Monona Roundup: Park Design Recommended, $12.25M TIF Request Pending
The Monona Parks and Recreation Board has recommended two capital budget amendments, including funding for conceptual design services for a proposed city park at the Green Line Development. Meanwhile, the Community Development Authority is weighing a $12,250,000 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) request for the Greenline redevelopment. Minutes for recent meetings are not yet published, so outcomes for most items remain unrecorded.
Development and TIF Requests
Galway Companies, Inc. has submitted a redevelopment proposal and a $12,250,000 TIF assistance request for the two-phase Greenline residential project at Gisholt Drive and West Broadway. The Community Development Authority met on July 17 to discuss and possibly act on the request, but minutes are not yet available. The City Council and Finance & Personnel Committee also listed a development agreement with Galway Companies for a mixed-use project at West Broadway and WPS Drive on their July 6 agendas, though no outcomes are recorded.
Parks and Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Board met on July 15 and made two budget amendment recommendations. One recommends funding for conceptual design services for a proposed city park at the Green Line Development on Broadway at the WPS site, with the money to come from TIF. The other recommends using parkland dedication fees to fund baseball field improvements, including batting cages, at Ahuska Park. The board also received a request for an Eagle Scout project to landscape the Winnequah West entrance. Minutes for this meeting are not yet published.
Licensing and Permits
The License Review Committee met on July 14 to consider the renewal application for El Gallo LLC's Class B liquor and fermented malt beverage licenses. The committee also reviewed amplified device permits for events, including the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival and Trivia Nights at Breakwater Monona, LLC. A new Class B fermented malt beverage license application from Monona Lodging LLC (AmericInn) was also on the agenda. Minutes are not yet published.
Other Committee Discussions
- **Community Media Committee (July 9):** Discussed 2027 capital budget items, including a $57,700 Municipal Room audio update, a $6,500 radio station control board replacement, $4,300 for remote video broadcast updates, and $1,800 for remote radio broadcast updates. Minutes not published.
- **Mass Transit Commission (July 8):** Reviewed the first-quarter ridership report and discussed the 2027 capital budget for benches and bus shelters. Minutes not published.
- **Ad Hoc Comprehensive Plan Committee (July 14):** Discussed corridor segment recommendations and draft comprehensive plan issues. Minutes not published.
Coming Up
- **City Council (July 20):** Will vote on Resolution 26-7-2908 for the Galway Companies development agreement, and capital budget amendments for Ahuska Park baseball field improvements and Dream Park shelter repairs.
- **Finance & Personnel Committee (July 20):** Will review a $26,471.50 home improvement loan request for 5509 Brandt Place and several budget amendments.
- **Landmarks Commission (July 21):** Will discuss and consider action on a Dane Arts Project Grant application.
- **Library Board (July 21):** Will elect officers and discuss an HVAC project scheduled for September through December, along with a consent agenda including $4,184.41 in bill payments.