Fiscal Note
No funds required at this time. Funding for the acquisition of a pedestrian / bike easement will be required at a later date.
Title
A SUBSTITUTE Resolution Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute agreements with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and for a permanent exchange of easement and/ or property.
Body
WHEREAS, numerous plans over the last century, including John Nolen’s “Madison, A Model City”, have called for additional connections between the Capitol and the Lake Monona shoreline; and
WHEREAS, most recently, the adopted 2012 Downtown Plan recommended that the City “expand and enhance public access and recreational opportunities to and along the Downtown lakefronts”, and;
WHEREAS, many concept plans have included a pedestrian and bike overpass (the “Overpass”) of John Nolen Drive (USH 151) and the State owned Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Right-of-Way (the “Rail ROW”) that would connect the southerly side of John Nolen Drive, Law Park and the Capital City Trail to East Wilson Street and the Capitol Loop in the general vicinity of the intersection of East Wilson Street and King Street; and,
WHEREAS, an overpass or connection of some type will reduce the need for many pedestrians and cyclists to cross South Blair Street (USH 151) and the Rail ROW which both intersect with John Nolen Drive, and greatly improve connectivity as well as pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety in the heavily traveled corridor; and,
WHEREAS, the owners of the property at 151 East Wilson Street, Madison Wisconsin (hereinafter referred to as “151 E Wilson”) have an approved development on the site; and,
WHEREAS, the owners of the property at 151 E Wilson indicated a willingness to grant an easement to the City across 151 E Wilson to facilitate the Overpass if an access to a planned underground parking at the development can be provided off of the south side (the Rail ROW side) of the building (hereinafter referred to as “151 E Wilson Re...
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