Plus, the Essen Haus may get razed.
 
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Today’s Forecast

72º | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise 5:27 a.m. | Sunset 8:20 p.m.
 

On the road again

The Wisconsin DOT wants your thoughts on the Beltline
Traffic on the Beltline, Madison's busiest road.jpg
With Madison’s population growth, the Wisconsin DOT is looking at the future of the Beltline. | Photo by 608today
Madison’s busiest highway is getting busier. Between 2020 and 2050, the city’s population is projected to increase by 115,000, signaling that Beltline traffic may only increase.

That is, if changes aren’t made. Amid ongoing research, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback for the future of the highway.

The study

With a history going back to the 1940s, the highway has been continually revised for Madison’s growing population. The latest major improvement was the Flex Lane opening in 2022, honored with a regional award for its efficacy.

The study, which has no specific construction projects attached to it, explores potential long-term solutions to:
  • Address safety
  • Allow better accessibility
  • Improve operations and infrastructure
Traffic on the Madison Beltline.jpeg

The Wisconsin DOT wants to improve all aspects of Madison’s Beltline. | Photo via Wisconsin DOT

This process began in 2011, and will be conducted over three phases:
  1. Collect and analyze data on Beltline use (completed in 2014)
  2. Do a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study (currently underway) to understand environmental, community, and economic goals
  3. Begin a federal National Environmental Policy Act Study which determines environmental impact statuses

Meeting details

As WisDOT reviews plans for the highway, share your input to help shape future efforts at upcoming feedback sessions:
  • Online: Tuesday, May 28, 5 p.m. | Via YouTube Live.
  • In-person: Wednesday, May 29, 5-6:30 p.m. | Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, 4619 Jenewein Rd., Fitchburg
The same material will be presented at both meetings with opportunities to ask questions and offer feedback. Join the project distribution list to receive future updates.
Asked

How often do you use the Beltline?
A. Daily
B. Several times a week
C. Several times a month
D. Rarely
Put on your blinker
 
Events
Wednesday, May 22
  • Two Films by Ja’Tovia Gary | Wednesday, May 22 | 6:30 p.m. | Arts + Literature Laboratory, 111 S. Livingston St., Madison | $5 | Experience two short films concerning memory and the unmasking of power by a multi-disciplinary artist.
  • Vinyl Listening Session: Billie Eilish | Wednesday, May 22 | 8:30-9:30 p.m. | Lola’s, 617 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Cost of purchase | Listen to the new “Hit Me Hard and Soft” Eilish album while digging into a tasty dish or sipping a fine cocktail.
Thursday, May 23
  • Greenway Station Farmers Market | Thursday, May 23 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Greenway Station, 1650 Deming Way, Middleton | Free | Rain or shine, there are plenty of local goods to purchase.
  • Geese | Thursday, May 23 | 8 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $20-$25 | The Brooklyn-based indie rock band is in Madison to promote their latest album, “3D Country.”
Friday, May 24
  • Women Artists Forward | Friday, May 24 | 12-6 p.m. | James Watrous Gallery, 201 State St., Madison | Free | Celebrate 10 women artists, all winners of the Forward Art Prize, at this new exhibition.
Saturday, May 25
  • Madison Mental Health Spring Market | Saturday, May 25 | 12-5 p.m. | SOAR Case Management Services, 4513 Milwaukee St., Madison | Free | Support makers with lived experiences of mental health symptoms, by perusing their wares that include art, baked goods, and jewelry.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Finance

Aspire to retire? This startup wants to help you plan.
grey haired man sitting on a bench in a park in the springtime, wearing a blue t-shirt and a green jacket, smiling at the camera
A financial advisor could help you save and invest for retirement. | Photo provided by SmartAsset
This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161M to help people plan for retirement.

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise millennial planning ahead — SmartAsset’s free quiz makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. Research suggests that people who work with a financial advisor could end up with 15% more money to spend in retirement.¹

Ready to kickstart your retirement plans?
Get your financial advisor matches today
¹ “Journal of Retirement Study Winter” (2020). The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of your future results. Please follow the link to see the methodologies employed in the Journal of Retirement study.
News Notes
Development
  • The city’s Landmarks Commission approved a proposal to raze the Essen Haus restaurant and adjacent buildings to make way for a residential building on South Blair Street and a hotel on East Wilson Street. The plan still needs City Council approval. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Ranked
Edu
  • The Madison School Board voted in favor of a Long Range Facilities Plan that will allow improvements on the district’s aging buildings. The board will decide which schools will receive improvements at a later date. (WKOW)
Award
  • The Madison Fire Department is one of only two fire departments in the country to receive a “Heart Safe Community” award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. It was bestowed upon the department for improving cardiac arrest survival rates with its innovative approach to community education.
Travel
  • The new Borealis Amtrak service is now connecting Chicago and St. Paul to some Wisconsin towns including Columbus, Portage, and Wisconsin Dells. (Channel 3000)
Announced
  • Dr. Beth Giles-Klinker is Madison College’s new provost. She has been interim for the last academic year and will lead the direction of the college’s academic affairs. (WMTV)
Health
  • Wild Health creates you a personalized 50-page report detailing your ideal nutrition, exercise, and recovery plan — all based off your genetics + biometrics. Get 20% off with code WH20.*
Try This
  • Want to get your brand in front of our readers? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Display and Branded Content. Psst... Social Posts are now available. Get started today.
 
Wellness

Silent treatment

Finding a quiet spot in Madison
A white tree against a deep blue sky with a beam of sunlight coming through.jpg
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is an oasis in Mad City. | Photo by 608today
Shhhh…do you hear that? It’s probably not silence.

Noise pollution has become, according to the World Health Organization, “an underestimated threat,” impairing our sleep, productivity, and our hearing.

Earth.fm conducted a study to find places where locals can escape noise pollution. Researchers assessed 3,000+ parks and nature spaces across 245 cities, assigning them “Quiet Scores” based on visitor reviews, ratings, and popularity.

Madison’s quietest spots, according to Earth.fm:
  • Olbrich Gardens
  • Lake Mendota
  • UW-Madison Arboretum
Our indoor picks:
Click the button below for 10 more spaces.
Hear us out
The Buy

Group A, The Buy 5.22.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Lululemon’s everywhere belt bag, which you truly can take everywhere, from errands to hikes to shopping. Points for being hands-free.
Answered

How far do you typically go on a bike ride?
After visiting Trek headquarters in Waterloo, we asked how far you generally go on a bike ride.
  • 5-15 miles: 42%
  • 15-50 miles: 37%
  • 0-5 miles:: 20%
  • 50+ miles: 1%
We’re guessing that we’re not including riding the Trolley Pub in this equation.
 
The Wrap
 
Jonathan Shipley in a red T-shirt.jpg

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan
From the editor
More than getting away from the noise of Madison, I oftentimes just try and find a place to get away from the noise in my head. A place that always seems to help: Cherokee Marsh out past the golf course.
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