Demolition, site work, remodeling and addition to a fire / police facility in Madison, Wisconsin. Conceptual plans call for the remodel of a fire / police facility; and for the addition of a fire / police facility.

https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2026-09-08/mayor-rhodes-conway-releases-2027-executive-capital-budget "The City of Madison's 2027 Capital Budget and five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) outline infrastructure investments that uplift our entire community and are essential for a thriving city. The funding in this proposal provides residents with housing and transportation options so they can decide what works best for their families. It underpins our local economy and attracts innovative employers and businesses. It also furthers our goals to build a more resilient city. And by investing wisely in our facilities, it allows city staff to more efficiently provide critical services that we all depend on. My 2027 Executive Capital Budget proposal(opens in a new window)PDF reflects years of strategic planning that is firmly grounded in the values and aspirations of the people of Madison. It's my honor to present it to the community and their elected representatives on the Madison Common Council for approval. The public will have multiple opportunities to weigh in on the Executive Capital Budget, as well as my 2027 Executive Operating Budget, which focuses on services, staffing, and programs and will be introduced in October. Both budgets will have public hearings and be considered by Alders, first at the Finance Committee and then before the full Council. The City of Madison continues to be fiscally healthy thanks to our commitment to supporting essential services and infrastructure improvements, conservative financial management, and a strong regional economy that benefits the entire state. This is reflected in the City's Triple-A bond rating from Moody's, which ensures we have the lowest possible borrowing costs and results in millions in savings over the life of a bond. It's a delicate balancing act to prepare for the needs of a growing city while keeping our debt payments, felt in the operating budget, at a sustainable level. Due to cutbacks in funding from state and federal governments, the burden of maintaining critical infrastructure is falling too heavily on local property taxpayers. When coupled with high inflation, local governments simply cannot keep up. Just as our residents are experiencing, the high costs of construction materials are also hitting the City's bottom line. We need bipartisan policies that invest in the American people and the places they call home, rather than starting wars and tariff fights abroad. There is nothing controversial or political about effective stormwater infrastructure, roads free of potholes, or adequate facilities to provide emergency services. In fact, deferring these investments comes with real costs to our quality of life, our economy, and our health. With this in mind, my Executive Budget is $90.6 million lower in general obligation borrowing, supported by the general fund, than what was originally requested by city agencies. To be clear, the original agency requests are for projects that are long overdue and would benefit the entire city. My administration will continue to seek out both opportunities for increased efficiency and every available opportunity for outside investments in infrastructure. I'm proud that since I was first elected, we have secured more than $750 million in federal and state funding, which has helped fund critical infrastructure while lessening the impact on local taxpayers. I'm hopeful that these opportunities will become more frequent in the future, and City staff are doing the planning work so we are ready to capture these funds if and when they become available. Because when Madison is successful, that success is shared far beyond our city limits. In the meantime, the goals of our five-year capital improvement plan are focused on creating more homes, saving future operating budget dollars by modernizing a few key facilities, and investing in public safety. Continuing Investment in Affordable Housing Like many growing cities across the country, Madison needs to diversify the type of homes available to existing and future residents. We will continue to confront this challenge head-on and use all tools at our disposal. One way we are doing so is by creating more housing. The Triangle Redevelopment will nearly quadruple the number of homes for working families at that location and, because of sustainability features, renters will see long-term savings on their utility bills. This ambitious, generational investment in social housing is in addition to the $87.8 million we are including in the affordable housing fund and will help meet our goal of creating 15,000 more homes by 2030. We are doing everything we can as a local government to bend the curve on the rising costs for renters and first-time homeowners. Despite our efforts, the consequences of federal government disinvestment are felt acutely by cities like Madison. Like many in our community, I'm deeply frustrated by the affordability crisis and the associated costs of mitigating the problem instead of solving it. We need support at the state and federal level to reach long-term stability in the housing market and I'm eager to work in partnership with these entities to make it happen. Efficient City Operations The upgraded Streets facility on South Point Road on the far west side is an excellent example of how capital spending can save taxpayers millions in future