Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Will Ochowicz (D2): Downtown Madison is the quintessential walkable neighborhood. With the Downtown Plan, I am looking for opportunities to expand that by allowing commercial/retail uses beyond just the State Street Area. This would include updating the DR1 and DR2 zones to allow multiple uses, as well as expanding the mixed use future land uses in the GLFU.

My district also contains large amounts of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH). With redevelopment, some of that would be lost, which I think that is a mixed effect. Much of the NOAH is affordable because it’s less desirable, usually because of the quality of the housing and the lack of attention from landlords. Replacing this older housing with new housing can improve people’s quality of life, but new housing is expensive and won’t be naturally be affordable to my constituents. I will continue pushing the city to find opportunities for affordable housing in my district, similar to the Brayton Lot.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Will Ochowicz (D2): Much of what the city should do is less about policy changes rather than more aggressively pursuing our existing strategies, including allocating more money. The city should continue using landbanking, such as what we have done at Owl Creek, the Starkweather Plat, and have started at Royster Oaks. This land is then converted into affordable housing, usually through a mix of landbanking (often through MACLT) and construction subsidies. The city should continue pursuing these projects.

For subsidized housing such as Section 42 housing that is supplemented using Affordable Housing Funds, the city should look for terms that are either longer than the 30 years normally required from federal funds, or that allow the city to acquire the property at the end of the affordability period.

The city should also consider demand side subsidies similar to Section 8 waivers, but the fact that they are operating costs makes it difficult under the current budget situation.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Will Ochowicz (D2): We need to continue expanding funding for the men’s shelter so that it can operate 24/7. Right now there are private groups fundraising but there will be additional opportunities to increase funding in future operating budgets. We also need to expand shelter space and support the rebuilding of the women and family’s shelter.

In order to create permanent housing solutions for people to move out of homelessness we need affordable housing for people to move into, specifically at the 30% AMI level. The city needs to continue funding these units so that they can be available for individuals.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Will Ochowicz (D2): I oppose the expansion of these roadways, and signed onto a resolution opposing the expansion. Especially with Highway 51, WISDOT’s plan would permanently cut off the south east side from the rest of Madison and make it impossible to develop Stoughton Road into a more urban environment, like what East Washington has become. I also think that expanding these roads will bring about negative second order effects, such as increasing congestion on city roads and making them less safe.

There are parts of the plans, especially for Highway 51, which could make the roads safer, such as upgrading the intersections or filling gaps in the bike network for the Beltline project, but overall the plan is negative for the area.

The city needs to continue lobbying WISDOT to change these plans. It is frustrating to hear the same things from WISDOT and not feel like they are listening. City staff are continuing to work with WISDOT but outside of a jurisdictional transfer our opportunities to totally block these plans are limited.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Will Ochowicz (D2):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
3. Moving the greatest number of people
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Will Ochowicz (D2): Safety is the number one priority. People shouldn’t feel unsafe walking or biking on city streets. It is important for our projects to be financially prudent but safety is a higher priority. Moving people is more important than vehicles, which is why transit is a higher priority for downtown than private cars.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Will Ochowicz (D2): The biggest gap is the Gorham/Johnson bike lanes. I would like to see a single consolidated two-way grade separated cycle track on the north side of Gorham, rather than the on-street facilities which are unsafe. Other gaps include Wisconsin Avenue, which is an area that I hear about frequently from constituents. The road is really wide, with little pedestrian facilities. I would like to see stop signs, curb bumpouts, or RRFBs along this road. Additionally, Langdon is becoming a concern and could use similar fixes to Wisconsin.

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Mike Verveer (D4): Given the need for affordable housing and sustainability, I believe the Downtown Area Plan, now underway, should prioritize increased density, especially because downtown has excellent access to public transit, jobs, and essential services. Increasing density downtown will help create even more vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, reduce traffic congestion, and support a more sustainable urban growth model.

I’ll continue to encourage density downtown given its public transportation corridors and employment center to maximize access to jobs and reduce car dependency. Incorporating green spaces, energy-efficient buildings, and affordable housing options downtown is essential to creating a sustainable, livable urban environment. We must also continue to engage residents in these decisions, ensuring their voices are heard, and their needs are met as we grow.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Mike Verveer (D4): The City needs to prioritize investments in affordable housing creation, including robust funding of the Affordable Housing Fund, use of tax incremental financing, and longer-term affordability in City-funded housing developments. I’ve successfully worked to extend the period of affordability of downtown housing developments and will continue to do so. Additionally, the City should invest more in making affordability permanent through mechanisms like community land trusts and other models that ensure affordability for future generations.

I’ve been a long-term supporter of funding the City’s land banking policy. The City should continue to take a proactive approach investing in land acquisition for affordable housing projects. The City should continue to partner with non-profit developers, community land trusts, and other organizations to acquire and hold land for future affordable housing development. By acquiring land before it becomes prohibitively expensive, the City ensures that affordable housing options remain available.

