Archive for the ‘Central Madison Business Improvement District Board’ Category
In the final BID meeting for the year, Wisconsin Union’s Director, Mark Guthier, presented on the ongoing extension of the Campus East Gateway. For those of you unfamiliar with this multi-year project, the goal is to provide a pedestrian friendly route from Memorial Union and Lake Mendota down to the Kohl Center. The Chazen Museum of Art addition and Library Mall renovation is one phase of this ambitious project. Part of the project is being funded through student fees – these additions took place in the 2006 increase – and alumni donations. Much more of the plan can be seen here.
The remainder of the meeting was spent:
- Approving the BID’s 2012 operating budget.
- Discussing the City of Madison’s Brownfield Grant Application.
- Summarizing the successes of the Holiday Open House.
- Assessing the impact of the Capitol’s outer loop road construction.
Held at the Hovde Building on W. Washington St. downtown, the Madison Central BID met today to discuss their recent success in handling Freakfest, as well as the city’s ongoing handling of the Occupy Madison movement. Capt. Carl Goede, of the Madison Police Department said that arrests were down this year, continuing a trend seen since Freakfest was established just a couple years ago.
Downtown Madison’s Susan Schmitz discussed last Thursday’s ‘State of the Downtown’ event held at the Madison Concourse hotel. The report presented can viewed on the following website http://downtownmadison.org/media/2011_State_of_the_Downtown_Report.pdf.
Executive Director Mary Carbine then followed up with a report on her attendance at this year’s International Downtown Association Conference in Charlotte, NC. She said one of the major themes coming out of the conference is the growth in ‘experiential’ retail, with restaurants leading the way. This is theme is definitely carrying out here in Madison as well.
The Madison BID Board met this Thursday, March 3. Items of discussion included:
- Update from Madison Police dept. on capitol rallies and parking issues
- Presentation on the proposed Public Market and reconstruction of the Governor East parking ramp near the square into a mixed-use development. The city is currently working on a business plan for the public market space, which is seen to have around 70 vendors including a diverse set of small businesses. The website for the project should be up next week: www.cityofmadison.com/planning/MadisonPublicMarket/
- Presentation from B-Cycle, the new bike sharing program that will be coming to downtown in May/June! This is a very cool program that Trek has created and recently implemented in cities like Denver. Students will be able to rent the bikes at a reduced rate and there will be several University bike stations (maybe with a Bucky logo on the bike!)
Let me know if you have any questions!
The BID Board met this Thursday, February 3 from 12:00-1:30pm. Discussion items included:
- An update from Parks Operations on Mall Maintenance snow removal: Sidewalk snow removal is pretty much taken care of; they will continue to clear curb cuts (wheelchair ramps) after street snowplows go by. Removal of big snow piles (at intersections) will not occur until early next week, as city snow removal crews and equipment are stretched citywide (as you can imagine). Mall Maintenance continues to make progress on bus stops, “walk throughs” (mid block between sidewalk & street), and clearing meters.
- We have a new State Street/Capitol Square Neighborhood Officer, Jeffrey Pharo, who is joining us after working in the North District (but with plenty of prior downtown experience). Officer Pharo will normally work Tuesday-Saturday 8am to 4pm, and will start his regular schedule February 15. He will work out of the Overture Office and out of the Visitor Center office.
- The Madison Winter Festival event will take place in the Capitol Square area Friday, February 18 through Sunday, February 20. Here is the Winter Festival schedule: http://www.winter-fest.com/site_pages/Information/schedule.html and Spectator iformation: http://www.winter-fest.com/site_pages/Participate/spectator_info.html part of the Winter Festival, BID and the GSSBA are co-sponsoring an ice sculpting exhibition from noon to 4pm on Saturday, February 19, on “30 on the Square” (near the Wisconsin Veterans Museum). . As
- The BID is partnering with UW Admissions on three “Your UW Day” daylong sessions on Feb. 18, March 21, and April 18. Admitted students and their parents can come for daylong visits before they make their final college choice. The visits include sessions with faculty, staff and current students, campus tours, and (in cooperation with BID), a self guided downtown tour. BID Ambassadors will staff a downtown information table at the Your UW Day resource fair, offering downtown map, information, and shopping and dining suggestions.