operating budgets. This facility will cut hundreds of hours per year in the travel time and associated fuel costs it takes for both trash and recycling pickup, as well as snow and ice removal for a large portion of the city. In this capital budget, there is a modest amount for remodeling the Streets Division's Badger Road facility to complete the final transition steps of the South Point Road project and create a permanent home for Parking Enforcement. We are also taking preliminary steps toward finding a long-term solution to updating the outdated Traffic Engineering facility on Sayle Street. Evaluating the long-term needs of our city and potential operations savings will be at the forefront of this process. Additionally, the City's ambitious Park & Badger redevelopment remains on track. This project is slated to replace the outdated Fire Station 6 with a modern facility, create a new public health clinic, and fund hundreds more affordable homes. It has already created space for Madison College to build a new childcare training facility that will increase the number of providers in our area. Public Safety and Body-Worn Cameras Also included in my Executive Budget is funding to launch a body-worn camera program for the Madison Police Department. Chief John Patterson has indicated this is his number one priority for his department. Throughout this year, many alders have also communicated their support for body-worn cameras. Even before the recent death of a community member at the hands of the police brought this issue to the forefront of public attention, this item was included in my Executive Budget because of the clear support from the Council and Chief Patterson's efforts to lessen the significant operating budget impact needed to implement this program. Body-worn cameras are not the only police accountability measure that Madison needs to consider in the weeks and months ahead. However, I think it's time to take a step forward on this long-debated equipment decision, which is why I included funding for this technology in this year's capital budget. Maintaining Core Infrastructure The 2027 Executive Capital Budget prioritizes projects in the following areas: $42.1 million for street reconstruction, including the redesign of Regent Street to make it more pedestrian- and business-friendly; $17.9 million for improvements to our parks system, including investments in playgrounds, park facilities, and continuing work on the Madison Lakeway project; $12.6 million for water mains to ensure strong, well-maintained infrastructure for drinking water and public safety; $8.7 million for pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, including improvements of Stoughton Road and the West Towne Path, to build on the over 100 miles of trails and safe sidewalks I've championed, which help make Madison a comfortable, safe place to live; $7.9 million for flood mitigation and stormwater system improvements, enhancing the City's resilience and building on the extensive flood mitigation work the City has been doing; $5.4 million to help complete the multi-phase reconstruction of John Nolen Drive and accompanying infrastructure; $3.3 million for traffic safety improvements to city streets. I want to thank city staff for their thoughtful and creative work during this year's Capital budget process. I'm looking forward to the process of briefing the community and the Common Council on this budget, and to seeing what amendments my Council colleagues have before it is finalized in November. " ------------------------------ https://captimes.com/news/government/south-madison-surge-of-projects-has-residents-calling-for-inclusion/article_f40647f5-2387-4b71-9851-3f72167a68e1.html As Madison drivers adjust to a single lane of traffic along John Nolen Drive this winter, down the street toward the Beltline, developers and planners are imagining how to turn the area near the Alliant Energy Center into a pedestrian- and bike-friendly gateway to downtown — over the next 20 years or so. The area around the Alliant Energy Center, a local convention center nestled between John Nolen and Rimrock Road, is zoned for parks and recreation for events like Brat Fest that bring people from the Dane County region and beyond to the isthmus downtown. The reconstruction of John Nolen Drive is part of a larger vision to transform part of Madison’s south side into a vibrant, bustling waterfront walkway, complete with an updated entertainment campus. To accomplish the goal, officials estimate hundreds of millions of dollars would be needed for several major development plans, including the reconstruction of John Nolen Drive, the Lake Monona Waterfront LakeWay Project, the city’s South Madison Area Plan and the Alliant Energy Center’s Master Plan. The Alliant Master Plan was created in 2018 alongside a public-private task force formed to create a commercial “Destination District.” The county’s committee for the Alliant redevelopment, in collaboration with the Destination District task force, aims to redevelop the 164-acre parcel of Dane County land with new event space, stores, restaurants and potentially housing. But some of the people working on the Alliant Energy Center transformation are concerned there's not enough coordination with all the other major project plans for south Madison, and not enough collaboration on how to best serve the neighborhoods and the people who live there. Some residents are worried about the developments, too. Got a news tip? The Cap Times welcomes tips from readers to help us inform our community. Email tips@captimes.com or visit our "Send us tips" page for more