To better serve tenants and help them enforce their rights, the City should pursue all possible strategies to prevent evictions and promote housing stability. A key priority for City funding should be the Eviction Diversion and Defense Partnership. This program plays a crucial role in keeping people housed by offering support, legal assistance, and resources to prevent eviction.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Mike Verveer (D4): To promote housing stability and create permanent housing solutions for vulnerable communities, the City must continue to take a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that includes both immediate assistance and long-term solutions. For single unhoused individuals, the City should expand the availability of our Housing First policy, which combines affordable housing with wraparound services like mental health support, addiction services, and job training. This integrated approach can help residents transition from homelessness to permanent housing and ensure they have the resources needed to maintain stability.

Additionally, the City should continue to work closely with local organizations and service providers to expand a coordinated system of care for vulnerable populations. Increasing funding for emergency shelters and transitional housing programs is essential, as well as prioritizing affordable housing developments that are specifically designed for people with disabilities and seniors. The City should also expand rent assistance programs and use land acquisition strategies to secure affordable housing in areas with access to public transportation and essential services. I’m a strong supporter of greatly expanding Community Development Authority public housing which prioritizes vulnerable residents. By ensuring that housing for these groups is truly permanent, with long-term affordability and support, the City can create lasting solutions to homelessness and housing instability.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Mike Verveer (D4): I strongly support the City’s official positions relating to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s respective Beltline and Highway 51studies. The Common Council’s adopted resolutions opposing Beltline and Highway 51 expansion and supporting improved multimodal and local connectivity received wide support. Stoughton Road (Highway 51) should be converted to an urban boulevard within the city like East Washington Avenue (Highway 151).

The City’s vision is vital for creating a safer, more sustainable, and accessible community for everyone, especially as we work toward reducing our carbon footprint and promoting healthier transportation options. The priority should be to create spaces that accommodate walking, biking, and transit while investing in green infrastructure that supports the well-being of our community.

We must continue to work to convince WisDOT of the long-term benefits of our position, such as increased safety, reduced traffic congestion, and improved air quality. Additionally, I would work to emphasize the positive impact of our preferences, which benefit all residents in the long run, as opposed to induced travel demand brought on by capacity expansion. Ultimately, this aligns with the goal of making Madison a more livable and environmentally friendly city.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Mike Verveer (D4):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
3. Moving the greatest number of people
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Mike Verveer (D4): My priorities in street design are consistent with my support of the City’s adopted Complete Green Streets policy and its implementation downtown and across Madison. Like the City’s official comments on the WisDOT studies, I believe that these priorities are necessary to create a more equitable, sustainable, and future-focused city.

I’m deeply committed to achieving Vision Zero, and it’s crucial we prioritize safety improvements on roadways and intersections that have shown higher rates of crashes, especially those involving pedestrians and cyclists. I would prioritize safety design improvements on streets where high traffic volumes and speeds contribute to significant risk. We have experienced far too many tragic pedestrian and cyclist crashes downtown and citywide.

These measures are part of a broader strategy to not only improve biking infrastructure but to also ensure our streets are safe for all users. To achieve Vision Zero, we need to continue expanding protected bike lanes, improve crosswalk visibility, lower speed limits in high-risk areas, and design roadways that prioritize safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. By working with community stakeholders and City engineers, I will ensure that safety design improvements are made in high-priority areas to meet the goal of eliminating fatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Mike Verveer (D4): Madison has made significant progress in expanding its bike network, but there are still areas downtown where improvements can make cycling safer and more accessible for all. My number one priority to improve the pedestrian/bicycle network downtown is to address the glaring safety problems at the intersection of Broom Street, John Nolen Drive, and North Shore Drive. Key gaps exist in connecting residential neighborhoods to major commercial areas and transit hubs, where bike lanes may be incomplete or less protected. Addressing these gaps by expanding protected bike lanes, improving intersections for cyclist safety, and ensuring bike-friendly connections to bus routes would help encourage more residents to choose biking as a reliable mode of transportation.

To fix these gaps, I would support further investment in infrastructure that prioritizes both safety and accessibility. This includes adding protected bike lanes in high-traffic areas, improving wayfinding signage, and ensuring that new developments incorporate bike-friendly design. Additionally, working closely with community members and advocacy groups will help identify specific areas where improvements would have the greatest impact. By continuing to build out a comprehensive and connected bike network, we can make cycling a more viable and attractive option for people of all ages and abilities.

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Davy Mayer (D6): There is plenty of opportunity and plenty of projects underway. I encourage all of these things, primarily through engagement with developers and my neighborhood associations’ development committees along with my role on the Urban Design Commission.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Davy Mayer (D6): We did a lot last year through the Housing Forward Initiatives. We must continue to engage with developers to find roadblocks to development. We should also look for more incentives we can offer in exchange for newly-built affordable housing.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Davy Mayer (D6): Last year I led an effort to keep the Dairy Drive facility open through this spring, which narrowly failed on a 10-9-1 vote. The new men’s shelter, opening this spring, will be an excellent solution to part of the problem, but will be too small from the outset. I am seeing what we can do to partner with the county for an overflow shelter.

