Madison is slotted to receive $1 million from the federal government for the city’s State Street renovation.
“This is a wonderful holiday present for State Street,” said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the funding as part of the Fiscal Year 2002 Transportation Appropriations Bill. The funding needs approval from the U.S. Senate and President Bush.
The bill passed Friday in the House and was supported by U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. Baldwin said she was ecstatic about the opportunity to assist Madison and the redevelopment of State Street.
“I’m very, very pleased to have helped secure these funds for State Street revitalization project,” she said. “State Street has always been such a focal point of downtown Madison. These funds will help ensure its vibrancy in the years to come.”
The funds would help implement the State Street Strategic Plan, which would improve streetscape and pedestrian amenities, circulation, intersections, signage system and select open spaces.
Specifically, the funds will go toward architectural planning of the redesign, Verveer said.
“In 2002 the money will go toward hiring a firm to do the construction drawings and construction will begin in Spring 2003,” Verveer said.
The funds are essential to the project’s completion.
“Clearly, I am pleased,” Verveer said. “Frankly, the city would not be able to redesign State Street if it wasn’t for federal money.”
Verveer said the city expected to receive funds from the federal government; however, the expected funds would require matching funds from the city. The funds allotted Friday do not require matching funds.
“[The funds] are earmarked for State Street re-design, so it is a guaranteed million where the city doesn’t have to provide matching funds,” Verveer said.
The federal government is in the process of allotting all funding through the Appropriations Committees. Cities, or groups within cities, request funds, and congressmen have to sift through requests and make decisions.
In a previous interview, Baldwin press secretary Jerilyn Goodman said Baldwin receives numerous requests for funding.
“We get requests for many projects from many places, and it’s up to the congresswoman what she wants to prioritize,” Goodman said.
Senate approval for the bill is expected shortly, as is approval from the president.