Shop local; Report potholes; Hoyt Park parking lot construction meeting; Local impacts of federal policies; Announcements & Events

Hello neighbors,

Happy Spring! As the weather warms, and the days lengthen, we have new opportunities to shop locally for fresh foods – our Farmer’s Markets! The following Farmer’s Markets are available, or soon to open:

• Dane County Farmer’s Market
• Westside Community Market
• Hilldale Farmer's Market (opens May 3)
• Monroe Street Farmer’s Market (opens May 4)

When you shop at our local Farmer’s Markets, you support our local agriculture and producers, maintaining our local resilience, even in uncertain times. In many cases, you’ll experience the added benefit of lower prices and fresher flavors because goods don’t have to travel as far to reach us. Hope to see you out there!

The arrival of spring also brings us fresh potholes. Remember that you can use the Report a Problem website to request these potholes get filled in. Usually, our Streets department can respond to requests within a couple of weeks.

Safe Streets Madison

I am thrilled that the long-awaited Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) has finally been installed at the crosswalk at Hammersley across Speedway. This is an important crossing for those seeking to access trails in the cemetery and the Glen golf park and adjacent woods. On Wednesday, the Transportation Commission will meet to discuss the list of recommendations for the next round of Safe Streets improvements. Included in the list for approval this week in our district are the following projects:

• An RRFB at Monroe St. and Randall Ave.
• Speed humps and bike boulevard connection on N. Owen Drive at Lucia Crest park
• Pedestrian crossing improvements at Highland and University Ave.

You’ll see that there is a long wish-list of other items for our district that will come under consideration in the future. We are asking folks to contact Charlie Peters, the volunteer transportation coordinator for the Regent Neighborhood Association, with additional requests so he can work with city staff to prioritize them.

Local impact of federal policies

• President Trump has issued an Executive Order calling on the US Attorney General to examine state and local laws that have to do with clean energy and provide recommendations to stop them. I agree with Wisconsin Conservation Voters that this order undermines local sovereignty, public health, and our state and city’s potential to reap the economic benefits of clean energy. In my capacity as Alder and Common Council President, I have signed on to a letter to the Wisconsin congressional delegation requesting they stand up for local control and decision making to protect the health of communities, taxpayer dollars, and our local economies with the use of clean energy solutions.
• Congressional Republicans have proposed ending tax exemption for municipal bonds as part of their efforts to reduce the federal budget, while preserving tax breaks for high-income earners and corporations. I have signed on as sponsor of a resolution calling on the Wisconsin congressional delegation to preserve the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds nationwide.

Should you wish to register your opinions on these and other issues, you may call the US Capital switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Hoyt Park Parking Lot Reconstruction

Public Input Meeting - Hoyt Park, Wednesday, April 23: The City of Madison Parks Division invites neighbors and community members to attend a virtual public input meeting and learn about the upcoming improvements to Hoyt Park. Parks staff will make a short presentation and there will be time for attendees to ask questions and submit comments.

Please complete the survey about the project, which will remain open until May 7.  The survey should take about 2 minutes to complete. Parks staff will share the response data received to date at the public meeting and answer questions.

Announcements and News Releases

• N Franklin Avenue & Lynn Terrace Reconstruction with Utilities Project: N Franklin Avenue and Lynn Terrace will be closed to non-local traffic starting on Monday, April 28th. The project will replace aging and deteriorating utilities for N Franklin Avenue and Lynn Terrace.
• Celebrate Earth Day in Your Local Park: Celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors and friends by volunteering to clean up your local park! Join this community-wide volunteer event on Saturday, April 26.
• LaMovida Radio’s Conectando con tu Ciudad Shares Valuable Information about City of Madison Resources : Enoch Melgarejo, with the City of Madison Department of Civil Rights, hosts “Conectando con tu Ciudad” on LaMovida Radio. In this monthly show, Enoch interviews City staff to share City programs with the Spanish Speaking community.
• Madison Arts Commission awards $106,000 for arts projects in 2025-2026 grant cycle: The Madison Arts Commission is awarding a total of $106,000 to 66 organizations and individuals for projects through its annual arts grants program.
• Metro Transit Public Meetings Scheduled for a North/South Bus Rapid Transit Line: Rapid Route B: A new north-south route will be the next phase of bus rapid transit in Madison. This new phase will bring BRT upgrades to Route B.
• Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Project Moves Forward; Bid Awarded : The construction process for the City’s Imagination Center at Reindahl Park (ICRP) project is moving forward with the construction contract awarded to Corporate Contractors Inc., as the lowest responsible bidder.
• Recycling Fire on Madison’s West Side; Never Put Batteries or Electronics in Recycling Carts: On April 15, 2025, a Streets Division recycling collection operator noticed smoke billowing from the top of their truck. The operator acted quickly as trained and dumped the materials onto the road and drove to safety.
• Ramp Closure — Highway 30 Exit 1B – Fair Oaks Westbound Off Ramp : Starting Monday, April 21st, R.G. Huston Company will close the Highway 30 westbound off-ramp, at Fair Oaks Avenue, to complete utility work within the intersection. The ramp will reopen on May 5th.
• Announcement Regarding the City of Madison Clerk’s Office : Maribeth Witzel-Behl has resigned from her position as City of Madison Clerk.
• Celebrate 150 Years of Madison Public Library with Parties in All Nine Library Locations in May : The community is invited to attend 150th Anniversary parties at all nine Madison Public Library locations during three Saturdays in May: May 10, May 17, and May 31.