Our overall housing vacancy rate is rising, which is a good sign, but it is not high enough for a “healthy” rental market that would lead to rent increases stabilizing. More must be built.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Davy Mayer (D6): Expanding highways to contain more lanes does not ease traffic long-term. This paradox has been proven. I think the flex lane has helped some congestion, but I do not think we should expand the Beltline.

I have looked over the Highway 51 proposals and think they are generally headed in the right direction, but need to study this further.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Davy Mayer (D6):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
3. Moving the greatest number of people
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Davy Mayer (D6): Getting cars from point A to point B used to be the highest priority, but we no longer pursue that, instead placing importance on pedestrian safety and quality of life in surrounding areas.

With our annual budget worries, we should ease back on building new roads which will require more maintenance in future budgets.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Davy Mayer (D6): While East Washington pedestrian crossings have improved (especially at BRT stations), more can be done. I also want to re-examine the implementation of on-demand pedestrian crossing warning lights (“push and pray”). In practice, many times drivers do not stop, either because of signal visibility or education. My fear is that this signals give pedestrians a false sense of safety. What I prefer are the bike crossing signals that one pushes, and then shortly after, the traffic signals on the road being crossed go through standard yellow to red, giving drivers ample warnings time to stop with a universally-styled signal. (An example is on E. Mifflin crossing N. Blair.)

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Bobby Gronert (D8): The old MATC campus lot, just steps from the State’s Capitol, provides a perfect opportunity to build hundreds of affordable housing units right in the heart of Madison. Yet the City is currently in the process of rezoning that sprawling lot in order to build yet another unnecessary luxury hotel. At a time of sky-high rents and inadequate supply, the last thing Madison needs is another luxury hotel for wealthy out-of-state convention goers. As Alder, I will block this rezoning effort and will push for the construction of publicly built and affordable apartments with ground floor opportunities for restaurants and local businesses.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Bobby Gronert (D8): Luxury apartment developers get millions of dollars in tax breaks and loans from the City of Madison, only to then rip off students with exorbitant rents. As Alder, I will push to redirect that money towards our Community Development Authority (CDA) so that Madison can build public, affordable, and social housing that working people and students can actually afford.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Bobby Gronert (D8): We are experiencing a crisis in homelessness in Madison. But instead of finding safe, affordable housing for every unhoused member of the Madison community, last year the Common Council voted to destroy the most successful homeless relocation campground in our city at Dairy Drive. I will fight to immediately rehouse the residents of Dairy Drive by increasing funding for temporary shelters. However, we must also recognize that the homeless crisis isn’t a temporary blip, but is instead a systemic issue. That’s why I will fight to prioritize “housing first” initiatives and will increase the supply of publicly built affordable housing.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Bobby Gronert (D8): I fully support the expansion of Madison’s interstate infrastructure. However, a robust transportation policy must also include funding and renovations for additional bike lanes, more consistent bus routes, and increased walkability downtown.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Bobby Gronert (D8):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Moving the greatest number of people
3. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Bobby Gronert (D8): Although the four listed priorities are incredibly important, they don’t fully encompass the needs and values of my student heavy district. Of course we must invest wisely, and of course we must ensure a speedy road network. But when we have students packing into the D line like sardines during the winter, I am less concerned about how fast we can move vehicles down the Beltline. Most residents of my district don’t even own a car, so ensuring a walkable and bike-able city with abundant and consistent bus stops is my first priority.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Bobby Gronert (D8): The Westbound bike lane on University Avenue requires bicyclists to travel unprotected next to speeding buses and drivers. I will push to add a small physical barrier between bicyclists and drivers on this section of University Ave.

