The University of Wisconsin and the City of Madison are slated to begin construction on a redevelopment of the 700 and 800 block of State Street and Library Mall at the end of 2013.

According to Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, the goal of the project is to update the underground utilities, which are nearly 40 years old, and to “give the whole area a facelift.” The revamping has a budget of $550,000 for planning the reconstruction and $4.9 million for the reconstruction itself, he said. 

Resnick said the central planning of the reconstruction area will focus on the street-scape and will be redesigned for better use by pedestrians and bikes.

Construction should be finished by the end of 2014, Resnick added.

According to a City of Madison statement, the reconstruction of the “iconic” area will attempt to honor the history of the location.

However, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the space, which has been a main gathering space for the campus, should be updated and aesthetically improved from its current tired, worn, 1970s look. 

Resnick said the plans for reconstruction will allow for bicycles to be ridden through Library Mall and will continue to allow food carts to vend in the area.

In an effort to involve the community, Resnick added that the city will hold listening sessions in order to gain input on specific elements of the design.

Verveer, a member of the State Street Design Oversight Committee which is facilitating the area’s reconstruction said the committee will attend the public information meeting in order to hear the feedback from students and other community members.

Among many ideas, Verveer noted he would like to improve the connection to Bascom Hill, and the stairs leading to the Mosse Humanities Building. He added the area could also better accommodate food carts with electrical outlets.

He said he is unsure of whether they will decide to keep the podium structure, or find another way for people to express their First Amendment rights.

“My main thought going into our design
process is that we do not screw anything up and that we build on the
successes that Library Mall has,” Verveer said.

A public information meeting will be held April 23 7-9 p.m. in the Memorial Union’s 1924 Reception Room, the statement said.