Madison Media Digest: County budget, Development, Diversity

Here’s what we were reading while disassembling our bicycle

County budget

The proposed Dane County budget made news this week. Among other things, the budget did not include funding for a new county jail, but did seek upgrades for emergency communication systems. Chris Rickert praised Dane County’s work on sustainable government initiatives, especially when contrasted with Madison itself. Also this week, Shine608 Inc. pulled out of a deal with the county to offer services to homeless people after another site for a center was scrapped. Brenda Konkel points out that homelessness is way up and available services are way down.

Development

Libraries and arts space led the development news this week. A new development on the East Side will include the new Pinney Branch of the Madison Public Library as well as apartments and commercial space. The Cap Times has a photo gallery of the new Meadowood branch of Madison Public Library. The old library space will be incorporated into a new community center  Gebhardt added a performance space to a new development planned for East Washington. A development that includes a concert hall is being considered for the 800 block of East Washington Avenue. Bethel Church in downtown Madison will move its existing structure, 1896 Steensland House, from 315 N. Carroll St. to another location to make room for a brand new building. The State Journal wants the Philosopher’s Grove at the top of State Street removed because it attracts “criminal elements.”

Diversity

Sam Owens at In Business says Madison businesses need to get serious about diversity beyond just reaching out to market segments. Madison ranks 10th in the cities with the highest percent of female police officers, but new chief Mike Koval aims to boost that figure. The Madison Times previewed a new book about the Latino experience in Wisconsin.