- 2011 Downtown Construction Projects overview is here: http://www.visitdowntownmadison.com/uploads/media/2011_Construction_Overview.pdf This includes overview of central downtown and nearby projects, plus projects planned for future years.
- Alcohol License Density Ordinance (ALDO) update\
Nicole Birringer
The BID Board met this Thursday, Dec 2, 2010. Discussion items included:
- Recap of the downtown Holiday Open House last weekend.
- Update on the Alcohol License Density Ordinance (ALDO). See a Badger Herald editorial regarding ALDO here: http://badgerherald.com/oped/2010/11/30/cons_of_aldo_outweig.php
- Review of 2011 Planting Program (for flower planters located in the district)
- Approval of 2011 Budget
- Update on City of Madison operating and capital budgets, in regards to items related to the downtown
Remember to support your local downtown businesses this holiday season!
The BID Board met on Thursday, Nov 4, from 12:00-1:30pm. Discussion items included:
- An information presentation of the proposed St. Paul Catholic Student Center & Residential College project: The proposed project involves reconstruction on the current site (on Library Mall) with a 14-story building. Informational presentations are being made to a variety of city committees this month, prior to a formal city process. A news article regarding the project can be seen here: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_78e77728-e098-11df-95d5-001cc4c03286.html. To find an informational presentation at a city committee meeting this month, refer to the city calendar here: http://legistar.cityofmadison.com/calendar/#current
- Recap of Freakfest: Attendance was down this year, but arrests were also down (43 compared to 566 in 2005 and 52 last year). In addition, no property damage was reported, unlike previous years.
- Peace Park Grand Opening: A Grand Opening for the new Lisa Link Peace Park (on State Street) is being held this Saturday, Nov 6, from 11am-2pm. At 11 am, a procession will lead the group from the capitol steps to Peace Park. The event includes music, food, and activities. The official ribbon-cutting by Mayor Dave will be at 12:30pm.
- Downtown Holiday Open House, Sat. Nov 27, 10am-6pm: Enjoy free holiday trolley rides and gift bags, special offers, carolers, and complimentary refreshments at downtown shops and restaurants.
The BID Board met on Thursday, Oct 7, from 12:00-2:00pm. Discussion items included:
- Update on the High-Speed Rail Train station and Public Market Project: Right now, public participation, environmental reviews, and design are in process. Final design will be complete in spring/summer 2011; construction will begin in late 2011 or early 2012; service will begin in 2013.
- Freakfest Halloween Update: Freakfest will be held the evening of Saturday, October 30. State St will be gated off from Sat evening to early Sunday morning. A ‘glass free’ zone will be in effect in the greater State St area from 9:30pm on Friday to 6:00am Saturday and from 9:30pm Saturday to 6:00am Sunday. Tickets will be needed for entry after 7:00pm on Saturday; everyone will need a ticket, and you will be stamped for re-entry. Tickets are available at many State St businesses (University Book Store and others), Ticketmaster, the coliseum ticket office, and online at www.frankproductions.com. The event will end at approx. 1:30am on Sunday, Oct 31 and State St. will be cleared and cleaned shortly after. There will be 3 stages: A DJ stage near Frances St, a country band on the Gilman St. state, and OK GO on the main stage at the top of State St, near the Capitol square. There are multiple street closings and alternate routes. Find more info at: www.channel3000.com/freakfest/index.html.
- Peace Park Update: Peace Park and the new Visitor Center is opening this Friday, Oct. 8! Check it out!
- Overture Center update: Discussion regarding the city’s potential ownership of Overture
- 2011 Budget Discussions
- Recommendations for the Downtown Plan
- Nicole Birringer
