Madison Central Business Improvement District (BID) Board of Directors, March 4

The agenda for this meeting can be seen here: www.cityofmadison.com/cityhall/publicmeetings

Main items:

• Recap of March 2 Property Owner Update meeting that reviewed 2009 and highlighted upcoming events and issues in 2010 (an article regarding this meeting was in the Mar 3 edition of the Badger Herald)
• Discussion of the Alcohol License Density Ordinance (ALDO) - The BID opposes ALDO because it makes it extremely difficult for property owners to secure tenants that are "bars." The BID is attempting to amend ALDO and is encouraging it not to be renewed in October, when it is scheduled to sunset. There was further discussion of this at the Mar. 4 ALRC Subcommittee on Downtown Alcohol Issues and Ordinances. That subcommittee is considering amendments proposed by the BID and will vote on two amendments at the next meeting, in approx. 4 weeks. The two amendments concern repealing the "365 day rule" and altering the definition of "exceptional circumstances" so it is easier for entertainment establishments to get liquor licenses. If you have any questions about this, please let me know, there are a lot more details.
• Approval of 2010 Budget
• Discussion of installation of 'Pay by space' parking meters - visitors will be able to pay for meters with credit cards. Installation starts next week and will begin in the Buckeye parking lot.
• Peace Park - construction will begin this month and last until approx. September

Let me know if you have any questions!

Central Madison Business Improvement District (BID) Board

The BID Board met on Thursday, Feb 4th. It was a lengthy meeting concerning several issues, including:

• 2009 Year in Review, 2010 Forecast
• Review of Assessment Methods for the BID (All property owners within the BID pay extra taxes that funds the BID - streetscape, planters, marketing, etc.)
• Review of Recommended Amendements to the Alcohol License Density Ordinance (ALDO) - This ordinance regulates the issuance of liquor licenses to new businesses. The Board is advocating abolishing the ordinance or making it more flexible. If you have any questions about this, please let me know.

More importantly to students, we also had a presentation on summer construction plans by the City of Madison Engineering Dept. Major projects include:

• Broom St - both lanes, from Doty to Johnson St, will be closed all summer
• Observatory Dr and Langdon St in front of the Memorial Union
• Sidewalk improvements around the Capitol Square, all summer
• Intersection of Park St and University Ave, most of summer but with lanes open
• 200 block of West Gilman
• Peace Park construction on State St - March to Sept.

The City's Engineering Dept. website (www.cityofmadison.com/engineering) will have more information on summer projects in the next few weeks.