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

• A Memory Cafe is a casual social gathering for anyone experiencing memory loss or dementia, along with their family, friends, or caregivers. We are gathering this Monday April 21st from 11am - 12:30 pm at Neighborhood House Community Center (29 S. Mills St). A Healthy Living Luncheon is hosted afterwards from 12:30 - 11:30. This is a "Lunch & Learn" with a UW Nurse designed for older adults (age 50+). On Monday Tai Chi instructor Ellen Hussey will introduce our group to Tai Chi basic movements and health benefits. Contact info@neighborhoodhousemadison.org or call 608-255-5337 with any questions.
• Public Health Offices Closed beginning at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 22: Our offices will be closed for an all-staff meeting.
• Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County volunteer open house: Wednesday, April 23, 1-3pm. 6501 Watts Rd., Ste 250. Come meet RSVP staff and talk about all of the opportunities to volunteer in Dane County.
• The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District will be holding a public information meeting for the West Interceptor Rehab-Segoe Road to Shorewood Boulevard project on April 24, 2025 at 5:30 pm prior to the start of construction. Anticipated traffic impacts, construction sequence and schedule (subject to change) will be presented at this meeting.
• MSCR & Madison Parks Hiring Fair, Thursday, April 24: Madison Parks and MSCR are hiring seasonal staff in aquatics, golf, maintenance, conservation and more! Attend the Hiring Fair at Parks Lakeside Offices and apply and interview onsite! Make this a summer to remember!
• Wright Design Series: Designing Change Together, Thursday, April 24: Join Taruna Gupta, Yash Mehta and Marion Clendenen-Acosta of Designing Humanity as they share stories from around the world that show how design, when rooted in care, can become a powerful tool for community transformation.
• Psychedelics, Sufism, and Kabbalah: Mystical Techniques, Spiritual Paths, Thursday, April 24, 6-7:30pm, Wisconsin Idea Lounge, Pyle Center.
• Styling it Wright: Garbage to Glam Design Night, Friday, April 25: We’ll provide the recycled materials—you bring the vision. With just two hours, your team will design and fabricate a high-fashion creation from the trash pile. Then, it’s time to strut your stuff on the catwalk, showcasing your upcycled masterpiece for a chance to win prizes for the most innovative design.
• Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, April 26: We're on a mission to make The Glen a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming place for everyone – and we need your help! Volunteering at The Glen offers you a unique opportunity to contribute to your community, learn new skills, grow personally and professionally, and connect with like-minded individuals.
• Earth Day Challenge, Saturday, April 26: Celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors and friends by volunteering to clean up your local park! Join this community-wide volunteer effort to help make a difference. Accept the Earth Day Challenge with Madison Parks!
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, April 26: Join Doug Davis for a free, family-friendly guided walk in nature starting from the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and through the trails of Edna Taylor Conservation Park!  
• Bird & Nature Festival 2025, Sunday, April 27: The 2025 Bird & Nature Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating Madison Bird City, Arbor Day and Earth Day.  See live birds by Open Door Bird Sanctuary and visit nature displays throughout the day.  Plan 30-45 minutes for your visit anytime between 12 and 4 pm, during this ongoing event.
• "The Wright Look" Fashion Show, Sunday, April 27: With over 60 original, student-created designs modeled on the runway, The Wright Look is a fully immersive experience featuring live music and an innovative approach to architectural storytelling through fashion. Free and Open to the Public. Reserve Your Spot Today!
• Join the City of Madison, EQT By Design, and 4th Economy for an interactive workshop reimagining economic development. We're shifting our approach to put community members' needs first while building an inclusive and sustainable vision for our shared economic future. Learn about our strategy and what lies ahead. Join us on Tuesday, April 29th at 5:00 p.m. virtually on Zoom.

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

Take care,

Regina Vidaver