02.23.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

39º | 49% chance of sleet | Sunrise 6:43 a.m. | Sunset 5:38 p.m.

🎤 The state of State Street

Local leaders speak about the past, present, and future of State Street.

DMI hosts a “What’s Up Downtown?” seminar once a month. | Photo by 608today

Yesterday, we attended Downtown Madison Inc.'s (DMI) monthly “What’s Up Downtown?” series to give you the inside scoop.

This month’s topic? The past, present, and future of State Street.

Speakers:

Ed Freer | Landscape Architecture, Senior Landscape Architect at GRAEF
Satya Rhodes-Conway | City of Madison Mayor
Mary Lang Sollinger | Former State Street retailer and Downtown Coordinating Committee Chair
Cindy Torstveit | Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning & Management at UW-Madison

Ed Freer

Freer spoke on the importance of creating public spaces in urban areas. He’s currently working on the upcoming Picnic Point Outreach Center, as well as with Sasaki as a consultant on the Lake Monona waterfront redesign project.

A waterfront rendering of a pedestrian bridge between greenspace and Lake Monona — The future of Lake Monona’s waterfront. | Rendering via Sasaki

Optimistic about the future of State Street, he explained how important proportions are when rethinking an area. “Whether the building is three stories or 10 stories, it doesn’t matter. It’s the bottom two stories that matter,” since that’s where all the action happens.

While Freer recognizes that new trends are important to keep in mind when designing a public space — green infrastructure, street art, and multipurpose elements — he also considers longevity, “what will it look like 400 years from now?”

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

The mayor reminisced about times spent as a youngster at Ithica Commons in New York, where she grew up. She hopes that Madison can offer a similar positive experience, “we need to make sure that [high school and middle school] students feel comfortable coming to State Street.”

When asked how she envisions the future of State Street, Rhodes-Conway emphasized the importance of filling storefronts, “even if they are filled temporarily ... we need to make sure we’re bringing that vibrancy.”

Cindy Torstveit

State Street, Torstveit noted, serves as a connection between campus and the community, both literally and figuratively.

When asked about what is needed to enhance State Street in the future, Torstveit touched on accessibility and safety noting that “a lot of our classes are at night, and the libraries are open very late.”

608 pedestrian mall — The experimental pedestrian mall will span the 400-600 blocks of State Street. | Rendering via City of Madison

Mary Lang Sollinger

Sollinger owned The Peacock on State Street from 1968-1996. When asked how she’s seen things evolve over the last decades, she said, “State Street was a place to experiment with, take a chance with ... and it still is I think.”

State Street draws a diverse crowd ranging from locals and students to out-of-town athletes and business people. “It’s really unique, and we take it for granted.”

What's next?

Events

Friday, Feb. 23

Fort Night: A Library Lateover | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Alicia Ashman Library, 733 N. High Point Rd., Madison | Free | All children must be accompanied by an adult at this fun “after-hours” event. Note: This is not a sleepover.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Artist Talk with Martha Glowacki | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 2-3 p.m. | Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State St., Madison | Free | Hear from the former director of the James Watrous Gallery about her “Starry Transit” project.
S’more Lake Fun | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 2-4 p.m. | Wingra Boats, 824 Knickerbocker St., Madison | Free | Live it up lakeside with games, hot cocoa, and s’mores.

Sunday, Feb. 25

#SundayFunday | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 12-2 p.m. | The Lone Girl Brewing Company, 14 E. Main St., Waunakee | Cost of purchase | End your weekend with bingo, beer, and bloody marys.
Enchanted Ecosystems | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 1-3 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | $40 | A terrarium workshop with GROW Greenhouse.

Monday, Feb. 26

Dairyland Dancers | Monday, Feb. 26 | 5-9 p.m. | Five Night Club, 5 Applegate Ct., Madison | Free | All skill levels are welcome at this weekly line-dancing session.
Static-X and Sevendust | Monday, Feb. 26 | 6:15 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $37+ | See this band on their “Machine Killer” tour.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Tabletop RPGs | Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 6 p.m. | Noble Knight Gaming Hall, 2835 Commerce Park Dr., Fitchburg | Free | Spend an evening of RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons or Labyrinth Lord.
The Show-Off by George Kelly | Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 6:30 p.m. | Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111. S. Livingston St., Madison | Free | Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the George Kelly play that has had several Broadway revivals.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

The Green Bay Packers’ “Tailgate Tour” is coming to Sun Prairie on Friday, April 12 to support Sunshine Place. Packers players Elgton Jenkins, Kenny Clark, and Rasheed Walker will be in attendance, as well as alumni Bryan Bulaga, Mike Daniels, and Alex Green. Tickets are $100.

