Public Discussion on City’s Response to Protests and Williamson & Baldwin St. Reopening

The City of Madison Common Council will host a virtual discussion regarding the City’s response to recent protests and the subsequent reopening of Williamson and Baldwin Streets. This virtual discussion is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Representatives from the following City agencies have been invited to answer questions from Alders: Office of the City Attorney, the Mayor’s Office, the Public Works Department, the Community Development Division, the Finance Department, the Madison Police Department, Public Health Madison & Dane County, the Madison Fire Department, and the Office of the Independent Police Monitor.

Madison Public Market is Now Open

Image credit: Landsem & Newago – Wahuura Sgaac Naaksana

The Madison Public Market is now open for business during the temporary hours shown below. Located at the corner of First and East Johnson Streets, the Madison Public Market is a vibrant, year-round community hub celebrating regional food, art, and culture. A partnership between the City of Madison and the Madison Public Market Foundation, this project transforms a former municipal building into an inclusive marketplace anchored by 28 permanent merchants. Beyond these full-time shops, the market empowers start up entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses by offering flexible temporary vending spaces and rotating pop-up markets. Visitors can explore a bustling Main Hall filled with diverse prepared foods and handcrafted retail, alongside a dedicated event space for community gatherings.

Temporary Hours

• Wednesday:       5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Thursday:            5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Friday:                 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday:            8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Sunday:               9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Join the RoundTrip Smart Trips Challenge, September 1-30

Image credit: Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization

RoundTrip Greater Madison’s fourth annual Smart Trips Challenge is returning September 1-30 to celebrate sustainable, affordable, and healthy transportation choices in Dane County. The challenge is free and open to everyone ages 18+.

Join hundreds of community members in replacing as many drive-alone trips as you can with biking, riding the bus, carpooling, and walking or rolling throughout the month for chances to win weekly and grand prize drawings. There is also a special Bike & Bus Bingo activity with prize drawings for completing a bingo and full blackout—perfect for doing with family members and friends!

To participate, register with RoundTrip or download the RoundTrip Greater Madison app from the App Store or Google Play. Then, log your eligible trips for chances to win 20+ weekly & grand prize drawings. Participants can create their own challenge teams and the first 50 to log an eligible trip receive $10 to Ian’s Pizza!

This year’s generous prize sponsors include One Social District, Machinery Row Bicycles, Friends Applaud Tavern & Cafe, Monk’s Bar & Grill, Giant Jones Brewing, Marigold Kitchen, Madison Bikes, and Metro Transit.

The Smart Trips Challenge is hosted by  Roundtrip, a public program of the Greater Madison MPO that supports alternatives to driving alone in Dane County.

Movies in the Park

• August 22 – Hamilton, Peace (Elizabeth Link) Park 452 State Street, 8:00 p.m. – Saturday, August 22, 2026

Final Parks Alive Event – Galaxy Park

Summer 2026 has brought fun filled times at local parks where neighbors have shared in lots of different activities creating memories with friends. The final event is coming up on Monday August 24 at Galaxy Park! As always, there will be free food, and this time, music. Enjoy!

• August 24 – Galaxy Park, 132 Milky Way, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Streets Division Updates

• Brush Collection Winding Down:  Go to the brush collection website to learn when you should set out your brush for your last collection chance for 2026. At least one neighborhood has already received all of their pickups for 2026!
• Fall Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Starts Soon: Get the dates when you can set out your  leaves & yard waste for pickup this fall by going to the yard waste website. Collections start in early October once everyone has their final brush pickup chance for the year.
• More Trash & Recycling Than the Cart Can Hold: You’ve got some options.  Check out our household cleanup webpage to learn what choices you should make.
• Too Much Cardboard?: What do you do when you have too much cardboard?  We have a webpage that explains your two options on how to recycle it.
• Labor Day is Coming Up – Do You Know Your Collection Schedule?: Don’t let the holidays (or your neighbors) trip you up.  Get your collection schedule from the Streets Division so you know when to put the trash and recycling carts out for pickup. We will mail you a paper copy as well if you prefer. Just contact our offices.

DANE COUNTY REGIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY NEWSLETTER

• Tuesdays: 12 PM – 1:30 PM 
• Tuesdays: 5:30 PM – 7 PM 
• The classes will be held in the white corner building at 1632 West Main St., Sun Prairie!

Note: This housing is subsidized and is for individuals living with HIV/AIDS who have a household income at or below 50% of the County Median Income level.    https://www.projecthomewi.org/programs/housing-properties/rodney-scheel-house/

I have attached the RSH waiting list application to this email. This application may be shared with any agency that has referrals now or in the future. Agency staff are welcome to assist clients with completing the application and may submit it to Horizon either by fax (please refer to the application for the most current fax number) or by email at caitlins@projecthomewi.org.

Please note that there is a list of required documents included at the beginning of the application. These documents should be submitted along with the waiting list application. Once an individual has been added to the waiting list, they will be contacted to complete a move-in application when a unit becomes available and they reach the top of the waiting list.