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Ellen Zhang (D8): My district is unique because a lot of it is encompassed by UW, meaning that it has already been planned with walkability and density in mind, plus the building processes go through a different approval and scrutiny process than other projects in the city. However, as the campus alder, I will push for more dorms to take pressure off the rental market, improving both affordability and quality of housing experiences. I’m most interested in housing diversification. This looks like promoting mixed-use zoning, allowing people to live where they eat, shop, learn, and work. It means allowing more density and flexibility from existing height restrictions. We have a great opportunity with the Regent St. Reconstruction project that will account for the current strain on that street as commuters, businesses, and residents battle for an inadequate shared space.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Ellen Zhang (D8): A lot of the most powerful affordable housing policies like permanently affordable housing have been preempted by a hostile state legislature. At the same time, federal housing dollars are disappearing. The city needs to require affordable rent in exchange for new buildings to exceed downtown height limits, speed up approval processes to address decades of underbuilding, and have carefully managed public-private housing partnerships. While I’m interested in publicly owned housing, it can be expensive in the long run for the city to ensure quality services and management, and requires a lot of initial costs to build the housing that may not be economically viable for the city in the long run.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Ellen Zhang (D8): permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals? At shelters and near places where homeless individuals spend their time, the city should provide services that help these people transition into long-term housing solutions rather than only providing shelters, which can be helpful in the short term but should not be seen as the end goal. These services should not be conditional and should have minimal barriers to use. Additionally, the city should make efforts to fully understand community homeless advocacy projects and work with them to maximize impact and efficiency to serve the people of Madison more effectively. As the supply of housing increases, in the long-run the prices will continue to trend downwards and be more accessible for low-income individuals. I’m interested in exploring funding models for public and affordable housing that are more forgiving for people in transitional states. It would require active city outreach to promote these programs to the people who need it most, going back to my point about providing judgement-free services.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Ellen Zhang (D8): Historically, highway expansion has disproportionately impacted low-income communities of color, which is likely to happen again with the Beltline expansion proposal. Environmental pollutants and increased noise translate into breathing issues and physical embodiments of stress. As a country, we have prioritized the auto network for the past seven decades. If the city can exhaust all other options before falling back on car-centric infrastructure, I see that it will vastly improve equality in the city and make this a better place to live, even for drivers.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Ellen Zhang (D8):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Moving the greatest number of people
3. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Ellen Zhang (D8): 1. Safety - With the death of high schooler Sasha Rosen on Park St. earlier this year, we’ve seen exactly what happens when safety isn’t prioritized. A traffic accident isn’t just an insurance claim. Financial impacts alone mean difficulty with rent or mortgage payments down the line. In the very worst case scenarios, families and their communities are devastated. I’m 100% committed to safe and accessible streets for everyone. 2. Moving the greatest number of people - Currently in Madison, people without cars are at a huge mobility disadvantage. I’ve taken 90 minute bus rides to go six miles. Madison’s population is growing. We need to account for future needs so it is livable and convenient for everyone, not just those who can afford cars and parking. 3. Financial prudence is a close third place because it takes a deep understanding of the city to understand how to effectively use the limited dollars in the budget. With a solid plan, we can create the most impact in multi-modal forms of getting around 4. While everyone needs to get around, optimizing the flow of other traffic streams will naturally reduce congestion. To prioritize speed decreases safety, increases inequities in people’s neighborhoods with pollutants, and blocks many individuals from being able to use alternative modes of transport to live here.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Ellen Zhang (D8): While not the only busy street in District 8, I will be focusing a lot of my attention on the Regent St reconstruction because it lacks convenience for any mode of transport, even including cars. This is a great opportunity to prioritize alternative modes of transit and safety for the very diverse types of people who move along it. Alongside the street, there is great mixed-use zoning for residential and commercial buildings, but because the street wasn’t built to accommodate mixed forms of movement, it feels very difficult to get anywhere. Putting in better pedestrian crossings, or protected bike lanes not only keeps those people safe, but it also makes driving less stressful for the cohabiting buses and cars. Additionally, besides major infrastructure overhauls, I see the potential for smaller, but effective safety projects like street lighting. Most residents in the district are renters and resign themselves to lower standards of living because they feel powerless. In construction zones, sidewalks are completely blocked off, forcing pedestrians to walk unprotected from cars. My district encompasses more than just residents, so I will be a champion for all the people who pass through our neighborhoods and ensure everyone’s safety.

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Yannette Figueroa Cole (D10): The Southwest area plan identified a few areas with potential for density. The plan is in progress, and I will support any recommendations related to density increases and walkability.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Yannette Figueroa Cole (D10): Madison has put in the work. We have the Affordable Housing Fund, density bonuses, the Transit Overlay District, land trust frameworks, and subsidized rental programs, and I have proudly voted to advance every one of them. I will continue fighting to remove any policy that perpetuates inequity in who gets to live in our city.

