Long Range Neighborhood Plan
Creating our Future Neighborhood

Table of Contents Introduction to DMNA Long Range Neighborhood Plan Neighborhood Input Lessons From the Survey Conclusions and Recognition

Introduction to DMNA Long Range Neighborhood Plan

Since late 1995, the DMNA has been involved in a detailed long-range neighborhood planning process designed to address the future quality of life in our neighborhood. The primary goal of DMNA's plan is to develop a proactive response to the many land use and transportation issues confronting a centrally located neighborhood such as ours. To achieve that goal, the plan process has included a thorough analysis of critical issues, much discussion, and broad neighborhood participation.

The planning process has been guided by more than a dozen energetic neighborhood volunteers with professional expertise in the areas of urban and transportation planning, landscape architecture, engineering, housing design, zoning, and law. In addition, our volunteer effort has been supplemented by City staff at critical points in the process.

The complete plan (except for the maps) is available for download in .pdf or MS Word formats:

• in .pdf format
• in Microsoft Word .doc format

The maps are on their own separate maps page.

(Click here to download free Adobe Acrobat Reader software, which reads .pdf files.)

Neighborhood Input

Over the past year, several steps have been taken to ensure the broadest possible input from the neighborhood. Listed below are descriptions of these activities.

1996 DMNA Annual Meeting

Over 50 neighbors came to hear featured speaker Richard Wagner, former Dane County Board Chair and current co-chair of the Isthmus 2020 project. Neighbors also participated in facilitated brainstorming groups, in which key issues for the plan were identified.

Neighborhood-Wide Survey

Developed from results of the 1996 Annual Meeting brainstorming session, this 56-item survey was distributed to all neighbors in the June, 1996 Hornblower. The survey addressed several categories of issues, including the physical environment, neighborhood services, housing, transportation, and general neighborhood perceptions. Over 220 responses were received, representing roughly 1 out of every 5 households. Some of the things learned from the survey are listed below.

1996 Jazz in the Park Festival

At this annual event in June, follow-up surveys, displays and information were provided to neighbors for review and comment.

Business Focus Groups

These sessions in September, 1996, were facilitated by planning team members and included over a dozen Monroe St. area businesses.

1996 Monroe St. Festival Planning Charette

Over 150 neighbors participated in a day-long planning "charette" held in October, 1996 in conjunction with the Monroe St. Festival. The event invited neighbors to contribute their thoughts and feelings about key neighborhood issues, and to generate new ideas through problem solving activities.

1997 Block Captain Feedback Session

In March, a meeting was held with DMNA Block Captains to get feedback on preliminary recommendations from planning task forces.

1997 DMNA Annual Meeting

As we go to press, the featured speaker will be George Austin, City of Madison Planning Director, who will speak on the critical need for grassroots involvement in setting and maintaining the character of livable neighborhoods. Again using facilitated discussion groups, feedback from neighbors about key issues and recommendations developed by the planning team will be obtained, and will provide the basis for yet another round of revisions to the plan.

Still to Come

Further reviews by city staff are planned as well as final revisions and submission of the plan to various City Commissions and Boards for formal ratification and approval. Our goal is to complete the process before the end of 1997. Once completed and approved, donations and other funding will be sought so copies of the plan can be distributed to each household in the neighborhood.

Lessons From the Survey

From the survey we learned:

• Over 97% of the respondents consider the neighborhood to be "comfortable and livable."
• The neighborhood's physical environment receives the greatest amount of praise, especially the UW Arboretum; the neighborhood's mature trees, parks, and green spaces; Lake Wingra; and the neighborhood proximity to special city events.
• The greatest amount of negative attention concerns transportation issues such as the volume and speed of traffic through the neighborhood. On the positive side, residents gave high marks to the fact that we are served by two Madison Metro lines and the "pedestrian friendly" design of the neighborhood.
• While residents appear quite comfortable with the age and size of homes (older and smaller than newer developments in the city), there is rising anxiety about the affordability of houses in our neighborhood.
• Also of major concern to respondents is the lack of racial and ethnic diversity within the neighborhood.
• Nearly 95% of the respondents agree the Monroe St. Library is an asset we should work to keep. An almost equal number consider our local grocers to be a significant benefit.
• In terms of types of businesses, respondents showed a clear preference (over 92%) for locally owned businesses as opposed to chain stores.

Conclusions and Recognition

The plan created through this process helps shape our vision for the future of the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood. The plan not only will help guide DMNA Council decisions over the next several years, but also the city's decisions when confronted with issues affecting our neighborhood. By creating this plan, we hope not only to maintain the quality of life we hold so dear in our own neigh-borhood, but also to be a catalyst for change toward and a model for livable neighborhoods elsewhere.

Recognition needs to go to the dedicated, energetic members of the planning team whose countless volunteer hours have led to this grassroots vision of the future: Priscilla Arsove, Paula Benkart, Dan Boehm, Beth Hanen, Gail Henrikson, Tom Huber, Gil Jevne, Kurt Kiefer, Ron Locast, Patty Mullins, Carol "Orange" Schroeder, Fred Teitgen, and Char Thompson. Many thanks to all!

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Last Modified: 03-Feb-08 06:04 PM

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