With Halloween only two weeks away, city officials and student groups are working to finalize plans for the annual celebration.

The Street Use Staff Team gave “conceptual” clearance Wednesday to the University of Wisconsin’s Associated Students of Madison for street-permit usage during Halloween weekend.

The permit approves usage on the 300 through 700 blocks of State Street for Friday Oct. 29 setup and Saturday Oct. 30 activities.

According to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, the committee claimed ASM’s application lacked specifics and wanted further details as to timing and placement of events.

“They conceptually approved the plans. There was nothing negative about the application but they were hesitant to give a final approval until detailed information was available,” Verveer said.

ASM member Dan Hudson represented the group during the meeting. He sent an e-mail with specific details for the Saturday events to the committee. The full details and specifics for the street permit were then conceptually approved, according to Hudson.

The hesitancy to grant approval for the permit was coupled with the unexpected appearance of LaMarr Billups, Chancellor John Wiley’s special assistant, before the committee, he said.

Hudson said Billups stated at the last Halloween planning committee meeting the university did not approve of a costume contest extending past dark.

“They didn’t say that at the last meeting, they left it to the 12th hour,” Hudson said.

Hudson said overall the university had been consistent with ASM plans but the last-minute opposition to the late-night costume contest is frustrating.

“I don’t think it’ll be a problem in the end; our plans are complete,” Hudson said.

According to Verveer, UW disapproved of Library Mall events last year and their disapproval this year was predictable.

But the use of a PA system with speakers was approved, Hudson said.

Matt Rink, ASM summer chair for the Halloween 2004 campaign, said ASM still has to talk with State Street businesses regarding speaker and wire placements. ASM has not yet contacted the owners of the buildings that will mount the speakers, but the group has a general idea where the speakers will be located.

“We’ve bargained so much that they couldn’t not have given it to us,” Rink said. “But overall the city has been very good with us.”

ASM has planned events such as hayrides, trick-or-treating and costume contests for children Saturday, as well as college-oriented activities beginning that night at 9. Kristina Mueller, ASM Halloween Chair, said members of the Greek system have offered to volunteer Saturday.

Two stadium-lighting trucks that will illuminate the 200 block of State Street to Library Mall are a new addition to this year’s festivities. The $16,000 trucks will sit at the University Inn parking lot.

Madison Gas and Electric, the city of Madison and UW will split the costs.

“The city tried to compare Halloween to Mardi Gras, because Mardi Gras has an ending event,” Mueller said. “They’re bouncing this idea off of that.”

Mueller said next year ASM may try to tackle bigger issues that did not pass this year.

ASM still wants to see bars and restaurants stay open later and would like a live band to play on Library Mall.