In general, turnover at RSH is relatively low. Although we have experienced slightly more turnover than usual this year, it can typically take up to a year or longer for an applicant on the waiting list to be offered an apartment. For that reason, I strongly encourage all interested and eligible prospective residents (individuals living with HIV) to complete and submit a waiting list application regardless of their current housing circumstances.

For example, if an individual has had an eviction filed within the past year or two, enough time may have passed by the time they are considered for housing that the eviction would not automatically disqualify them during the move-in application process.

If agency staff have specific questions about the application or waiting list process, I encourage them to contact me directly by email at caitlins@projecthomewi.org or by phone/text at 608-598-0838.

The Sunshine Legal Clinic, a program of Sunshine Place, is offering a FREE Housing Law Training led by attorneys from Community Justice Inc. This training is for volunteers who help with housing laws, legal clinic staff, paralegals, lawyers.

This is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge of Wisconsin landlord-tenant law while earning CLE credits for lawyers who are practing. Housing justice remains a growing need in our community, and this training will help equip participants to better serve individuals seeking housing-related legal assistance.

Training Topics Include:

• Eviction procedures
• Judgment removals
• Habitability and unsafe housing conditions
• Lease-breaking rules

Location:
Sunshine Place
1610 W. Main Street ( white corner building)
Sun Prairie, WI 53590

Date & Time:
Wednesday, September 9
12:00–1:00 PM
Please arrive by 11:45pm for check-in and to grab  lunch.

Format:
In-person

Additional Benefits:

• Lunch will be provided for all in-person attendees.
• Community Justice Inc will submit your request for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits. While CLE approval cannot be guaranteed, we will make every effort to obtain credit on your behalf.

Space is limited, so please register early to reserve your spot. To RSVP click here! For more information please email me at volunteer@sunshineplace.org.

DANE COUNTY BOARD TO HOST HYBRID BUDGET ENGAGEMENT SESSION WITH SPANISH INTERPRETATION

Latest Update 8/14/2026

General Project Information

The John Nolen Drive project includes reconstructing John Nolen Drive and six bridges that span the causeway. New curb and gutter with a raised median separating northbound and southbound traffic will narrow traffic lanes to calm high traffic speeds. The Capital City Trail will be moved further from the roadway with the addition of three new bridge structures, increasing pedestrian safety and greenspace along the corridor. The trail will also be widened, increasing the capacity of the trail, with separate paths for bikes and foot traffic.

 Project Schedule

• Stage 3 start date: 7/14/2026
• Anticipated Stage 3 Completion: Late-Spring 2027

Current Stage / Traffic Impacts

Capital City Trail detour

The Capital City Trail is closed between S Broom St and E Lakeside St. A signed detour directs path users around Monona Bay using a combination of Wingra Creek Path, bike boulevards and Brittingham Park Path. There is no pedestrian access across the causeway and path users should avoid entering the active construction zone.

View the detour map. 

Parking Structure Inspection

In cooperation with the Department of Administration, the southbound lane closure leading into the work zone on John Nolen Drive has been temporarily moved to the north. Once structure repairs have been completed, the closure will be repositioned back to its original location under the Monona Terrace parking structure

Stage 3

Work entails reconstructing northbound John Nolen Drive, reconstructing three bridges on the causeway, building three new bike/pedestrian bridges, shoreline revetment, biofilter basins, and reconstructing the Capital City Trail between E Lakeside St and S Broom St.

• John Nolen Dr restricted to one lane each direction on newly constructed southbound lanes.
• Capital City Trail detoured around Monona Bay

S Broom St intersection

Roadway work is complete. Remaining work entails installing permanent lighting and signals.

Broom St is open and restricted to one lane each direction between W Wilson St and John Nolen Dr. Signs and markings have been installed to direct motorists where to stop. Motorists are reminded to avoid blocking the bike/pedestrian crossing.

North Shore Dr intersection

• Roadway work is complete
• North Shore Dr is open. Left turns from northbound John Nolen Dr onto North Shore drive are not permitted. Motorists should continue using Broom St to access the Capital Square and UW Campus. All other vehicular traffic movements have been restored
• The bike/pedestrian crossing of John Nolen Dr at North Shore Dr has been removed. Detour and wayfinding signs have been installed which direct bike and pedestrian traffic to use the new Brittingham Park path between S Bedford St and S Broom St.