options. Dave Davis, a 40-year neighbor of the event center, said he has been concerned about the campus’ future since the city began working on its South Madison Area Plan nearly four years ago. At the time, city planners weren’t considering the Alliant Energy Center’s redevelopment goals, which are overseen by Dane County. Residents have felt unheard during the process, he said. “The Alliant Energy Center (feeds) into the Destination District, which connects to the Lakeway Project,” Davis said. “But no one’s talking about the combined impact of all of those three things, and how can we do planning when we can't talk about these huge projects that could have a huge impact on south Madison, including the Bay Creek (neighborhood).” Davis worries city representatives don’t have enough say in the county’s Alliant Energy Center plans. City Council Ald. Isadore Knox Jr. represents neighborhoods in south Madison from near Lake Waubesa along the Beltline toward Fish Hatchery Road, which includes the Alliant Energy Center. Knox is also a member of the county’s Redevelopment Committee, which meets regularly to discuss and plan the Alliant revamp and all its moving parts. Knox said he is confident in the plans for the region. How to coordinate various plans for the Alliant has been an ongoing discussion, Knox said. The plans — rehabilitating the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, exhibition hall and parking lot that are all part of the Alliant property — are designed to be connected, he said, but funding needs and strategies for each project are vastly different. Alliant Energy Center 050825 14-05082025084436.jpg Plans for the Alliant Energy Center would rehabilitate the Exhibition Hall, parking lots, Veterans Memorial Coliseum and other parts of the 164-acre campus on Madison's south side. RUTHIE HAUGE Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s capital budget and the city’s capital improvement plan propose keeping a redevelopment of South Park Street and West Badger Road on track, among other needs, including updating Fire Station 6 with a modern facility, creating a new public health clinic and funding more affordable housing. The 2026 capital budget includes $8.9 million for stormwater projects and flooding citywide, $5.3 million for sidewalk repair, and $25 million for the park system, which includes work on the south side. Dane County Redevelopment Committee members this winter are reviewing applications to remodel and rebuild the Coliseum and preparing to see what developers have in mind if they were to build near the Alliant Energy Center, including potential mixed-use housing. Before developers could apply for projects, the city would need to change the zoning options for the area, which residents have said lacks affordable housing choices. Residents of south Madison told researchers in a 2022 survey they feared rent increases would drive up housing costs and push people out of their communities, making it hard to find adequate housing in the same neighborhood. University of Wisconsin-Madison Population Health researchers interviewed more than 200 residents, mostly renters, representing about 10% of households in the area. People of color reported being more burdened by housing costs than white residents. Residents said they enjoyed the history of the community, how “homey” it felt, and the walking distance to amenities near South Park Street. They raised concerns about violence, drug use, property management, jobs and transportation access. The study found residents wanted to get involved in development efforts but knew little about how to get engaged in city government. Most relied on community partners, like city-funded nonprofits and organizations, to stay informed. Developers should build what the people in the community want, which includes better property management; clean, secure and affordable housing; and community centers with space for youth enrichment, said Jewel Adams, who works for the nonprofit Freedom Inc. to inform people about social service resources and who experienced her own housing struggles in south Madison. She worries that future development in south Madison could further gentrification and that property will be prioritized over people, echoing feedback shared during the community engagement phase of the 2022 Area Plan. “(Developers) are not looking out for the community. They're looking more at the people. They would rather help remodel the community and make the community look good,” Adams said. As community members advocate for development that serves and better reflects people of color — who represent most of south Madison’s residents — others hope their feedback about needs like stormwater management and housing affordability is heard by planners. Jewel Adams 121025 01-12122025100435.jpg Jewel Adams at Freedom Inc. wants to see more community-centered buildout for the most vulnerable south Madison residents. RUTHIE HAUGE Alliant Energy Center redevelopment The county’s Redevelopment Committee for the Alliant Energy Center campus overlaps in some ways with the group of public and private stakeholders on the Destination District Task Force. Both are focused on reviewing the planning designs and public improvement for the area and making recommendations. Task Force members last month penned a letter to Alliant project leaders identifying their priorities for stitching together the vision of a “world-class, pedestrian-oriented district and celebrated community gateway for generations to come.” They described wanting to ensure the Destination District feels cohesive from the South Park Street