City plans for successful State Street construction

by Megan Costello

City Reporter

Access to stores on parts of State Street will become more difficult come May with the reconstruction plan underway.

The city of Madison is doing everything possible to allow access to the 100 and 200 blocks of State Street during the first phase of reconstruction, set to begin in May. The project will feature new streets, terraces, sidewalks, bus shelters, signage, planters, benches and trashcans.

Susan Schmitz, president of Downtown Madison Inc., said the city is trying to make the reconstruction experience more positive than the construction of Johnson Street was. So far many businesses are pleased with the city’s efforts to minimize any negative aspects of construction.

A letter was sent to the mayor’s office requesting constant access to businesses located on the 100 and 200 blocks of State Street. It also called for incentives encouraging contractors to complete construction as quickly as possible. If deadlines are not met, large fines will be issued to contractors.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and various city committees have agreed to all of the proposed recommendations, according to Schmitz. The recommendations were requested for the sake of retail and locally owned State Street businesses during the reconstruction plan.

“Part of the city’s agreement with the construction was the constant access to businesses all the time,” Schmitz said.

Still, competition on State Street continues to complicate matters for storeowners, and some worry the reconstruction plan will create further problems for businesses.

“It’s difficult on people trying to make a living on State Street because the reconstruction is really the triple whammy, especially with the possible minimum-wage increase,” Ken Clary, owner of Clary’s Old Fashioned Gourmet Popcorn, said.

University of Wisconsin students agreed it would be challenging for stores to deal with issues of reconstruction and its affect on business.

“I grew up in Madison and I’ve seen how small businesses constantly have to deal with issues like large corporations moving into store space on State Street and being relocated due to the new construction,” UW freshman Kate Holoyda said.

To combat difficulties faced by storeowners during construction, the city will erect temporary kiosks where pedestrians and shoppers can view the new and upcoming street designs and find information from several ambassadors working there, Schmitz said.

“The kiosks and the ambassadors will encourage people to look around and pick up flyers,” Schmitz said. “They will show people what’s happening in the future and also allow people to see what the updates will look like.”

Despite the availability of information and the intended access to stores, the sluggish recovery of the economy has already negatively affected store sales on State Street.

Clary said his business has taken a hard hit in past years, but he is hoping to make it through the messy stages of construction.

“I see why the city is doing it, but I don’t understand why demolition could not have been done in the colder months during the winter,” Clary said.

Despite the drawbacks of construction beginning in the summer, Clary said he hopes the project will be worthwhile in the end.

Students agreed the upcoming revamping of State Street will be an exciting feature to look forward to.

“It will be interesting to see the new construction and how certain businesses survive it, but I’m sure it will be a great success in the end,” Holoyda said.