The City cannot build its way to affordability alone. The private sector has to step up and be a genuine partner. It takes the whole village, from developers and nonprofits to county partners and community organizations, working in alignment around a shared commitment to keeping Madison livable and accessible for everyone, not just those who can afford to stay.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Yannette Figueroa Cole (D10): I came to this work before I was ever on the Council, volunteering with Friends of the State Street Family and walking alongside our unsheltered neighbors on State Street and across the southwest side. That experience shaped everything I have done in office, including championing Madison’s first purpose-built Men’s Homeless Shelter, scheduled to open later in 2026, and establishing the city’s first urban campground as an immediate bridge while we build toward permanent solutions. The city in 2026 alone invested 1.7M in shelter operations to support 250 people at a time. That is almost triple the amount of people served at Grace church before COVID19. What I have learned is that stable housing for single individuals requires a full continuum of care, not just a roof, but the wraparound services that help someone stay housed and stay healthy. My goal has never been to move people off the street and out of sight. It has always been to make sure people are not just housed but housed in a safe place where they can rebuild their lives and stay connected to this community. Right now, my focus is very clear and centered on getting shelter operations fully up and running and fully funded. Diverting funds from the shelter to other unplanned efforts would jeopardize that progress, and I cannot support that approach.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Yannette Figueroa Cole (D10): I have been following the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Beltline Study for several years, and I want to be honest with District 10 residents about what is at stake. The proposed Preferred Strategy Package includes added general-purpose lanes, expanded interchanges, new overpass structures, and weave configurations along the stretch of the Beltline that runs directly through our corner of Madison. The specific impacts to our district are real. The Verona Road interchange, the Whitney and Midvale merge, the area west of Whitney, and the Seminole to Cannonball Path connections are all in the crosshairs. Decades of transportation research are unambiguous that adding general-purpose lanes funnels more traffic onto neighborhood streets and ultimately fails to deliver lasting congestion relief. Expansion would also mean the acquisition of private property, forcing the potential displacement of homes and businesses in our community, and we saw with the Verona Road interchange what construction disruption does to local businesses along the corridor. That is why I introduced a resolution at the Common Council formally opposing the expansion of the Beltline within the City of Madison, which called for no addition of general purpose lanes, no interchange expansions that increase capacity, and no weave configurations that would displace residents or businesses or impose new noise and visual impacts on our neighborhoods. At the same time, the resolution makes clear what I do support: new local street connections across the Beltline, safe and direct pedestrian and bicycle crossings, paths parallel to the corridor, and transit priority on roadways crossing it. This is not a City of Madison project, and alders do not get a final vote, which is exactly why community voice matters so much right now.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Yannette Figueroa Cole (D10):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
3. Moving the greatest number of people
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Yannette Figueroa Cole (D10): Safety comes first, full stop, and that is reflected in both the Complete Green Streets Policy and our Vision Zero commitment here in Madison. A street that moves cars quickly but costs someone their life has failed. Investing wisely in financially sustainable infrastructure comes second, because the decisions we make today define our maintenance obligations for decades. Moving the greatest number of people ranks third, because our network should work for everyone, not just people in a single-occupancy vehicle. And moving vehicles the fastest comes last, because speed has never been the measure of a great street or a great city, and the policies we have built here in Madison say exactly that.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Yannette Figueroa Cole (D10): The gaps in District 10 are real, and they tend to cluster around the places where our infrastructure is oldest and where the Beltline has functioned as a physical barrier, cutting off safe connections between neighborhoods. The good news is that we do not have to wait for a standalone project and a separate budget line every time. When the city is already opening a street for a sewer replacement or water main project, that is the moment to design the full right-of-way correctly from the start, guided by the Complete Green Streets Policy, so we build complete streets rather than patch them piecemeal years later. Budget pressures are real, and I take fiscal responsibility seriously, but that makes it more important to get it right when the opportunity is in front of us. I will continue to support the policies we have put in place to decenter the private vehicle and make District 10 a place where every resident, whether they drive or not, can move safely and with dignity through their neighborhood.

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Julia Matthews (D12): There are many new development projects currently in progress (post approval) throughout the district, including at least 3 affordable apartments along E. Washington (BRT) and a new market-rate apartment on Sherman Ave (on the D). There are 2 other development projects currently going through approvals within the Oscar Mayer Special Area. The main Oscar Mayer property still has land set aside for new housing with the hopes/intention of adding some mixed-use with commercial space that can help support the new neighborhood. This space is still pending any actual proposals, but will be an important area for a complete OMSAP neighborhood.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Julia Matthews (D12): The city should continue to invest in the affordable housing fund and continue leveraging city funds (affordable housing/TIF/etc.) to support existing tax credit projects (and add additional requirements such as longer periods of affordability and having the option to buy the property when the tax credit affordability ends) as well as combining with land banking and land trusts to help support new affordable home ownership.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Julia Matthews (D12): The city should use funds described above to help support new housing that is explicitly for housing folks who are at risk or currently single unhoused individuals when those projects come up. The city also needs to work with the county and/or the private sector to fund overflow shelter and ensure the new permanent shelter is operated 24/7.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Julia Matthews (D12): I am not very well versed on these potential configurations, but I am against adding additional lanes to the Beltline, especially if it means expanding in to the arboretum or negatively impacting existing neighborhoods.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Julia Matthews (D12):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Moving the greatest number of people
3. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Julia Matthews (D12): Safety is my highest priority and I hear that concern from constituents as well. With the city growing, we need to be more proactive in improving transit options that help move more people without increasing car congestion (BRT/Bike infrastructure/walkability). These top 2 are a necessary responsibility of the city. As much as I hate any length of car commute.. vehicle speed is also directly related to potential harm of collisions. Decreasing speeds makes the streets safer for everyone.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Julia Matthews (D12): The Northside still needs more bus access and bike infrastructure, and with increasing density (especially), pedestrian and bike safety is even more important when needing to cross East Washington, Packers Ave, Aberg Ave, Fair Oaks, Stoughton Rd, etc. This is an area where I still need to do more research to really drive solutions, but I know that there are some safe streets projects coming for the district that address some of these issues. I am looking to join Transportation Commission next term.