and West Badger Road area to downtown, without traffic getting in the way of pedestrian access. They also want to treat John Nolen Drive as a gateway and less of a barrier to the lakefront and the natural landscapes. The Wingra Creek corridor should be treated as a “major conduit and destination” that links the Park Street corridor to the lakefront and to the Tenney Park and Vilas Park neighborhoods, all the way to the Alliant Energy Center, Task Force members wrote. Davis, the nearby resident, said he looks forward to what the Alliant redevelopment could be — he imagines, for example, a rooftop brew pub — but is skeptical of city plans to overhaul his neighborhood and the larger south Madison area. “What I saw as one of the shortcomings … was that the South Madison Plan was just described as the donut, with the Alliant Energy Center’s 164-acre campus being the hole in the donut. People were forbidden, basically, to talk about the Alliant Energy Center's redevelopment plans,” Davis said. “Whether the (Alliant) plans are realistic or not, they were on the table, and they were looking at $300-400 million total to do everything they wanted to do, which to me would arguably be the biggest development that ever happened in south Madison. And the South Madison Plan was supposed to be looking at planning for development 20 years out,” Davis said. The Alliant Energy Center’s current master plan outlines short-term goals that could be accomplished within a few years, such as updating the event parking and stormwater management, and longer-term plans like a new hotel, an updated arena, and a new Gateway Plaza with restaurants, entertainment and other amenities. “It's got a lot of potential to do a lot of really cool things that would benefit, maybe not south Madison in particular, but Madison and the area,” Davis said. “We ought to be looking at all this together so that we make sure it benefits the community, and in particular the neighborhoods closest to Capitol View, rather than being detrimental to those neighborhoods,” he said. The Hub 120623 38-12072023220335.jpg (copy) Other south side developments include Centro Hispano's new facility, the Urban League of Greater Madison's Black Business Hub and the Goodman South Public Library. RUTHIE HAUGE Davis is particularly interested in improved stormwater management. Flooding has damaged neighborhoods near the Alliant for years after a parking lot replaced a marsh, he said. Davis recalled Alliant Energy Center officials promising the parking lot wouldn’t be a problem and said he has been frustrated by their response. The Alliant master plan aims to improve parking options and stormwater management in the future by potentially using the natural resources on the campus, such as Willow Island. Dane County Board member Chuck Erickson, who represents part of the Alliant campus, said the moving parts of the center’s master plan could be viewed as “chaotic,” but communication within the Destination District Task Force is helping to keep people informed about project updates and redevelopment goals at the early stages. Addressing stormwater management is a key priority, Erickson said, along with improved accessibility, traffic engineering and pedestrian safety, a similar concern shared by residents in the City Council’s District 13 near South Park Street. “Somebody brought up concerns about all the development that’s happening in the isthmus, and of course, they went straight into parking. But, I mean, that’s a concern that people always have — if we're doing all this development, how much is it going to lead to issues like street parking,” Erickson said. “It would be nice someday to have another hotel on the site somewhere, and have some other amenities. By that, I mean a coffee shop or restaurant or whatever, literally on site. But part of that is pedestrian issues,” Erickson said. Within biking distance, longstanding parts of South Park Street are being redeveloped as part of the South Madison Plan, signaling a turning point in the neighborhood’s diminishing identity and redefining the boundary between gentrification and redevelopment. Gentrification leads to wealthier people moving into an area that previously was home to lower-income people, Ald. Tag Evers said in an email to the Cap Times. Development of new housing accompanied by new public amenities like city parks can stimulate demand, resulting in increased housing values, he said. “The city is cognizant of this dynamic, which is why we’ve stepped up our investments in south Madison via our land banking efforts,” Evers said. “Land banking removes parcels from the whirlwind of the speculative real estate market and allows for projects piloted by the Community Development Authority, like the one planned at the intersection at Park Street and Badger Road.” South Madison Plan 121125 01-12122025114117.jpg Metro Transit's South Transfer Point near West Badger Road is included in the city's plans to prioritize future development. RUTHIE HAUGE What should redevelopment in south Madison look like? Next year’s city capital improvement plan describes the 10-year plan for the Triangle redevelopment — in the neighborhood bordered by West Washington Avenue, South Park Street and Regent Street — as “ambitious” and boasts 1,200 new apartments in eight years, without displacing a single resident. “This housing is designed to highlight the importance of community, foster strong connections to the rest of downtown, and save renters money on their utility bills by using sustainable building methods,” the document reads. A common thread among south Madison residents — besides