Perhaps the best way to begin tidings of a new year is to recount just a bit of the old with an update on the completed 1998 city budget. One of the projects for the Yahara Parkway, the cul-de-sac at the parking lot in Tenney Park, was finally approved in order to begin the way for a potential pedestrian-bikepath along the Yahara river. Along with this amendment, there were an extraordinary number of budget amendments proposed, many of which were approved. Included were restored funding for street lighting, lifeguards at beaches, ice rinks, crossing guards, additional monies for sidewalk curbs, snow removal, and some funding for a few community services agencies.

Some other additions were implementation of the beginning phase of the Living Wage campaign as well as restoring a significant allotment of money for library services. The council has been warned that the 1999 budget will be an even tighter crunch and to expect decreases in funding in different areas

Just a few quick notes involving the neighborhood...

The sewer study for the Baldwin-Elizabeth Street area has been completed by the consultant hired by the city. I will be meeting with the representatives from the consultant firm as well as city staff persons, at which time they will be presenting the results of their findings and implementation plans. I am very pleased that the City Engineering Department began working on this issue immediately after hearing the voiced concerns from the neighborhood residents and me following the summer flood of 1996 and that measures will be taken to alleviate the problems in this area of the neighborhood.

City staff and I are now working on public access to the lake from the end of Paterson Street. As of now, the different trees have been marked for possible removal, but no landscaping will occur until next year. Again, another consulting firm has been brought into the picture and has been contracted by the city to put together a plan which would involve an overlook and pathway from the end of Paterson Street to the lake. This is exciting news for residents in the area as well as me.

Development of the Reynolds Homestead property is now beginning to take form. The Criteria Committee set up to work on this had its initial meeting in November, along with a public hearing in December with an additional one scheduled for January. After the holidays, we will be working on an ongoing basis to determine the type of land use, as well as getting into details regarding the type of development which will occur, its design, and finally putting it out to bid for developers.

Finally, more exciting news! The old WESCO building located on N. Thornton Ave. is being looked at very closely by a strong potential buyer. What city staff and I have been discussing with the possible owner is the renovation of the building itself, along with housing options and parking lot improvements. This project should prove to have a very positive impact on this particular property as well as lending itself to issues we have been addressing for redevelopments along the Yahara Parkway. There will be more news about this in the near future.

I am looking forward to working on these and other issues in the neighborhood in the upcoming year. Please feel free to contact me at 249-8428 or you can email me at district2@council.ci.madison.wi.us.

Barbara Vedder