North Sherman and the generation gap

It's been a week since they finished re-striping Sherman Avenue and everyone seems to have adjusted just fine. There's no gridlock, the side streets aren't full of speeding Waunakeeans, turning left onto or off Sherman is no more trouble than before. As far as I can tell, the only people truly inconvenienced are those who felt entitled to speed down Sherman at 40 miles an hour.

But that hasn't stopped former Ald. Dorothy Borchardt and the Northside Business Association from continuing to bloviate over email and talk radio. You might have noticed the "No TWLTL" buttons for sale at some store counters. They've raised money to contract for an "independent" study they're releasing next week.

It seems like this issue breaks down along generational lines, with older residents more opposed and younger residents more supportive. As one of those supportive younger residents, I'd like the folks fighting this to think a bit more about who's going to buy their homes.

It's a fact: younger Americans are driving less. We don't measure livability in lane-miles like our parents' and grandparents' generations did. We'd like the option to walk, bus, or bike around town.Making Sherman Avenue better for pedestrians and bicycles makes our neighborhood more attractive to younger homebuyers. A more attractive neighborhood has higher demand, and higher demand leads to higher house prices.

For someone well into their post-retirement years who has a lot of wealth tied up in their home, it's worth thinking about.

R&B @ Warner Park is dead, long live the Mallards!

First off, I have to recognize the Mallards and their GM Vern Stenman for their proposal to continue Fourth of July fireworks in Warner Park. It's a credit to their organization that they stepped up so soon after Wednesday's announcement of Rhythm & Booms being moved downtown. Despite reports to the contrary, the Mallards' announcement did manage to defuse much of the tension at last night's meeting.

That said, there was still a lot of anger in the room. I give Alds. Palm and Weier credit for keeping their cools and shutting down a few outbursts of outright hostility. But the crowd wasn't buying the official line that this was strictly Madison Festivals' call.

And I don't think the crowd was wrong.

Quick Rhythm & Booms Recap

It's hard to say exactly how much to chalk up to what -- cloudy weather, the move to a work day, cutting back the extras -- but measured by the Mayor's officially stated goals, last night's Rhythm & Booms was a huge success. Compared to the last few years, it was safer, less of a regional draw, and less disruptive to the neighborhood. If those were the real concerns, I think we can go ahead and pencil it in for next year.

We'll find out soon enough if that's the case, or if the folks trying to shut down Rhythm & Booms are going to yank the goalposts again. Two weeks from today -- July 18th -- at 6 p.m. at WPCRC. I'll be there.

Dorn closing is a sign...but of what?

Today's State Journal announced what most of us in the neighborhood have known all week, that Dorn Hardware is closing their Northgate store after 51 years. There have been rumors that a major tenant would be leaving ever since the North Sherman safety project was announced, but the rumors usually identified Frugal Muse rather than Dorn.

I've sort of been expecting a "we told you so" message from the Northside Business Association, but there's been nary a peep all week from anyone, not even on the Northside listserv. Of course, that hasn't stopped the idiots who comment on Madison.com from speculating that the upcoming street reconfiguration has already killed off Dorn Hardware. Has it really?

Tom Dorn, heir to the family business, doesn't seem to think so.

Election day Tuesday...woo-fricking-hoo

Updated 3/31, see below.

Guess what, Tuesday is (yet another) election day and boy am I not at all excited. As much drama as there's been this particular election season, most of the actual races are snoozers and it's been hard for me to get worked up about any of the folks on the ballot (excluding my boss...I'd rather not work for a guy who thinks I'm a rat on a sinking ship, thank-you-very-much!).

From city council to school board, circuit judge to state supreme court, there isn't a whole lot to inspire Northside voters.

Rhythm & Booms grudgingly allowed to continue

After some discussion and a push to cancel the event, Rhythm & Booms is moving ahead for this summer. The city agreed to contribute $55,000 in police and other services, but will require organizers to cover costs above that amount.

To provide some context, that is 3% of the subsidy Madison taxpayers provide to the Overture Center, for an event that draws as many people in one night as Overture's free community events do over the entire year.

A better North Sherman...this summer!

Updated 2/18

Last fall, Ald. Rhodes-Conway held a community meeting to discuss residents' problems with North Sherman Avenue. The city's traffic engineering department has completed its report to recommend Sherman be reconfigured with bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and two auto traffic lanes plus a center "TWLTL" turning lane.

Rhodes-Conway is already charging ahead, having introduced the plan last week on a fast track to committee review and approval. Reading my earlier post, you'd probably think I approve, and you'd be right...mostly. It still needs a bit of work.