Mifflin may be one step closer to reliving its heyday with a large-scale music sponsorship after a local production company applied for a street permit Monday.
DCNY PRO, the local production company that pulled its sponsorship of the annual Mifflin Street Block Party last week, reapplied for a permit, now partnering with WSUM 91.7.
The event production company previously agreed to sponsor the party but withdrew its bid after the Wisconsin Union Directorate voted it would not be involved.
If approved Wednesday by the Madison Street Use Staff Team, the street-use permit would give sponsors the right to close the 400 and 500 blocks of West Mifflin Street, along with the 10 to 100 blocks of North Bassett Street, where a stage would be built at the corner of Bassett and Mifflin Streets, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.
“Based on my conversations with (University of Wisconsin) Dean of Students Lori Berquam and with the mayor as late as [Monday night], I’m very optimistic we have the pieces in place and the money in-hand from sponsors to make this happen,” Verveer said.
DCNY PRO co-owner David Coleman confirmed Monday they are moving forward with their involvement in the event and have several sponsors lined up but declined to provide further details.
“We’re trying to still make it happen,” Coleman said. “We think we have a good shot at it.”
After closed-door meetings with city officials, Verveer said they are nearing a deal that will involve the city issuing a permit for Mifflin for the first time since 1995.
Verveer said WSUM would provide music programming on the stage between noon and 7 p.m. if the permit is approved. The potential permit holder, DCNY PRO, would be required to insure the event and be in charge of coordinating any further vendors, such as food or T-shirt stands, along with contracting for portable toilets.
Dave Black, administrative program manager at WSUM, said after discussions with the city Monday, “it’s pretty much going to happen.”
WSUM has agreed to provide DJs for the event on stage as well as coordinate security for the stage area.
“It’s really one of those win-win scenarios that you look for in life; we’re a radio station that can do something good for the community that all comes together for a day,” Black said.
Verveer said if the proposal passes, no more city funds would be involved except for cleanup and extra police presence.
He added if the event is sponsored, alcohol consumption would still be restricted to non-glass containers on private property, not allowing partygoers to drink in front of the potential stage.
“The police were not interested in a discussion of allowing alcohol on public property, so the rules that we’ve dealt with last year remain the same,” Verveer said. “If you’re 21, you can have aluminum cans on the street but can’t pop that open until you’re on private property.”
Verveer will hold his annual neighborhood meeting for the Mifflin residents with police and fire officials Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Madison Senior Center.
