2023 Neighborhood Grant Program guidelines and application are now available on the City’s webpage! Grant applications will be due February 20 by 4:30 p.m. What will you and your neighbors do? Start exploring ideas for physical improvements and leadership and capacity building initiatives. Consider attending an optional workshop to learn more: January 19, 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Or, attend the workshop in person on January 19, 5:00 p.m. at the Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 206.
Greater Madison Music City (GMMC) report is now available on the Madison Arts website. It gives an overview of economic impact and a regulatory assessment of our music scene. It concludes with recommendations to build inclusivity, create jobs, and drive sustainable tourism across all communities and demographics in the Greater Madison Area. See executive summary HERE.
Madison Parks is moving to Olin Park! The offices currently located in the City-County Building, at 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., are moving to 330 E. Lakeside St., 53715. As we move, the office will be closed to in-person visits on Friday, December 2. Staff will be available by email and phone. Stop by and see us at our new location starting at 8am on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. See Olin Park Facility Renovation for more information.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a pedestrian-oriented, compact, mixed-use development style focused along high quality public transit. It typically includes a mix of housing, office, retail, neighborhood amenities and other uses within walking distance of a transit station. The proposed legislation was introduced November 22, reviewed by the Transportation Policy and Planning Board on December 5 and Plan Commission on December 12. The Plan Commission recommended to Common Council properties within local or national historic districts that are in proximity (within 1/4 mile) to high-frequency transit be included in the TOD overlay zoning area. However, the Council President and Vice President have postponed Council consideration of the proposed TOD overlay zoning ordinance from January 3 to January 17, 2023 to allow alders more time to communicate the recommended substitute proposal to constituents.
Wisconsin Help for Homeowners Assistance Extended Deadline (12/30/2022)! Are you a homeowner with overdue home bills? The pandemic continues to have lingering effects on Wisconsin families. The City of Madison would like to remind homeowners, if you are finding it hard to make ends meet, Wisconsin Help for Homeowners is still available and applications will be accepted through December 30, 2022. This statewide program can help with overdue bills like mortgage payment, property taxes, HOA/Condo fees, manufactured home loan monthly payment and/or lot rent, land contract monthly payments, and utilities. Maximum amount of assistance is up to $40,000.
You may qualify if you meet all of the following:
- If you are a Wisconsin homeowner living in a: single-family home, duplex, condo, or manufactured home.
- You have been financially impacted since January 21, 2020 (i.e. fewer paid hours at work, loss of wages, job loss, increased household costs).
- Your household income is at or below 100% of County median. For DANE County income and other info, contact Community Action Coalition for SCW at 608-237-1255.
For more information or to apply go to homeownerhelp.wi.gov or call 1-855-2-HOME-WI.
City Updates Salt Use Ordinance for Public Sidewalks The City of Madison new ordinance limits the use of salt or other melting agents to the amount necessary to treat the ice so it can be removed. The new change also allows the City to educate and enforce salt standards to property owners who use too much salt or melting agents. The goal of the ordinance change will keep sidewalks safe for pedestrians and also help the community cut down on salt use, which helps our area waterways. When salt moves into local waters, it contributes to making the City’s lakes and groundwater more salty, which is a public health concern.
Rules for Property Owners
- Excess salt and chemical melting agents may not accumulate on the sidewalk and must be removed following ice or snow melt.
- The owner of each lot or part of lot shall remove all snow and ice upon the sidewalk abutting the premises owned no later than noon of the day after the snow or ice has accumulated on the sidewalk, regardless of the source of accumulation.
- The owner of property abutting sidewalks on two intersecting streets shall remove all snow and ice from the sidewalks of both streets, including that portion of the sidewalks bordering the crosswalk, including the curb ramp, if any, regardless of the source of the snow accumulation.
- First offense: $124; second offense: $187
The City’s Building Inspection Division will be responsible for enforcing the new ordinance.
Streets Division Updates:
Big Drop-off Site News! The Streets Division drop-off sites at 402 South Point Rd and 4602 Sycamore Ave are open today, Friday, December 16, 2022 for the regular posted winter hours. The sites were closed on Thursday, December 15 due to the timing and severity of the winter storm that required staff typically attending to the sites to assist with snowplowing duties. Check here for hours and other Streets information: www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites.
Additional Streets News:
- Where do you put your trash & recycling carts in the winter? Friendly reminder that you should avoid placing your trash & recycling carts in the street gutter for pickup. Your carts in the street are an obstruction for plow trucks. The best place for your carts would be to use your driveway apron or the grassy spot between the sidewalk and the curb.
- Where do you park in the winter? Alternate side parking rules are active every night from November 15 to March 15. Winter parking rules, and a lot more winter information, can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/Winter