By Abigail Becker Girard
Northside News
Over 50 Northside community leaders, including business owners, school principals, Neighborhood Association and nonprofit leaders gathered Sept. 14 to share what changes they most want to see incorporated into a city plan that will guide the future of their community.
Ahead of an official kick-off meeting in November, the Northside Planning Council facilitated a meeting at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center designed to share information from city planners and gather feedback from area stakeholders.
“There’s a lot of invested Northside stakeholders who care about what’s being planned here and what the future of our community will become,” Northside Planning Council Executive Director Justin Markofski said. “The best expertise for informing and influencing the plans that (the city) will create is Northsiders who are living, working, and playing here in the community.”
The City of Madison is embarking on an 18-month planning process for the Northside. This will result in an area plan, which is a long-term vision designed to guide changes across a number of focus areas. The North Area Plan will incorporate the area bounded by the Yahara River and Cherokee Marsh to the north, Dane County Regional Airport to the east, Aberg Avenue and Maple Bluff to the south, and Lake Mendota to the west.
These plans guide the types and locations of new development and identify locations for investment in public infrastructure, including parks, schools, sewers and bike paths. Plans help prioritize what policies, programs, and investments the community wants to pursue.
During the meeting, Jeff Greger and Linda Horvath with the city’s Planning Division outlined the area plan process, expected to be approved at the beginning of 2028, and encouraged public input.
“We want to hear from you,” Greger said. “What is working on the Northside? What do you love? What needs attention? What’s not working?”
Several areas of improvement emerged from the Northside constituents in attendance, including better bus service, bike path connectivity, and pedestrian safety. Residents named Northport Drive at Sherman Avenue and School Road; and Packers Avenue at Commercial and Schlimgen Avenues as particularly challenging intersections.
Food security, diversified housing, and environmental protections surfaced also as shared priorities.
“Protecting and preserving and prioritizing the unique and irreplaceable natural resources that we have on the north side, which are coming under increased pressure from housing needs and priorities,” is top of mind for Sherman Neighborhood Association Co-chair Michelle Martin. “These resources cannot be replaced.”
In addition to shared concerns, neighbors expressed their appreciation for all the Northside offers and floated creative ideas for the future. Sabrina Hilton, co-manager of the Northside Farmers’ Market, envisions moving the market off of private property in the Northside Town Center Mall and into a new structure, potentially with solar panels, that would be a collaboration with the city’s Parks Division.
“This is a big, aspirational legacy project that I have in mind,” Hilton said.
Neighbors also expressed a desire to ensure the new North Area Plan is a cohesive document that incorporates the needs of all community members.
“I view this as a great opportunity for some really effective collaboration,” Nicole Sandler, a member of the Lerdahl Park Neighborhood Association, said. “I think everyone is here because they have a lot of Northside pride. Let’s do something really positive with that.”
For updates on the process, check the city’s project page and subscribe for
email updates: cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/plans-projects/area-plans/north
