Mayor's Office

Recently I announced my 2024 Executive Capital Budget and 6-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which detail my proposal for funding buildings, infrastructure, and other capital investments in Madison. The Capital Budget is one major piece of the City’s budget. Next month, I’ll introduce my 2024 Executive Operating Budget, which focuses on services, staffing and programs. This week at the City’s Finance Committee meeting you can view a briefing of the budget but I wanted to share some highlights with you here.

INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A GROWING CITY

Basic infrastructure like streets, bridges, utility lines, and traffic lights form the foundational backbone of every city. Next year’s Capital Budget infrastructure investments include -

• 5.1 million in the Water Utility for mitigating PFAS pollution in Well 15, with the possibility of additional federal support for the project through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
• $22.3 million to continue our important flood mitigation efforts. Since the 2018 flood, the City has rapidly advanced major flood mitigation projects on key streets and drainage areas.
• Over $19 million in local funding along the Lake Monona Waterfront, including over $16.5 million to reconstruct and improve the John Nolen Drive bridges, roadway, and multi-use path. The John Nolen Drive project also leverages $15 million of federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, $16.1 million in state funding from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), and $3.3 million in county funding. Another nearly $3 million is dedicated for the preliminary work to implement the Lake Monona Waterfront vision as an iconic gateway to the downtown and as an accessible and amenity rich resource for all Madisonians.
• $4.0 million for general land acquisition to ensure the City is well-positioned for future infrastructure and service expansions.
• Expanded planning funding for Amtrak service to Madison from $350,000 to $400,000. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included a landmark increase (over 500%) in passenger rail funding, with Madison identified as a critical city in the Midwest Rail Plan.

CREATING A MORE SUSTAINABLE CITY

It is more obvious than ever that we must act now to reduce climate pollution to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. That’s why my Capital Budget investments include –

• With the leadership of President Biden, the Inflation Reduction Act will provide the City with over $13 million in federal tax credits to help finance sustainability improvements to City and community facilities and electrify our fleet. This includes solar installations at the CDA’s Truax Campus and geothermal systems at multiple facilities, including the City’s first purpose-built homeless shelter on Bartillon Drive, the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, the Far West Streets Facility, and the Police Property and Evidence Facility and South District Station.
• The budget continues to enhance sustainable and responsible transportation options through expansion of the City’s bus rapid transit system by adding $143.7 million to construct the North-South line, with 90% of funding from federal Small Starts and state highway reconstruction funds, and the remainder from local general obligation borrowing and tax increment district funding. This project will run from Northport Drive to Fitchburg and includes reconstructing elements of Park Street to make it more people-centered and transit-oriented.

INVESTING IN HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS

Neighborhoods across the city will see continued investments in our parks, libraries, bike trails, and more. We also continue to invest heavily in additional housing options as Madison grows. These investments include -

• The City, through its Community Development Authority (CDA), is embarking on two transformational public-private mixed-use housing projects in South Madison and the Triangle Neighborhood. With a total estimated investment of nearly $500 million from federal and state tax credits and city funding, around 1,400 new mixed-income housing units will be developed to help preserve and expand affordable housing in the city. My budget invests $20 million of city funding to support affordable housing elements of these projects and nearly $19 million in South Madison for a new Public Health Clinic and a relocation of Fire Station 6 to improve working conditions and better serve the community.
• I am increasing our investment in affordable housing to $94.5 million over six years, an increase of over 60 percent from the 2023 Capital Improvement Plan. Additionally, the City will continue to spend $19 million over six years to help people purchase and rehabilitate homes, provide property tax relief to seniors, and support homeownership down payment assistance. We will continue to combat gentrification with $6 million in land banking funds, which permits us to plan for community needs.
• This budget continues to invest in expanding access to community facilities. The budget adds $2 million to fully fund the construction of Madison Public Library’s Imagination Center and $2 million in additional funds for the homeless shelter on Bartillon Drive.
• This budget invests in numerous multiuse paths to serve pedestrians and cyclists, including: $3.7 million for the Autumn Ridge Path in the Hiestand area; $1.2 million for a new multi-use path along Badger Road and North Rusk Avenue in the Badger Road area; and $500,000 for a new pedestrian and bike overpass of Starkweather Creek at Hermina Street in the Worthington Park area.
• This budget continues to invest in programs for affordable and equitable business access across the city, with $3 million for the Small Business and Equitable Recovery program.

You can see the full Capital Budget press briefing where I spoke about my executive budget here or virtually attend the finance committee briefings here.