Plans for the reconstruction of State Street were discussed Thursday night in front of a modest crowd at the Madison Civic Center.
With the current design more than two decades old, the proposed reconstruction aims to give the street a more modern atmosphere while preserving the character of the State Street district.
Major improvements are planned for both the infrastructure and the visible exterior, with emphasis on paving materials, streetlights, traffic signals, bus stops and public art.
The cornerstone of the project lies in the 100 block of State Street, directly west of the Capitol loop, with a “tabletop plaza” at the intersection of Mifflin, Carroll and State streets.
The plaza area is structured to accommodate outdoor events and heavy pedestrian traffic, as well as to provide an aesthetically pleasing area.
Project consultant Ken Saiki of Ken Saiki Designs said he hopes this new version of State Street will meet the criteria of an exceptional street after reconstruction.
“A great street is a place for escape and romance, a place to act and dream; a place to remember,” Saiki said. “We want State Street. to be considered a great street.”
Though the proposed plan was widely applauded, some objections were raised.
In April 2002, when the Madison Common Council adopted the conceptual design for the reconstruction of State Street, vehicle traffic on the street came under fire as some advocates pushed for the elimination of bus routes on the street. Concerned business owners continued to voice their opinions in strong opposition to the elimination of bus traffic Thursday night, arguing that the routes promote patronage to their establishments.
Other street users felt the new design was too commercial, and one resident went as far as to say the new design was “Disneyland in downtown Madison.”
A preliminary cost analysis for the project set the price tag around $15 million, with the majority of funds coming from federal grants and finances generated by local development programs. More accurate projections will be available by the end of 2003.
Several firms joined to form the design team for the project, including MSA Professional Services, Ken Saiki Design, ZD Studios, Public Art, KJWW, and SES.
Construction of the 100 block of State Street and parts of North Fairchild, Mifflin, and Carroll streets is scheduled to begin in 2004.