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Kate Blood (D14): we can expand the zoning in existing neighborhoods to allow more duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwelling units. We can also allow high density by transit hubs and employment centers. We need to make our business district - Park st. - safer for both pedestrians and bikers by using more speed displays, make cross walks more visible with red paint and rumble strips ahead of the walks. We also need to allow on-street parking for small/family owned businesses so that customers have ease of access. Make more sidewalk respite areas for small businesses and places to rest and enjoy the neighborhood.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Kate Blood (D14): We can increase the funding of Community Land Trusts, increase the funding for down-payment assistance, create more lease-purchase programs such as that at Urban League, allow more accesssory dwelling units, tiny houses, co-housing and co-ops.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Kate Blood (D14): We could follow Norway’s example with solar powered pods (using reclaimed materials) to allow dignified, safe, comfortable dwelling for unhoused individuals. These have been put in alley ways and unused areas that are well-lit and can be checked on by housing advocates. We should also be looking at providing more Housing First supporting housing for individuals who are not yet ready for sobriety, but need to first find a place of safety and support.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Kate Blood (D14): I don’t believe these are the best solutions as they would require demolition of buildings close to the beltline and off/on ramps. The City has proposed other alternative solutions (including extended use of the “extra” lane used during rush hours) that provide less radical solutions to the need for more lanes on the Beltline and Hwy 51.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Kate Blood (D14):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
3. Moving the greatest number of people
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Kate Blood (D14): We’ve just had a death on Park Street of a student crossing in a cross walk while trying to catch his school bus. The driver was greatly exceeding the speed limit. Trying to maximize speed on a city street with pedestrians and bikes is a fundamentally bad idea. We also need to use the City’s funds wisely and infrastructure is, and will continue to be a major issue as housing needs and development proceed with the increase of the population.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Kate Blood (D14): Park Street is grappling with this problem now with how to monitor speed limits (25 mpg) and keep bikers and pedestrians safe.
I’d make use of brightly colored pedestrian crosswalks with flashing lights, rumble strips ahead of the crosswalks, speed monitoring signs, rumble strips separating the car from the bikes lanes. As a biker myself (I do triathlons and am typically on my bike 6-7 hours/wk during spring/summer/fall) I also believe that bikers must be held accountable - wearing helmets, having adequate lighting for evenings, and learning traffic rules for bicycles and getting licensed .

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Noah Lieberman (D14): Three main areas: S Park St is long overdue for a redesign, which should happen with the BRT route coming soon. As we redesign the road for the new bus lines, we should also favor walkability and pedestrian safety. The city is already going ahead with new development there that fits our complete neighborhood ideals and should continue to do so, while also making sure to preserve opportunities for minority-owned businesses that have long been the back bone of the Park St corridor. Alliant Energy Center - A lot of focus has been on fixing the arena, but the whole campus will be redeveloped, which gives us an opportunity for new housing and local businesses for the neighboring areas. I think that having housing and retail that can be used year-round by local residents would also help them see AEC as an asset to their neighborhood rather than a negative. Badger Rock Neighborhood - We have a good mix of single and multi family homes across a range of price points, but not a lot of businesses to support a walkable lifestyle. Working with Fitchburg (which has the other side of Rimrock) to build more multi-family housing and businesses like restaurants or smaller grocery stores would be a huge boon to our neighborhood.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Noah Lieberman (D14): The most immediate step is to continue the development of new multi-family housing. It’s the main tool we have under current state law, so it’s imperative we use it to the fullest extent. I’d also like us to continue to use land banking to ensure that new developments contain below market rate units and meet other standards, such as environmental impact and offering services within their community. I also think the city could do more to encourage co-ops and other forms of alternative housing that are more community-oriented. That encouragement could be purely financial, but the city could also work with housing non-profits to help interested residents set these situations up. Should things change at the state level, I would look to implement a Right To Remain law and some form of rent control to protect renters from exorbitant rent hikes. I also think it would be imperative to strengthen protections for renters against negligent or vindictive landlords. We could do this by empowering Building Inspection to be more proactive in contacting tenants who may be owed rent abatement, requiring landlords to disclose information on their units and rates to the city, providing free legal services to those going through eviction proceedings, and putting in more safeguards against retaliation by landlords.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Noah Lieberman (D14): I think the new shelter is a tremendous step in this fight, but shouldn’t be viewed as a permanent solution for individuals. I think that the creation of tiny home villages is a good tool to create housing stability for folks who are habitually unhoused, but only if paired with the wraparound services required to help them transition to more permanent housing. I would also look to work with our neighboring municipalities and other groups around the county to coordinate efforts in creating more shelter space, especially in the winter.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Noah Lieberman (D14): I don’t think that adding more lanes to these highways is a solution to any of our transportation problems. Studies have not shown that new lanes provide any long-term relief to congestion, and I would much rather see the time and resources be put into creating complete, walkable communities or expanding our transit network to better serve communities on the outlying parts of town. In looking at public comments and talking with my neighbors as I’m canvassing, it’s clear that most people in South Madison feel this way too. I think the city needs to make sure that the voices of these communities are heard, and use our lobbying resources to make sure the state DOT doesn’t undertake any projects that run counter to our vision for the city.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Noah Lieberman (D14):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Moving the greatest number of people
3. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Noah Lieberman (D14): Safety has to be the number one thing. We saw recently in my district the sheer heartache and grief that can come from unsafe road design, with the tragic death of a teenager crossing S Park St. There is no amount of traffic efficiency or financial prudence that can bring back that child or the other cyclists and pedestrians who have been taken before their time on our roads. After that, I put moving the most people and investing wisely. For me, these two go hand-in-hand; Madison’s population is booming, and the most sound investment in our infrastructure is also the one that moves the greatest number of people: mass transit. Lastly, I put moving vehicles the fastest. I do think that taking vehicles off the road as more drivers become bus riders or bikers will ultimately ease traffic congestion as well, but I don’t see that as the most important goal for the city in and of itself.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Noah Lieberman (D14): As I said above, Park Street is front of mind for me, but it’s far from the only place that needs attention. In order for folks in the Badger Rock neighborhood to access the bike trail network or walk their kids to school, they need to use Moorland Rd. This road has incomplete sidewalk coverage, low-visibility crosswalks, and routinely has cars traveling 15+ mph above the speed limit. I’ve talked with parents who live on Moorland who are afraid to let their kids play in their front yards for fear of speeding cars and inattentive drivers. We need to put pedestrian islands, stop signs, protected bike lanes, speed bumps, or some other traffic calming measures on this road to prevent people from treating it like an alternative to the beltline rather than the residential street it is. I’ve seen similar issues on Bram and Beld St in the Brams Addition neighborhood, and I think they would benefit from similar measures.

