Madison Media Digest: Homelessness, Education and Buildings & Business

Here’s what we were reading while celebrating Umoja Magazine’s 25th anniversary. 

Homelessness

The City Council issued a final rejection of a proposed downtown loitering ordinance, which would have limited the time people (and especially homeless people) could sit on sidewalks or benches. Brenda Konkel’s attempt to direct homeless people evicted from the City Council Building to a spaced owned by the Madison Cathedral Parish was met with “No Trespassing” signs. Konkel says the effects of the eviction of homeless people from the City County Building have been devastating already. Residents of the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood raised some concerns about putting a homeless day shelter on East Washington. Brenda Konkel provided a running account of the meeting. One neighborhood resident welcomes the day center, pointing to the success of the Tiny Houses Village on the East Side.

Education

Madison schools policy would be in conflict with a state law seeking to prevent transgender students from using the bathroom that matches their gender identity. West High’s homecoming court will be gender neutral. East High brought back its homecoming parade. The first cohort of a program designed to diversify the teaching staff of Madison schools are excited about the program. MATC is going to voters in its attempts to develop a campus in South Madison. Kaleem Caire discussed the importance of early childhood education.  Lake View Elementary debuted a mural focused on the school’s culture and student aspirations. 

Buildings & Business

Exact Sciences Corporation, which is at the center of a $200M downtown development that includes more than $60M in public funds, saw its stock price tumble after a federal panel did not list the company’s test for colorectal cancer as one of the preferred options. Some pointed to the stock’s collapse as they renewed their criticism of decision to fund the development. Others said this was not time to overreact. Madison needs 1,000 new apartment units a year to keep up with growing demand. A developer wants to build 46 units of affordable housing on West Mifflin Street downtown. A study confirms retail businesses are declining on State Street, replaced by restaurants and services, but is that a problem? Local tech firms are trying to grow more diverse. A Sunday Farmers’ Market has now sprouted up on the Capitol, this one unaffiliated with the DCFM. A house on West Lawn Avenue turns out to have been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Shoe Slide in Vilas Park now has a sign explaining its history.