Announced

Main Stage headliners have been announced for the Wisconsin State Fair which takes place Thursday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 11. Gabriel Iglesias, Yung Gravy, Foreigner, and more will be performing. Tickets go on sale this morning at 10 a.m.

Eat

Chef Tory Miller of Graze is teaming up with Chef Jamie of Ahan for a special five-course meal collaboration. The event takes place on Tuesday, March 12 at Graze (1 S. Pinckney St.). Tickets are on sale now for $100, which includes a cocktail pairing.

Development

There will be way more room for books now that the Sun Prairie City Council approved plans for a library addition. The $20 million project will increase space by more than 78%. It will include spaces for performances, teens, and artists. Construction could begin as early as June. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Biz

Wisconsin’s mild winter has impacted many businesses that rely on the ice and snow. Those businesses may now be eligible for a federal disaster loan. Businesses can borrow up to $2 million to cover financial losses caused by the weather. Dane County businesses should submit applications by July 31. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Listen

SPEAK.Studio is ready to say “Hello, world.” The tech company, with offices in Madison and Los Angeles, will host a launch party on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Urban League’s Black Business Hub from 6:30 to 9 p.m. SPEAK aims to make podcasting more accessible to all. (Madison365)

Pets

A new book, co-authored by David L. Weimer at UW-Madison, is among the first to focus on the unique interspecies relationship between dogs and humans, monetarily speaking. “Dog Economics: Perspectives on Our Canine Relationships,” examines dogs’ roles as both family and property.

Shop

Vroom, vroom... that’s your signal to head to the Harley-Davidson® Museum in Milwaukee. The museum campus is home to two premium retail experiences: The Harley-Davidson® Shop + The H-D® Factory Outlet. Plan your visit.*

Finance

These four credit cards offer 0% intro APR for up to 18 months — meaning that when life piles up (unexpected tax payments, medical appointments, picking up the bill for the whole table at Tornado Room — you could have almost two years to avoid interest charges.*

History

⏳ Turn back time

Madison locals reminisce on businesses of yesteryear

Exterior of Ella's Deli with a circus-themed overhang, outdoor carousel, and colorful signage

This East Washington landmark closed in 2018. Photo via Ella’s Deli

Are there now-closed Madison diners, music venues, bars, and businesses you miss? We recently asked our followers this question and now we’re taking a trip back in time.

Avenue Bar, 1128 E. Washington Ave. | 1971-2021
The conference room tables in the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s new building are made with wood from the Avenue Bar, paying homage to the site’s history.

Burrito Drive, 310 S. Brearly St. | 2007-2023
This late-night staple succumbed to the pandemic — a lack of bar crowds during the pandemic resulted in a subsequent decrease in the need for 3 a.m. burritos packed with Spam, Velveeta, and tater tots.

Ella’s Deli, 2902 E. Washington Ave. | 1976-2018
The iconic carousel from this circus-esque deli found a new home on the Epic Systems campus.

Manna Café and Bakery, 611 N Sherman Ave. | 2005-2020
Grab a copy of the cookbook written by former owner Barb Pratzel in which she reminisces on her business journey and shares recipes.

Visions Night Club, 554 E. Washington Ave. | 1976-2020
What was once a notorious strip club is now home to Gooh Grocery.

What’d we miss (pun intended)? Let us know.

The Buy

The Buy 2.23.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Chips and salsa, because honestly, is there a better snack? Sobremesa’s salsa is well worth the chip dip with flavors including layered, complex Mole Poblano + spicy Smoky Salsa Oaxaqueña.

Share 608today

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_4}} friends are tapped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

Speaking of Ella’s Deli, my mom dug up this photo of me on the carousel enjoying a scoop of blue moon and rocking some questionable bangs:

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY