Madison in Transition

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Madison’s downtown area was a thriving urban center. People went downtown to shop, to socialize, to conduct business and participate in government. Everyone-- resident, business or property owner, student or government staff-- appreciated the diversity and unique sense of place Madison offered. In the 1970’s the expansion of the suburban areas saw a decline in the vibrancy and growth of the downtown. As new shopping malls were built on the outskirts of town, the core of the city began to decay. It was at this time that a committee of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce was formed to address the needs of the downtown: the Central Madison Committee. In the 1980’s the committee became an independent organization, Downtown Madison, Inc: DMI.

DMI has tackled a diverse range of issues affecting our downtown. We produce events to bring traffic and a sense of community to the central city. Our committees bring many perspectives to many discussions. We advocate in countless ways for the success of our downtown as the crown jewel of our region.

At this time, people with diverse ideas are recognizing the strength of a healthy downtown. However diverse the ideas, we have seen agreement that safety, authenticity, and vitality are the reasons individuals and businesses choose to invest time and money in our central city. The increasing movement of baby boomers, retirees, and young urban professionals to downtown Madison has pushed the condo market to new heights. As more people become aware of the benefits of working and living downtown, more opportunities are needed for entertainment. The entertainment opportunities must be diverse, serving all sectors of the growing downtown employee and resident populations.

The passage in 2007 of the Alcohol License Density Ordinance (ALDO) provided the Madison Alcohol License Renewal Commission (ALRC) a tool to guide the growth of entertainment options. DMI supported the passage of this ordinance and now seeks to create proactive tools to give all stakeholders a voice in the future of our shared social spaces. The next step in this process is a facilitated Hospitality Zone Assessment (HZA) gathering the knowledge and skills of leadership from four areas: community, development, safety and hospitality. The Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) has extensive experience in facilitation and strategy development in the area of hospitality management. RHI will assist us as we create a new tool to provide downtown Madison with sound practical management strategies that will carry us into the next phase of growth and success.