[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Madison's troubled and sometimes dangerous Peace Park, located at State and West Gilman streets, will soon be seeing major improvements after the Board of Estimates voted unanimously Monday to move renovations up one year.

According to City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, Peace Park has not had a very favorable reputation in recent times due to the periodic violent attacks that have been reported in the area. He hopes the renovations, however, will be changing that within the year.

"In 2003 and 2004, we came up with a consensus approach to renovating that troubled park in the heart of our downtown," Verveer said.

He proposed to his fellow board members to move the Peace Park renovation project up a year to coincide with construction that is scheduled on other parts of State and Gilman streets.

"As most of you are aware, we are reconstructing the five and six hundred blocks of State Street next year," Verveer said. "We're also reconstructing West Gilman, adjacent to that area. I would argue that there are some economies of scale, hopefully, we can achieve if we move … the Peace Park plan up a year."

Verveer argued that if the plan was moved forward, Madison would be able to use "the same contractors … from the State Street project," possibly saving the city money.

Verveer also said he thinks the renovation plans will help solve some of the public safety problems that plague Peace Park.

Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, agreed and said Peace Park is "long overdue for an overhaul," and that he is "really excited to see where Peace Park goes."

According to Verveer, a committee already exists to work on fundraising for the park renovations.

"Part of this plan includes a small visitors' center and a restroom area, and that would be funded at this point … through all private contributions and not city financing of that building," Verveer said.

Judge also detailed some of the ideas for the renovation, which include multiple levels with a terrace, a stage, and chess boards set out for the public. He also said they are working on maintainable grass fixtures for the park, and getting movable furniture that would be stored at night.

"It is such a great asset to the downtown," Judge said. "People recognize that there's a need for some kind of improvement."