the desire not to be priced or pushed out of their neighborhoods — is the wish to be involved in the development process. In the November letter, members of the Destination District Task Force said the final product should feel cohesive from downtown to South Park Street and West Badger Road. The city’s current area plan to “build community wealth” and “create opportunities to thrive” in south Madison was adopted by the City Council in 2022. The plan is eighth in line out of 12 other area plans and will be revisited after the city works on developing the north side of Madison. Asked whether he thinks the planned community and economic development in District 13 is meeting the needs of the community, Evers said “it depends.” “There are those who mostly want things to stay the same, who oppose increased density and infill. (Others) agree that opposing density means increasing sprawl, which few favor,” Evers said. “We can’t put a moat around the city and put up signs telling folks not to come. Again, we are the fastest growing city in the state and our cityscape is necessarily changing as a result.” City plans prioritize future development for areas like South Park Street and West Badger Road, near Metro Transit’s South Transfer Point. The plans also acknowledge the need for more neighborhood-informed development, affordable housing options and resources to support self-sufficiency. Most development in recent years on Madison’s south side has taken place in that neighborhood, such as a child care facility at Madison College and the nearly completed Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Other developments include Centro Hispano’s new facility, the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Black Business Hub and the Goodman South Public Library. Adams at Freedom Inc. wants to see more community-centered buildout for the most vulnerable south Madison residents. “It’s all the same little circle that use that Hub for those small business owners. But how is that benefiting our community? How is it benefiting our low- to no-income community members? How is that benefiting our homeless members in the community?” Adams said. “It’s not.” Adams, in her mid-60s, said she has experienced challenges navigating housing insecurity and looking for affordable housing, especially as a Black, single mother. While raising her daughters on the south side, she said, she waited for more than a decade before obtaining affordable housing through Madison’s Community Development Authority. Rent increases, several months living with a chipmunk infestation, and inadequate property management eventually forced her out of her south Madison home, she said. Adams moved to the city’s east side with her family two years ago. She emphasized the need for community development that prioritizes the needs of low-income residents, including affordable housing and resources for homeless individuals. The best example of community-centered housing for Adams was a property manager who owned several apartment complexes on the south side offering affordable rent based on income. Then, upon the property manager selling the building, he offered each tenant several thousand dollars, which helped Adams pay for eight months of rent at her next apartment. John Nolen Drive Reconstruction 121125 02-12122025120127.jpg The vision to upgrade the Alliant Energy Center began in 2018, alongside several other projects to turn John Nolen Drive into a booming pedestrian gateway to downtown. OVJ PHOTOGRAPHY Some developments in south Madison, such as the Bayview Community and Triangle redevelopment, have restored faith in affordable housing, Evers said. “We’ve witnessed the very impressive redevelopment of Bayview, and construction is underway for the CDA housing on the Triangle. The VFW site was redeveloped along John Nolen and work has started on the reconstruction of that corridor, dovetailing with Madison LakeWay. Lots of good things (are) going on in District 13,” he said. “We’ve seen three housing projects along South Park, including 150 units of affordable housing at the former Truman Olson site, with at least two new projects along South Park in the works. We have a new 5-story project going up on Regent Street with growing interest in that corridor,” he added. One long-term goal of the Alliant Energy Center Redevelopment Plan is to create 1,400 full-time jobs over 30 years. But that’s dependent on which businesses are interested in building in south Madison, or if they can coordinate development plans. Part of the vision to make south Madison a “Destination District” is to bring amenities — such as grocery stores, restaurants, parks and entertainment — closer together. A city-owned building on South Park Street is now under construction to install the proper ventilation needed for a grocery store, Maurer’s Market. Melani Quarles, an older woman of color, grew up on the south side before leaving the city and returning years later to Madison’s east side. South Madison used to be a safe, tight-knit community where everyone looked out for each other, she said. The neighborhood also used to feature more community development centered on young people, Quarles said. “Open up a community center where kids can hang out instead of being out on the streets doing stuff they shouldn't be doing. Give them something that they like,” Quarles said. “Kids love playing basketball. They love playing sports. Give them that opportunity. Make it affordable.” “When we were coming up, the South Madison Neighborhood Center was free,” she added. “They would have cooking classes there for us. We would go there