tens of millions of dollars in services for the residents of Madison.
• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Award in Public Discourse Winner is Madelyn Leopold :  Award Winner and Nominator Have Designated Local Non-Profit to Receive Monetary Contributions.

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, February 4: Early voting (in-person absentee) begins Tuesday for the February 18 Spring Primary. Check our website for locations and hours.
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic – Elver Park Neighborhood Center, Thursday, February 6: We're hosting a mobile vaccination clinic at Elver Park Neighborhood Center!
• Learn to Cross-Country Ski, Thursday, February 6: Join us for a free cross-country ski workshop at Elver Park, hosted by Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki)! Open to all ages, you'll learn the basics and practice your skills while exploring the park. Limited to 30 participants. Advanced registration is required and may be done online or by calling 608-266-4711.
• Groove & Glide, Friday, February 7: Make the most of winter at a Groove and Glide event! Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the lights with fun music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Grab your friends, a date, or family, and have fun on the ice. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, February 8: Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks and the Friends of Owen Conservation Park. Free, family-friendly guided nature walks at Owen Conservation Park are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, year-round 1:30-3pm. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Skate Cinema, Saturday, February 8: 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. This event is free to attend and no advanced registration is required. Ice skating will be allowed while the movie is playing - just not in front of the screen! A limited number of loaner skates will be available or bring your own skates. We’ll have an outdoor fire pit for warming up and Travelin' Tom's Coffee for purchase.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, February 9: Follow rolling hiking paths through the Turville Point Conservation Park woodlands and prairie with beautiful vistas of Lake Monona and Monona Bay. Walks at Turville Point held on the 2nd Sunday every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners, Madison Parks and Friends of Olin Turville. Meet at the Turville Point parking lot, entrance at the E. Olin Ave. stoplight from John Nolen Drive at the railroad tracks, south of Olin Park (not at the boat launch). No registration is required. No pets are allowed.

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

Best wishes,

Regina Vidaver