Imagine Madison Update #2

It’s been an exciting few weeks at the Imagine Madison office. So much has been going on and we’re well on our way to planning a more equitable, sustainable, healthy, and adaptable Madison for everyone!

Thank you to everyone that came out to the Imagine Madison Kickoff Meetings last week Monday at the Central Library and Wednesday at the Village on Park. We had great turnout (about 100 at the Library and more than 60 at the Village on Park) and our i-clicker real-time polling system was a big hit. We had great responses to the list of draft goals that will provide the basis for specific strategies, actions, and policies we will be discussing in future months. We also enjoyed very stimulating and in-depth conversations with many of our neighbors at the meetings about what they thought about the goals, how they could be improved, and what was missing.

If you were unable to attend the meetings and would still like to participate, don’t worry! The Issues and Goals survey is now live on our website. This web survey replicates the materials and questions from the public meetings.

Our first interview video is also up on the website. We sat down with eight Madisonians and discussed what kind of issues they have seen in Madison, what their hopes are for the future, and specific things they’d like our community to pursue in the future. We’d love to hear your thoughts, too. How do they compare? Are your experiences similar? Totally different?

With the launch of our Issues and Goals survey, we have taken down the Imagining Madison survey. We’re currently compiling the answers from the 130 completed surveys we received, but we thought you might like to see a sample of some of the answers:

What makes you excited for Madison's future?

“The parks, the beautiful bike paths, the thriving University, the Arboretum, the influx of young professionals, the increasing diversity, more startups, more jobs, possibility of a Public Market, vibrant restaurants, great nightlife, great sports facilities... the list can really go on and on.”

What makes you concerned about Madison's future?

“I am concerned about the racial disparities in Madison and how this will continue to influence the lack of economic and social mobility for minorities. I hope infrastructure, such as higher quality transportation and education, will ensue as a fundamental start to a long process.”

What's your big idea for Madison (cost & effort not an issue)?

“The Nolen Causeway and Law Park have potential to become an iconic entryway into the city. John Nolen Drive is already a beautiful city entrance, but projects like the Nolen Centennial Project and Law Park development would beautifully bookend our iconic Monona Terrace and create a true gateway to our city.”

What's your small idea for Madison (a change that could quickly and easily be made)?

“Planting new trees; off-leash dog parks.”

At our community meetings last week, we hung a large banner asking attendees to tell us “How do you Imagine Madison?” Here is just a small sample of the more than 100 responses we received:

• An airport to Capital vision that invites investment, produces jobs, and generates the revenue to fund schools and services

• Urban infill and limited sprawl

• Where we have clean water, parks, community center in all areas of Madison, access to food in all communities, resources for seniors including transportation, and equity across all city departments with regards to hiring and promotion.

• A city with no racial disparities

• Where everyone has a safe affordable and accessible home - we need to recognize that housing is fundamental and significantly expand our commitment and resources to ending homelessness.

• Affordable art studio space please!

• More ice skating rinks

• More activities for kids in low income neighborhoods.

• Progressive transportation including bikes, transit, and rail.

Do you, your friends, neighbors, or coworkers want to have a more in-depth discussion about Imagine Madison and the future of our community? City Planning staff are available for a Planning Pop-In with your group. Let us know where and when you’d like to meet and if there are any specific topics concerning Imagine Madison and the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update you’d like to talk about.

We’ve had an overwhelming response to our Resident Panels initiative. As part of our engagement efforts, we are trying to connect with organizations with established connections to communities and populations that have not been well-represented in past City planning efforts. We’re busy reviewing the more than 40 proposals that we received from a variety of groups from all over Madison. Resident Panels will begin meeting in late January or early February.

We’ve also now added Spanish and Hmong landing pages for the Imagine Madison website.

Finally, congrats to our five prize winners who each won an Imagine Madison travel mug or an Imagine Madison sport water bottle and pen just for filling out a survey online! You too can win a prize; just make sure you provide your email when you complete the Issues and Goals survey.