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Introduce yourself

Zoning and Land Use

Question: What opportunities exist in your district for redevelopment that promotes residential density, walkability, complete neighborhoods, and/or adds affordable housing?

Carmella Glenn (D18): In my first one year term, I have maintained focus on the Raemisch Farm development in my district, since it is an opportunity to do things right. For example, I have been pushing for twin homes instead of single family homes as part of the plat, so that a more affordable route to homeownership exists. The work has already been done by community to ensure that there are many different types of housing available as part of the plat. Additionally, this project would trigger a Tax Incremental District, which gives the northside the first ever opportunity to have an investment from the city into infrastructure that is needed to make the area more accessible to people without personal vehicles, to increase community resources, and to connect the new development. It will also attract redevelopment opportunities. Building new housing without regard for the quality of life of the residents living there is irresponsible and inequitable. District 18 already has a blueprint for how to create communities around low income housing (Kennedy Heights, Northport, Packers, Vera Ct) and continuing to invest in these communities is also important to me.

Housing Affordability

Question: What policy changes do you feel the City should implement to promote housing affordability in Madison (e.g., permanently affordable housing, subsidized rental housing, density bonuses, City land banking, land trusts, social housing, etc.)?

Carmella Glenn (D18): If we want Madison to be a city that truly puts people first, we have to stop treating housing like a luxury and start treating it like the essential infrastructure it is. To me, affordability isn’t just a single policy, it’s a shift in how we envision our entire community. We need to move away from the “neighborhood by neighborhood” battles that stall progress and instead embrace a systemic approach that makes housing abundance our default setting.

The most powerful thing we can do right now is fix our outdated zoning laws. For too long, exclusionary zoning has created an artificial scarcity that drives up prices for everyone. I believe we need to legalize “gentle density” across the entire city, making it possible to build duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in every neighborhood by right. This allows for the kind of naturally occurring affordable housing that fits the character of our streets while welcoming new neighbors. Along with this, we have to stop mandating expensive parking minimums that can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a single apartment. When we prioritize car storage over bedrooms, we are effectively taxing the very people we claim to want to help.

Beyond just changing the rules for private builders, I believe the city needs to take a much more active role in the market. We should be aggressively “land banking” underutilized properties, especially along our new Bus Rapid Transit lines, to get ahead of land speculation. By holding this land, the city can partner with land trusts and non-profit developers to ensure that housing built there remains permanently affordable for generations. I’m also a huge proponent of expanding our “social housing” models through the Community Development Authority. We’ve seen the potential at the Triangle site to quadruple density while maintaining deep affordability, and I want to see that same ambition applied to sites across the Northside.

Question: How can the City create housing stability and provide additional shelter space and permanent housing solutions for single unhoused individuals?

Carmella Glenn (D18): I believe in a “Housing First” philosophy, which means we provide a person with stability and safety immediately, rather than forcing them to prove they “deserve” a roof before we help them address the challenges of mental health, addiction, or unemployment.

As we move through 2026, the Bartillon facility represents a massive step forward as Madison’s first purpose-built, 24/7 shelter for men. But a building is only as good as the support inside it. I am committed to closing the funding gaps that still exist so we can provide more than just a bed. We need on site medical clinics, housing navigators, and mental health professionals who can work with individuals in a consistent, dignified environment. When someone has a place to store their belongings and a reliable place to sleep, they have the bandwidth to start looking for work and permanent housing.

We also need to aggressively expand our supply of Permanent Supportive Housing, apartments that pair deeply affordable rent with the long-term case management that single individuals often need to stay housed. This is where the city’s land-banking strategy becomes vital. By securing land near our new Bus Rapid Transit lines, we can ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors aren’t isolated on the outskirts of town, but are instead connected to the jobs, groceries, and community services they need to thrive.