after school and play basketball and pool. I mean, that was the neighborhood hangout.” Knox, the City Council member who represents part of the south side, echoed Quarles’ sentiment about neighborhood identity and youth centers. Knox said he wants to increase opportunities for residents to advocate for their neighborhoods before developers break ground. He also wants to continue working toward diversifying the types of housing available to his constituents, regardless of whether they’re looking to rent, move into a bigger home, downsize or age in place. “We need to plan for different types of housing, not only just single-family housing, but affordable housing, maybe owner-occupied townhouses. This is kind of what we’ve been talking about forever, because we don't want the neighborhood to be totally gentrified and then turn into a high-rise on Park Street,” Knox said. ---------------------------------------- https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district3/blog/2025-09-28/city-meetings-and-updates-week-of-sept-29 Finance Committee Votes on 2026 Capital Budget and Amendments 9/29 Details About 2026 Executive Capital Budget Proposal Finance Committee Alders’ Proposed Amendments Special Common Council Discussion of New Bartillon Men’s Shelter 9/30 Housing Forward Proposals Informational Meeting 9/30 Special Edition Library Card to Celebrate Madison Public Library’s 150th Anniversary Week Without Driving Begins 9/29 Events & Announcements Finance Committee Votes on 2026 Capital Budget and Amendments Monday City budget season is in full swing. The Mayor has proposed her 2026 Executive Capital Budget (see summary available here(opens in a new window)) and we anticipate seeing her full 2026 Executive Operating Budget proposal on October 7th. As a reminder, the City’s Capital Budget generally includes the purchase or sale of land, buildings, construction projects, and heavy equipment like vehicles; the Operating Budget generally covers staff salaries and costs related to contracted services for City residents. Details About 2026 Executive Capital Budget Proposal I’ve pulled out some of the more notable items in the 2026 Executive Capital Budget and five-year Capital Improvement Plan for those who are interested to follow along with major projects, with those directly impacting District 3 bolded: Fire - New fire station 6 in 2026: $8.1 million Police - New Southside police station in 2027: $42.5 million Engineering Bike/Ped - Stoughton Road Ped/Bike enhancements in 2028: $5 million, some federal funds anticipated but would flow through WisDOT since this is a WisDOT project Engineering Facilities - Election Operations Center in 2026: $3.75 million Engineering Major Streets - Reconstruction Streets in 2026: $17.8 million, includes Sycamore/MacArthur project Fleet Service - Fleet Equipment Replacement: $10.6m; the cost over the CIP goes up 20% because of Trump administration tariffs on vehicles Parks - Lakeway in 2026: $10 million, of which $4.46 million will be from impact fees (which can only be used for the park system), $3 million in private contributions, $1.04 million will be from TIF, and $1.5 million will be from General Obligation borrowing Streets - Far West Facility in 2026: $43.7 million Traffic Engineering - Street Lighting Installation program in 2026 includes funds for street lighting along Walsh Road; Traffic Signal Installation program in 2026 includes funds for the new traffic signal approved for Milwaukee Street and Sprecher Road Transportation - the new budget removes $10 million in impact fees for the local share of the future Milwaukee Street Interchange from 2029 because WisDOT has pushed the interchange project out to the 2040’s in their project plans ----------------------------------- https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-09-02/2026-executive-capital-budget-capital-improvement-plan The City of Madison’s 2026 Capital Budget and five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) detail how we meet the basic needs of our residents and prepare for the future. They represent a comprehensive plan for investing in the physical infrastructure that underpins the success of our local economy, keeps Madison moving safely, and increases housing options for all of our residents. Guided by thorough study and innovative thinking from City policymakers, I’m confident my 2026 Executive Capital Budget upholds our community’s values and builds upon the progress we’ve made in recent years. The 2026 Executive Operating Budget, which focuses on services, staffing and programs, will be introduced in October. Both of these budgets will be considered first by the City Finance Committee and then by the Madison Common Council. In addition to the five budget engagement sessions held earlier this year to solicit feedback, there will be multiple opportunities for public input on the budget before final adoption in November. The City of Madison is financially healthy, and our local economy continues to outpace the rest of Wisconsin. We once again received a triple-A rating from Moody’s that allows the City to borrow at the lowest possible interest rates. This results in millions in savings over the life of a bond. Regrettably, Wisconsin communities are still heavily dependent on the property tax to fund local operations and are restricted by the state from pursuing other revenue options. This is felt sharply by growing cities like Madison that are charged with providing basic services to an increasing number of residents without a subsequent increase in funding. These constraints limit our ability to implement