05.21.2024

Today’s Forecast

78º | 51% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:28 a.m. | Sunset 8:20 p.m.

📝 So, here’s the plan

What do you think about Madison’s Northeast Area Plan?

Changes are on the horizon for Madison’s Northeast Area. | Photo by 608today

Madisonians have just a few more weeks to tell the city what they want to see in the Northeast Area Plan draft.

In January 2023, City officials introduced a new planning framework for the City of Madison. Boundaries were set to indicate 12 sub-areas within Madison.

Planning for the future of these areas is being done in batches and relies on feedback from residents, stakeholders, and local organizations. This feedback will be used, in part, to shape upcoming housing, land use, and transit projects.

It will take roughly a decade to carry out the new planning framework across all 12 areas, with the West and Northeast Area plans being the first on the list.

608 planning map — Over the next 10 years, these 12 areas will be addressed with the new planning format. | Map via City of Madison

Northeast Area Plan

Here are some of the plan’s key factors and corresponding goals:

Land use and transportation

Improve pedestrian safety in high-traffic areas
Focus on compact growth to reduce developments on farmland

Neighborhoods and housing

Incentivize affordable housing on East Washington Avenue and the Bus Rapid Transit corridor
Improve the quality of rental housing

Economy and opportunity

Bring awareness to small business development programs
Offer more access to grocery stores and childcare

Culture and character

Use public art and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to make the area more inviting
Add benches along Starkweather Creek

Starkweater Creek — More benches along Starkweather Creek would allow locals to easily enjoy Madison’s public greenspace. | Photo submitted by Jeff W.

Get involved

Drop a comment
Until Sunday, June 16, you can leave comments on the digital versions of the draft and draft summary. Just click anywhere on the page, input your name and email, and leave your comment.

In-person meetings:
During these drop-in sessions, there will be City staff present to field any questions and thoughts you have regarding the plan. Oh, and free pizza.

Wednesday, May 29 | 5-8 p.m. | Reindahl Park, 1818 Portage Rd.
Thursday, May 30 | 5-8 p.m. | Sycamore Park, 830 Jana Ln.

Three more factors to consider

Asked

Which aspect of the Northeast Area plan are you most interested in?

A. Land use and transportation
B. Neighborhoods and housing
C. Economy and opportunity
D. Culture and character

Let us know

Events

Tuesday, May 21

Astronomy on Tap | Tuesday, May 21 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Working Draft Beer Co., 1129 E. Wilson St., Madison | Cost of purchase | This astronomy event features discussion, trivia, and beer.

Wednesday, May 22

Open Jam | Wednesday, May 22 | 6-9 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Free | Bring your instrument and jam with others.
Spring Italian Gnocchi Class | Wednesday, May 22 | 6:15-8:45 p.m. | The Deliciouser, 931 E. Main St., Madison | $80 | Learn to make one of Italy’s most beloved dishes and then sit down for a full meal, including Italian salumi and chocolate budino.

Thursday, May 23

Poetry and the Natural World | Thursday, May 23 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $10-$30 | Roses are red, violets are blue, come to a reading by US Poet Laureate Ada Limon for something inspirational to do.

Friday, May 24

Hike and Brew | Friday, May 24 | 5-7 p.m. | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., Madison | $20 | Take a stroll to Picnic Point and then relax on the terrace with beer and live music.
Brat Fest | Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26 | Times vary | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison | Free | The Village People will perform on night one of Madison’s biggest Memorial Day weekend party.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Arts

The Midwest’s largest live painting competition returns next month

Who will be crowned champion of this year’s tournament? | Photo provided by Discover Wauwatosa

Mark your calendars: The third annual ART 64 returns to The Village of Wauwatosa on Friday, June 7 + Saturday, June 8.

Recognized as the Midwest’s largest bracket-style live painting tournament, this event brings 64 artists together to compete for a $20,000 grand prize.

How does the competition work?

