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State Street redesign set to begin

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The State Street Design Project Oversight Committee met last night to discuss the future revamping of the 100 and 200 blocks of State Street.

“I have long argued that State Street needs a bit of a facelift,” said Mike Verveer, City Council president and member of the State Street Design Project Oversight Committee. “The current design [of State Street] is from the ’60s and ’70s.”

The committee has many problems with the current appearance of State Street — including street lighting, traffic signs, public right-of-way indicators (especially at intersections), bus shelters, and public art.

After a 1.5-year community-wide planning process, the Madison Common Council adopted the conceptual design plan in April 2002. The committee and planners are now preparing to enter phase one of the State Street Reconstruction. This phase includes the first two blocks of State Street.

The 100 block includes West Mifflin Street from State Street to Fairchild Street, the Dayton Street and Fairchild Street intersection, and the public spaces in the 100 block of North Carroll Street. The first block is scheduled for completion by 2005, whereas the 200 block of State Street, including the North Henry Street intersection, is scheduled to finish construction in the same year. After the first phase, it is expected that one additional block will be completed each year.

The committee is grappling with whether greater importance should be placed on the needs of the pedestrian or motorist users of State Street. So far the committee has decided that foot traffic is a higher priority.

The committee is seeking ways to improve intersections and place more bike racks. At the intersections of the first block of State Street, the committee is interested in implementing better pedestrian crossings. Also, at the intersection of Mifflin and Carroll Streets, there will be an area with granite tables and chairs.

Measures also will be taken to improve the aesthetic aspect of State Street. The new pavement will likely be a granite mosaic of four different colors. There also are plans to add new benches, trash bins, bus shelters, planters, and newspaper racks.

The cost estimate for phase one is $1.6 million for State Street and an additional $600,000 for the Carroll Street and Mifflin Street intersection improvements.

Verveer said he would encourage anyone interested in the future look of State Street to attend a public meeting regarding the most recent design proposals for the reconstruction of State Street Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Madison Senior Center on 330 W. Mifflin St.