"IN ALDER WORDS..."
Barbara Vedder, 2nd District Alderperson
Thank goodness for the change in weather! Today I was actually able to
wheel through the entire district, from the Old Market area through Tenney-Lapham
to Emerson-East on my way back home from the Hoover Boathouse renovation
opening celebration by the Mendota Rowing Club at James Madison Park. It
was great meeting and talking with people in the streets. It also happened
to be the same day for "Stake in the Lakes" with people raking
algae and cleaning the parks. Thanks to all of you who participated in
this event.
It's already that time when the 1997 budget is starting to be examined.
I have sent in some preliminary recommendations for the Captal Budget,
including some specific requests from the neighborhood association and individual
constituents. For the Tenney-Lapham area, the following are a sampling:
- Expansion of the Streetsweeping program for appropriate sections of
the district (Blair St. to the Yahara River has been targetted by the Street
Superintendant). TLNA is in strong support.
- Public access to Lake Mendota from the end of Paterson St.
- Repair of Marston Bridge and culvert on Thornton between lagoon and
river at Tenney Park
- Completion of pedestrian-bicycle bridge over Yahara at the end of Burr
Jones Field
- Repair of steep slant on sidewalks over Yahara bridge on E. Johnson
- Painting of bikelanes on E. Gorhan and E. Johnson
- Design project, and possible initial development of Yahara Parkway
- Dangerous pedestrian crossing at E. Johnson and Fordem
- Street reconstruction of Dayton St. from Brearly to Few
- Cross-Isthmus bus route
If you have additional requests for the Capital or Operating Budgets for
1997, please contact me.
There's a new business which has moved into one section of the Fiore Center.
Its business is that of selling merchandise for printing shops, everything
from paper to the machinery. The Fiore representative told me that they
want to make this store retail-oriented friendly. Meanwhile, I'm continuing
to strongly pursue assisting an interested food services establishment locate
there.
Applications are due August 26, 1996 for prospective hoteliers interested
in the Conventon Center Hotel. At that time, the Hotel committee will examine
the different proposals and choose 2-4 different businesses. These will
then be brought back to the Common Council. Among other issues, we will
be discussing financing and location. City funding may include money from
TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) districts, CDA (Community Development Authority)
loans, and other possible financing from the city. Of the four "preferred
sites"for the hotel, two involve the demolition of the Catholic Diocese
building on Wilson St. A third is the M & I/Anchor Bank location, and
the fourth a vacant portion of the Municipal Building block. Contact me
if you have any comments regarding this important issue.
Return to Table of Contents
Gates of Heaven Celebration
Transportation and Planning
The Good, Bad, and Ugly
President's Report
Weaving 25 Years
"In Alder Words. . ."
Eye on the Hood
The New Isthmus Garden Club
Assembly Report
Alder's Addendum - Flooding
Neighborhood Safety TIPS
Focus on Flood Fashions
Public Service Announcements