creative and progressive solutions. Additionally, the federal government has recently eliminated financial tools to make our city more resilient against climate change and modernize our infrastructure. This negatively impacts the City’s ability to invest in critical capital projects which can translate into long-term cost savings. Borrowing for capital projects, even at low interest rates, also impacts what we can accomplish in the operating budget so we must be prudent and prioritize investments to best serve our residents. This challenge will be more acute in coming years because of looming federal cuts to the social safety net, such as Medicaid, public health initiatives, and food benefits. Some of these cuts have direct fiscal effects on the City’s budget, while others will lead to greater needs in the community that Madison and other cities will have no choice but to contend with in future operating budgets. The federal government abdicating its responsibilities will ultimately increase burdens on Madison property taxpayers. In order to keep debt service payments in check, my Executive Budget is $73.5 million lower in general obligation borrowing than what was originally requested by city agencies. We will continue to aggressively seek out any opportunity to leverage outside funds whenever possible. Since 2020, my administration has secured $618.6 million in federal and state funding, which has helped fund critical infrastructure while lessening the impact on local taxpayers. The Mayor standing at a podium with Alders and construction fencing behind her With these challenges in mind, a central goal of the multi-year Capital Improvement Plan is to identify investments that will yield savings in future operating budgets. One example is constructing a new Streets facility on the far west side. Once completed, this facility will cut hundreds of hours per year in the travel time it takes for both trash and recycling pick up, as well as snow and ice removal for a large portion of the city. This efficiency will save half a million dollars in fuel costs per year, and even more cost savings as Madison continues to grow. We also remain inventive in how we work with our strong network of community and government partners in order to maximize our investments. My 2026 Executive Capital Budget proposal keeps the Park and Badger redevelopment on track. This project will replace the outdated Fire Station 6 with a modern facility, create a new public health clinic, and fund more affordable housing. It will also create space for Madison College to build a new childcare training facility that will increase the number of providers in our area. This innovative project will serve multiple community needs while enhancing our public health and safety network to meet anticipated population growth in south and west Madison. The capital budget also funds the upkeep and expansion of the City’s network of streets, walkways, and bike paths that allow Madison residents to move around the city safely and conveniently. The 2026 Executive Capital Budget prioritizes projects in the following areas: $29.2 million for street reconstruction to improve safety and ease of travel $25 million for the park system, including playground, facilities, and land improvements $8.9 million for projects to reduce flooding citywide and improve stormwater management $5.3 million for sidewalk repair and replacement to improve safety and access $2.9 million to improve the City’s extensive network of bikeway paths $1.4 million for Safe Streets Madison projects to ensure streets are accessible $735,000 for street trees and urban forestry equipment Another priority for this budget is to continue critical investments in affordable housing for Madisonians. We are moving forward with a historic upgrade to the Madison Community Development Authority’s Triangle public housing development. The 10-year plan for the Triangle is an ambitious undertaking that will serve Madison’s working families for decades. Once the project is completed, the overall site will replace 340 existing apartments with up to 1,200 new apartments in eight new buildings without displacing a single resident. This housing is designed to highlight the importance of community, foster strong connections to the rest of downtown, and save renters money on their utility bills by using sustainable building methods. In addition to the Triangle development, my capital budget contains $17.5 million in our affordable housing fund in 2026 that will support the creation of new affordable housing across our community. The City’s ability to provide public and affordable housing is limited by lack of support at the state and federal level. Nonetheless, thanks to these investments and our prior funding of affordable housing, I’m happy to report that Madison is on track to meet our goal of building 5,000 new homes in 2025. We must keep this pace up to ensure every Madison family has the opportunity to choose what type of home works best for them and what neighborhood they want to live in. I’m looking forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues on the Common Council during the upcoming budget process. My Executive Capital Budget proposal focuses on the core services and infrastructure that keeps Madison running while creating a high quality of life for our residents. I know that’s a goal we all share. ------------------------------- https://captimes.com/news/government/as-madison-s-budget-debate-heats-up-will-major-projects-be-on-track/article_4b16f892-20ed-4f30-a8a5-02e38f13fa40.html Over the next few years, Madison leaders want to invest