The Urban Design Commission attempted to fit tentative city plans, including the Madison High-Speed Rail Station and parts of the Downtown Plan, into the actual city atmosphere during their Wednesday meeting.
Members of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation who are working on plans for the Madison High-Speed Rail Station presented tentative renderings to the commission. The group considered what the station should mean to both the patrons and the city as a whole.
WISDOT hired Greg Uhen, who presented the renderings and the station’s status to the commission, to help with the station’s architecture. He and WISDOT Environmental Planner Carrie Cooper outlined the plan for the station.
The main premise for the floor, Uhen said, is to get the public to the boarding platform, which is on the ground level of the station.
Uhen also stressed efficient passenger flow, saying the very nature of a train station depends upon punctual arrival and departure times.
However, Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, said older train stations have had a certain “presence”. They have been places, she said, where passengers can meander while waiting for their trains.
Rummel, a member of the commission, said she wondered if the Madison High Speed Rail Station is part of a new trend of train stations focused on getting passengers in and out quickly, rather than fostering a train station experience.
Donna Brown of WISDOT said the station and the High-Speed Rail project is at budget.
The Madison High Speed Rail Station was not the only plan the commission heard last night.
Principal Planner Bill Fruhling brought forth several recommendations from the Downtown Plan including renovations to the Mifflin neighborhood, more green spaces in the city and a connection between the Lakeshore path to James Madison Park.
“One thing we found out, everybody has a very strong opinion about the future of this area,” Fruhling said.
The plan for the Mifflin neighborhood includes renovating, moving and demolishing structures. The plan also includes an urban lane parallel to West Washington Avenue and West Mifflin Street to open up renovation opportunities.
The commission nodded to Mifflin Street’s historical roots while acknowledging renovation may be needed.
Commission member Mark Smith said the street has provided an outdoor room for the rallies and events Mifflin Street used to host, but did say there are structures in a poor state of repair.
Commission member Melissa Huggins said the area around West Washington Avenue and Mifflin Street is very village-like. She added buildings should be able to build higher.
Fruhling also proposed connecting the paths that run down the Lake Mendota Shoreline to the Memorial Union and James Madison Park.
If the path comes to fruition, it could connect with another path in the Downtown Plan: The Langdon Mid-Block Pedestrian Walkway, which would stretch from Langdon Street. to Lake Mendota.
While there were several proposed parks and green spaces, there was only one for Madison’s canine inhabitants – renovations to the Broom St. Gateway dog park.
“Let’s keep the dog park, but make it a really cool dog park,” Fruhling said.
