City of Madison
News Release
For Immediate Release
Jul 14, 2003
For further information contact:
Melanie Conklin, Mayor's Office
266-4611
Madison � Today Mayor Dave Cieslewicz forwarded a new aesthetically improved design plan for East Washington Avenue that enhances the street for nearby neighborhoods and pedestrian traffic, but also allows the project to move forward on its original timeline.
�I�ve been hearing from many people who share my vision of East Washington Avenue as a premiere entrance to the city and want a street that is aesthetically pleasing, as well as being friendly to neighbors and pedestrians,� said Cieslewicz. �But I�m also well aware that being elected in April, I came into this project past the 11th hour and dramatically changing plans would cost the city in time and resources. So I�ve come up with an alternative.�
Cieslewicz plans to introduce this substitute plan to the Common Council for a vote Tuesday night. His new plan includes such new features as bulb-out curbs at intersections to slow outer-lane traffic, additional greenspace and improved pedestrian access. He also proposes countdown timers and colored pavement in crosswalks for pedestrian safety, increased landscaping and trees throughout the corridor for aesthetic purposes and consideration of public art for the street.
To help illustrate his points, Cieslewicz has invited Peter Park, City Planning Director in the Milwaukee Department of City Development, to give a presentation on streetscaping before Tuesday�s Common Council meeting (5:45 pm, Madison Municipal Building, Rm. 260.) Park, an adjunct assistant professor at the UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning, has developed an approach to comprehensive planning that raises community awareness of the importance of urban design.
Said Cieslewicz: �The time we took to revisit this plan was well worth it. Now, without throwing away past work or burdening the taxpayers with additional planning expense we are improving this corridor and making sure that design and land-use will be a major component of all future projects.�
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