I also believe we need to be more creative with our housing models. I’ve been inspired by the success of “tiny house” villages like Occupy Madison, which offer a sense of ownership and community that traditional apartments sometimes lack. By legalizing these types of developments and making it easier for homeowners to build backyard cottages, we create a wider variety of small-scale, dignified options for single individuals. Ultimately, my goal is to build a system where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring, because we’ve finally had the courage to build enough homes for everyone.

Transportation and Safety

Question: The state is studying major changes to the Beltline in the southwest (more lanes and additional crossings) and to Highway 51 in the southeast (including more lanes or a boulevard conversion). Some of these visions conflict. What is your position on these projects, and what steps should the city take to achieve the desired outcome?

Carmella Glenn (D18): We can’t build the sustainable, walkable Madison we want if we keep using a 1950s playbook for our roads. I’m firmly against expanding the Beltline with more lanes. We’ve seen time and again that adding lanes doesn’t actually fix traffic; it just “induces demand,” bringing more cars, more pollution, and more noise into our backyards. It creates a massive concrete wall that cuts our neighborhoods off from each other, making it a nightmare for anyone trying to get around without a car.

On the flip side, I see a huge opportunity for Highway 51 (Stoughton Road). Instead of more high-speed interchanges, I’m a big advocate for a “boulevard conversion.” Imagine transforming that stretch into a beautiful, tree-lined street with signalized crosswalks, protected bike lanes, and wide sidewalks. This isn’t just about traffic—it’s about unlocking the land next to the road for new homes and local shops. When we slow the cars down and make the area walkable, we turn a “no-man’s land” into a place where people actually want to live.

To get this right, the City needs to stand firm with WisDOT. We should be pushing for safety and repairs rather than more capacity. I want to see us prioritize new local crossings—bridges and tunnels that knit our neighborhoods back together—so you don’t have to drive three miles just to get to the other side of the highway. If we build dense housing along these corridors and support it with our new North-South BRT, we give people real options.

Question: In the design of our streets, we face four competing priorities: speed, safety, cost, and volume. Please rank, in order of importance, the goals of:

• Moving vehicles the fastest;

• Ensuring a safe environment for all road users;

• Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments; or

• Moving the greatest number of people

Carmella Glenn (D18):

1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users
2. Moving the greatest number of people
3. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments
4. Moving vehicles the fastest

Question: Please explain your reasoning for ranking these priorities in the order that you did.

Carmella Glenn (D18): 1. Ensuring a safe environment for all road users. This is my absolute top priority. No one should risk their life just to cross the street for a bus stop. We have to design our roads to be “self-enforcing,” using narrow lanes, bump-outs, and raised crosswalks that naturally slow cars down. When we design for the most vulnerable users—like a child walking to school or a senior crossing Northport Drive—we make the street safer for everyone.

2. Moving the greatest number of people. Notice I didn’t say “moving the greatest number of cars.” A single bus or a dedicated bike lane can move significantly more people than a lane of single-occupancy vehicles. By prioritizing transit-oriented design and the North-South BRT, we can handle Madison’s growth without needing to pave over more of our green space.

3. Investing wisely in financially prudent infrastructure commitments. Sprawling, car-centric infrastructure is incredibly expensive to maintain over time. I believe “financial prudence” means investing in dense, walkable areas where the tax revenue per acre is high enough to actually pay for the roads and pipes serving them. Infill development is the most fiscally responsible way to grow.

4. Moving vehicles the fastest. To be honest, this is at the bottom of my list. High-speed traffic is the enemy of a complete neighborhood. While we want efficient travel, prioritizing “speed” usually comes at the direct expense of safety and local business vitality.

Question: Where in your district do you see major gaps in pedestrian and bicycle safety and the non-auto mobility network, and how would you propose to fix these gaps?

Carmella Glenn (D18): In District 18, our biggest challenge is that our main roads were designed as high-speed commuter pipes rather than neighborhood streets. To me, the most glaring gap is the Northport and Packers corridor, where crossing the street feels like a game of chicken. We need to move past simple “pedestrian flags” and install real infrastructure like HAWK signals and narrowed travel lanes that naturally slow traffic. As the North-South BRT arrives, these transit stops must become safe, protected islands where neighbors aren’t standing inches away from 50 mph traffic.

Further into the district, Woodward Drive is a wide road that runs right past Warner Park but lacks a dedicated space for the families and seniors who use it daily. I’m a strong supporter of the planned separated shared-use path there, which would finally provide a physical barrier between cars and people. Similarly, we have to finish the work on the Troy Drive Railroad Bridge. For too long, it’s been a dark, narrow bottleneck that cuts the Northside in half. By ensuring the reconstruction includes wide, separated sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides, we can finally knit our community back together.

Finally, we need to treat our trail crossings, like the Starkweather Creek Path at Aberg Avenue, with the same priority as car intersections. Adding better lighting and high-visibility green bike markings at these junctions is essential. My goal is simple: I want to build a Northside where your ability to get around safely isn’t determined by whether or not you own a car.

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