[This was originally a post at ForwardLookout in 2010]
From Nolen’s 1911 report Madison: A Model City:
What, then, are the general conclusions and recommendations that may be sorted out as of supreme importance for the future of Madison. They are:
1. To pass suitable laws for the protection of the environs of the State Capitol.
2. To acquire the property between Capitol Square and Lake Monona and adopt an appropriate plan for its development.
3. To widen and improve State Street from the Capitol to the University.
4. To establish, widen and improve the main thoroughfares in and near Madison.
5. To secure for public use the most important lake frontages with a view to the formation of a Four Lake District.
6. To inaugurate a plan for the redemption and use of all marsh land within or near the limits of Madison.
7. To forecast the future needs of the State University and more adequately provide for them.
8. To secure the improvement of the railroad approaches to the city and the gradual abolition of grade crossings.
9. To adopt a better method of locating and improving streets and making land subdivisions.
10. To remove from the public streets all wires, poles and other obstructions.
11. To pass a shade tree ordinance providing for the systematic public planting and maintenance of street trees.
12. To organize the park work of Madison under a new park law.
13. To take the existing parks of Madison as a nucleus and by supplementing them with small open spaces, larger parks and parkways, as already outlined, secure a well-balanced park system for the future.
14. To provide playgrounds and large school grounds in every residence section of the city.
15. To adopt reasonable regulations for the control of all buildings so as to differentiate neighborhoods and protect real estate values.
16. To consider methods of improving the housing of people of small means.
17. To investigate and report upon city finances for Madison as regards bond issues, current taxes, and relation to the State government.
99 years later, how are we doing?
1. The Capitol Height restriction is pretty good, and the Square is fairly well protected. I’ll say that one’s done. +1
2. Monona Terrace is done, but there’s more work to be done. Let’s call that half-done. +0.5
3. State St is in good shape. +1
4. The main thoroughfares are getting better – finish up University Ave and get started on 113 and the streets themselves are fine. Now, as for the buildings and neighborhoods on them, like East Wash, there is still lots to do. Let’s give it +0.5
5. Lake front access is still lacking, especially Mendota. +0
6. This is probably one we’d do differently today, and we’d restore some wetlands instead of draining them. +0.5
7. The UW seems to be set for the next 20 years, though I wish they’d be more explicit about what they’re going to do on the east end of campus, in the Bedford area. +1
8. Better railroad crossings. I guess check back in a year, especially on the east side. +0
9. Smarter growth. We’re still fighting sprawl, and worse, we’re hemmed in and we’re counting on our surrounding communities to fight the sprawl that Madison then has to live with. +0.
10. Eliminate overhead powerlines and telephone cables. After the criminal hackjob they did to the trees on my street, I want to give this one a -1, but I’ll hold stead at +0
11. A good tree planting ordinance. Dutch Elm and now Emerald Ash Bore has hurt us, and we’re not replacing those trees with full shade trees. +0.
12. Organize a park system. I think our parks staff is pretty good. +1
13. Create a well-balanced parkland for the future. Our fore-bearers did a good job here, and if we open Central Park we will honor their efforts by showing we can still think big in the parks. +0.5 now, +1.0 when Central Park opens.
14. Playgrounds and large school grounds in every neighborhoods. I’m honestly not sure, but I know nearly everywhere I’ve lived there’s been a playground within about 3 blocks, except for when I lived near W Mifflin. I’ll give it +1.
15. Reasonable regulations for buildings to protect neighborhoods. I suspect we’ll still be struggling with this in 2111. +0.5
16. Improve the housing of “people of small means”, ie, affordable housing. +0
17. Bond issues, taxes, and relation to state government. We got a AAA rating again, so let’s call it +1.
Total: 8.5/17 points, or 50%. Still lots to do.