During each round, artists have one hour to create a brush-takingly beautiful creation on canvas with a set theme, including Artist Choice, Nature, and Origin subjects.

Attendees will cast their votes for select participants to advance before one winner is crowned champion.

See a piece of art you can’t live without? Paintings are available to purchase during an online auction at the end of the festivities.

What else can I do in Wauwatosa?

Visitors can explore local businesses in The Village, including:

Vendetta Coffee Bar
Arté Wine and Paint Shop
Wauwatosa Historical Society
And more

Psst... Learn how you can experience Tosa like a local.

Canvas the possibilities during ART 64

News Notes

Drink

The owner of Atomic Koi and Jade Monkey will open Rusty Bee Lounge in Fitchburg by late June. Hawk Sullivan’s whimsical new cocktail bar will be decorated with lots of plants and a locally made mural, and be in the new Arlo apartment development at 5134 E. Cheryl Parkway.

Plan Ahead

There will be no trash, recycling, brush, or large item collections on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. For those with regularly scheduled Monday collection, put carts out for pickup by 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Kids

The Henry Vilas Zoo’s first Family Fun Day of 2024 will be on Sunday, June 9, and feature free train and carousel rides + stations throughout the zoo for families to learn about biking.

Coming Soon

Korill Hut Korean BBQ & Hot Pot will open in the East Towne Mall in late 2024. The restaurant promises all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue with a full bar menu.

Cause

Bikes for Kids Wisconsin will hold its Everything Bikes Garage Sale fundraiser at its bike center (354 Coyier Lane) on Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For sale: all things bike.

Biz

Dane County Habitat for Humanity aims to triple its annual home builds by 2035. Usually averaging 12-15 builds per year, the nonprofit has completed 15 homes in 2024 and plans to build seven more by year-end. (In Business Madison)

Watch

Madisonian Denny Love is new to the cast of Jeremy Renner’s Paramount+ series, “Mayor of Kingstown.” Love, better known locally as Denzel Irby, will host a viewing party on Friday, June 7 at 5215 Verona Rd. in Fitchburg. (Madison365)

Weather

For those who enjoyed the stellar Northern Lights that illuminated Madison recently, you may soon see more. Mayra Oyola-Merced, of UW-Madison’s Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, says that there will be a rise in solar activity on the sun this year and next. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Trending

Skip the Sriracha and shop local instead

Summer of 2024 may bring another Sriracha shortage

You can find Savory Accents at the Dane County Farmers’ Market | Photo by Savory Accents

A summer without Sriracha? It’s a possibility now that Huy Fong Foods plans to stop production until after Labor Day.

“All orders that have been scheduled beginning on May 6, 2024, will be canceled,” says the California-based hot sauce company. That’s nearly a four-month pause on the production of Sriracha, chili garlic sauce, and sambal oelek.

Why? The peppers are “too green.” Huy Fong’s “red rooster” Sriracha is known for, well, being red. When jalapenos are too green, they dilute that iconic color. It isn’t just the hue that’s halting the hot sauce — green peppers are also less spicy than their more developed red pepper peers. And what’s Sriracha without spice?

Our advice is to sample some local sauces that bring the heat:

Dashelito’s | Browse the eight unique flavors online or in-store at local grocers like Willy Street Co-op and Woodman’s.
Mandy’s Mood Foods | Can’t take the heat? Try the mild option. Otherwise, the ghost pepper sauce is great for heat-seekers.
Savory Accents | This Verona-based brand doesn’t stop at sauce: chili jam, candied jalapenos, and other items are also available for purchase.

The Buy

Pet accessories. Have the prettiest pooch at the park with these themed prints for summer thanks to Covey Collection.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

I’m a big fan of spicy stuff and am always looking for local food and drink recs. Let me know your favorite place to get spicy food or drinks downtown (I’m especially fond of spicy ramen, margs, and cheeses). TYIA!

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