TESTIMONIAL "We needed to update State Street, the City of Madison's most recognizable and unique thoroughfare. MSA helped us develop and implement a reconstruction plan that was flexible, durable, and timeless, while taking into account the business owners' concerns." --Bill Fruhling, AICP, Principal Planner, Steve Gohde, PE, Project Engineer, City of Madison

State Street State Street Mall Reconstruction Madison, Wisconsin CHALLENGE The City of Madison desired a comprehensive design for State Street, which is Madison's most identifiable street. Key problems with the existing conditions include the tired, dated and cluttered appearance of State Street, its inflexibility to accommodate change, paving materials that have not aged well and require a high degree of maintenance, poor growing conditions for street trees, and conflicts between service vehicles and bikers, pedestrians, and outdoor cafe patrons. The Overture Center for the Arts was being constructed in the project area, which required upgrades to the infrastructure. SOLUTION The project reconstructed State Street from the Capitol Square to West Johnson Street and the streets around the Overture Center for the Arts. Aesthetics and public art is a large part of the design. MSA coordinated with the Overture Foundation and business owners along State Street to provide a design that will complement the State Street character. The design has four strategic approaches 1) to make the street environment as "flexible" as possible, 2) to make it "timeless" and not overly trendy, 3) to make it durable and easy to maintain, and 4) to make it sustainable. Construction was complete in the summer of 2005.

Images
State Street	State Street	Bus Shelter
Benches	Light Pole	Planters
Tiles	Kiosk	Sidewalk View of State Street