more taxpayer dollars into the development of affordable housing, public safety facilities and health care on the city's south side, according to their current budget plans. This year, major projects include community development in south Madison and the Triangle neighborhood for nearly $40 million, the replacement of Fire Station 6 on Badger Road for $8 million, renovating the former South District Police Station into a property and evidence facility for $44 million, and a newly-built public health clinic for $15 million. For next year, the city’s current plans would prioritize building affordable housing, a public works facility on the far west side of Madison and the first phase of the Lake Monona Waterfront Project, or Madison LakeWay, among other projects. Funding for the projects draws from the city’s capital budget, which pays for physical infrastructure like road repairs, improvements to buildings and other longer-term initiatives in the community. FIRE STATION No. 6 (copy) Plans to upgrade the 30-year-old facility at 825 W. Badger Road, shown in 2014, include new sleeping and living spaces, gender inclusive bathrooms and a comfort room for fire personnel. MICHELLE STOCKER The new men’s emergency homeless shelter being built on Bartillon Drive was funded in part through last year’s capital and operating budgets. Construction of the facility is anticipated to end in January next year, by the time the next budget cycle begins. Both the capital and operating budgets outline spending plans for a full calendar year. In the spring this year, city department leaders submitted their capital budget requests to the mayor for 2026. Their day-to-day operating budget requests — which pay for services and salaries — were due July 18 and haven’t been publicly released yet. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway plans to present her capital budget proposal in early September before proposing her operating budget the following month. After the budgets are discussed in the city’s Finance Committee this fall, the plans move to the full City Council for potential changes and voting. Got a news tip? The Cap Times welcomes tips from readers to help us inform our community. Email tips@captimes.com or visit our "Send us tips" page for more options. In a memo to department heads in March, Rhodes-Conway urged agency leaders to maintain existing funding levels for the capital budget — around $418 million in total. Projects included in the city’s current Capital Improvement Plan aren’t guaranteed funding next year, the mayor wrote. Projects may be reduced or delayed as needed to meet citywide priorities, especially in the face of national and global changes. “We are likely to face a world with higher prices, greater need for community services and reduced funding from the federal government,” Rhodes-Conway wrote. “We need to prepare to be flexible and make difficult decisions under trying and potentially volatile economic conditions.” The city’s Capital Improvement Plan outlines seven priority areas to address improving how residents live in Madison. These “capital elements,” as referred to in city documents, in order of largest share for the current year are: land use and transportation, neighborhoods and housing, green and resilience, effective government, health and safety, culture and character, and economic opportunities. This year, land use and transportation represented about $253 million of the spending blueprint, largely due to the planned North-South bus rapid transit line. About $175 million was set aside for the future Metro expansion, with other transportation costs including sidewalks, electric buses, and the John Nolen Drive reconstruction, which is estimated to cost $24 million. After next year, the city’s current capital budget plans call for continuing to upgrade the city’s fiber network, electrifying and modifying Metro Transit’s bus equipment, improving sewer and stormwater systems across Madison, and supporting small business recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. ------------------------------------------------------------------- https://crystal.cityofmadison.com/WebReports/adapter/XReport.aspxenv=Webaccess&export=true&exporttype=5&reportName=/Webaccess/SitePlanReviewTracking 825 W Badger RD LNDSPR-2022-00001 0 Building addition to Fire Station 6 Permitted Use Site Plan Review ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://madison.legistar.com/View.ashxM=A&ID=1132522&GUID=EA54C652-3B32-413E-AD35-A27281CD13C9 825 W Badger Road (District 14): Consideration of a demolition permit to demolish a public safety/service facility (Fire Station 6). ---------------------- https://madison.com/news/local/government-politics/south-side-developer-tapped-for-200m-city-owned-project-along-park-street/article_5125e772-29c4-11ef-873f-dbf8efab8ff9.html A second building would house Fire Station No. 6. Both buildings are slated for completion in 2027. _____________ Scope: The remodel and addition project includes the construction of a first floor addition and interior renovations to a small portion of the first floor and the entire second floor. The small first floor addition would provide spaces for storage, laundry room, workshop, and hose storage. The first floor renovations include the construction of a comfort room, replacement of kitchen cabinets and appliances, update of some finishes and MEP systems. The second floor renovations include the addition of sleeping chambers, restrooms, sauna, study areas, sitting areas, and Officer's suite. As of July 27, 2023, the came in overbudget and has been canceled by the owner.