Upcoming Work / Traffic Impacts

Work Week of 8/17/26

• North bridge
  • Pier removal
  • Pile driving for north abutment
  • Frame and pour north abutment
• Middle Bridge
  • No update
• South bridge
  • Pile driving for north abutment
• Shoreline revetment between Broom St and North Shore Dr
• Earthwork and base aggregate north of North Shore
• Shoreline revetment and storm sewer on causeway

Work Week of 8/24/26

• North bridge
  • Pile driving for south abutment
• Middle Bridge
  • Pier removal
• South bridge
  • Pile driving for south abutment
  • Frame and pour north abutment
• Shoreline revetment on causeway
• Concrete paving northbound lanes between Monona Terrace and North Shore

Motorist Impacts

• All vehicles on John Nolen Dr use new southbound lanes between Lakeside St and the Monona Terrace.
  • Both directions of traffic are reduced to one lane prior to entering the active work zone.
  • Signs have been installed on both end of the project to provide direction on where to “zipper merge”. Motorists should utilize all lanes and avoid early merging. More information can be found here:  Wisconsin Department of Transportation Zipper Merge

Pedestrian/Bike Impacts

• The John Nolen Dr crossing at North Shore Dr has been removed from service until the completion of the project. The new Brittingham Park path between S Broom St and S Bedford St is open. Bike and pedestrian traffic should access this path at the S Broom St/John Nolen Dr crossing and follow the detour signs through the pedestrian barricade.
• The John Nolen Dr crossing at Broom St will have minor access changes while the contractor works to build the roadway and pave through the area. Access will be maintained at all times. Cyclists are encouraged to dismount from their bikes when crossing active construction zones near S Broom St.
• The Capital City Trail between S Bedford St and E Lakeside St has been removed from service until the completion of the project.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists should avoid entering areas with active construction.

Waterway Impacts

• A navigable channel will be open for the duration of the project under the middle set of bridges. The channel has red and green buoys to aid navigation and regulatory buoys to delineate hazards. No other channels will be open and waterway users should avoid entering areas with active construction.
• During demolition of the existing northbound bridges, minor disruptions to the navigable channel are anticipated. Flaggers will be onsite to guide waterway users through the construction work zone.

Please be alert when traveling along the John Nolen Drive corridor. Please note that some work is dependent on weather and may be subject to change. Thank you in advance for your patience throughout this project.

Contact Information

Logan Stevens, WisDOT – Project Manager
Email:  logan.stevens@dot.wi.gov

Dan Bauknecht, WisDOT – Project Engineer
Email:  daniel.bauknecht@dot.wi.gov

If you would like to be added to the weekly update distribution list, please sign up using the subscribe button on the project website or email your name and email address to  daniel.bauknecht@dot.wi.gov.

Project Website

• John Nolen Drive | Engineering | City of Madison, WI
• View the detour map. 

Progress Photos

The September Messenger is now available. Celebrate National Senior Center Month by attending the Health Resource Fair on Wednesday, September 16, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm.

Hello partners!

TRC will be closed 8/31 – 9/7. This is an important end of summer break for our team. If you are working with tenants who have eviction court during that time, please let them know to get in touch with us as soon as possible. Our website has updated hours and locations.

I wanted to share these flyers for our upcoming Law for Learners clinics for those who didn’t get to grab one at the LaSup meeting. These are free, virtual legal clinics where people can meet with a volunteer attorney or law student for help with criminal records, driver’s license recovery, bankruptcy, and name/gender marker changes. To sign up, people can scan the QR code on the flyers or go to Lawforlearners.com to complete an intake. Please share with any students you know who might benefit from attending one of these clinics.

For non-students who are Dane County residents, there will be an expungement clinic at the Urban League of Greater Madison on September 23rd. Pre-registration is required. The registration link is here: Expungement Clinic September 23, 2026.

The Normal Hall Wood Floor Removal portion of this project was released for rebid today, August 21, 2026.  Bidding documents for RFB-15066-0-2026-TJ are available only on  VendorNet and Euna OpenBids (Demand Star).

A Contractor’s pre-bid site visit will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the project site, 1156 Olin-Turville Court, Madison, WI

The bid due date for Normal Hall Wood Floor Removal is Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

A reminder that a Contractor’s On-Site Pre-Bid Walk-thru will take place tomorrow, Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.  at the project site, 402 South Point Rd.  This is an active Public Works Site and Hi-Vis vests are required. Contractors shall meet the City Project Manager and Project Architects under the exterior shed roof of the existing storage building noted in the bid documents as the Parks Building. Park on either shoulder of the existing entrance road.

Bid Due Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Aug. 18, 2026 Public Information Meeting. The meeting materials are now available:

• Aug. 18, 2026 Public Information Meeting Recording
• Aug. 18, 2026 Public Information Meeting Presentation

MG&E Gas has finished the gas main replacement on Sycamore Ave and is currently on the gas main installation and services related to Larson Ct and the southern section of MacArthur Rd within the second phase limits.                       

For questions regarding MG&E work, please contact Pat Haines at
608-252-5616.

The Contractor has finished the storm sewer installation along Duncan Dr
including the terrace inlets at the MacArthur Ct cul-de-sac, currently working on pouring the concrete curb and gutter and curb ramps. Also working on sanitary main replacement along MacArthur Rd.

The City Inspector, Paul Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Parsi Construction, Alex Wolfe, awolfe@walbecgroup.com, 608-669-3938 will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.

Water Main Flushing plans beginning Monday August 24th (all flushing is daytime unless otherwise noted)