The District 3 Dispatch | Housing Plan Approved
As we continue to find ways to address our region’s housing crisis, we now have an updated roadmap to help us chart a course forward.
Last night, the Common Council approved our city’s updated housing plan. This document provides a clear picture of the challenges we face – housing affordability, a shortage of units (especially “missing middle” options like townhomes, condos, etc.), and a lack of available land on which to build.
It also lays out policies and programs we can use to make an impact. With our $10 million affordable housing fund, we can support down payment assistance programs that help renters become homeowners, the Efficiency Navigator program that helps small landlords make efficient upgrades that save renters money on energy bills, and programs that help those with lower incomes make upgrades that keep them in their homes longer.
On the legislative side, we have some additional options. Fitchburg is already known for our relatively quick approval process compared to our neighbors, but we can still do better. For example, we could provide a “catalog” of preapproved home plans that are shovel-ready and a list of available land on which to build. I would also like to explore reducing fees for the smaller, more affordable owner-occupied housing developments that were everywhere in the post-war era but today are nowhere to be found. When the “free market” isn’t providing the options we need, that’s when we as elected officials can create policies that make those options more appealing to build.
Together, these programs can help Fitchburgers of all ages and at all stages of life. I’m eager to take them from concept to reality in the coming months and years.
Tackling the housing crisis is not just about building more homes to keep up with Dane County’s rapid growth; it’s also about building neighborhoods that bring in enough tax revenue to cover the costs of providing city services and building a strong customer base that will support local businesses. In those ways, we all do better when we all do better.
Yours in service,
-Logan
What’s “Growing” On
Here’s what’s being built in Fitchburg.
Construction of GiGi’s Playhouse’s forever home at the corner of Lacy Road and Botanical Drive is moving along. The organization recently shared a video tour of the building’s progress. They currently plan to move into the new building this fall.
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Construction continues on our new Police Services Facility. Check out the latest monthly update from FACTv.
A view of progress on the Police Services Facility as of April 15.
Working For You
Here’s how city staff and elected officials are working on your behalf to make Fitchburg a better place.
Our spring paper shredding and electronics recycling event was a big success! We collected around 11,000 POUNDS (that's 5.5 TONS) of paper, plus all of the electronics (numbers aren't immediately available). At the beginning, people were lined up in their vehicles all the way to Fish Hatchery Road, which shows just how valuable a service this is for our community.
I've always enjoyed volunteering at this event because it gives me a chance to chat with so many people from around the city (and occasionally run into some friends).
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Fitchburg’s major road reconstruction project of the year, Fitchrona Road, is set to begin in June. Due to issues with utilities and land acquisition, the project is being split in two, with the section from Nesbitt Road to Quarry Vista Drive being rebuilt in 2026 and the section from Quarry Vista Drive to Tonto Trail (including the roundabout at Lacy Road) being rebuilt in 2027.
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Speaking of road work, a new interactive map will now show you every street closure in Fitchburg – whether due to construction, an event, or something else. Check it out on the city’s website.
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Fourteen stormwater locations around the city will see prescribed burns this spring. In District 3, this includes:
Uptown North Infiltration Basin (2914 Humes Ln.)
Nine Spring Pond (south of Greenmarket Pl.)
Fahey Fields Pond & 2628 Fahey Glen
Terravessa Stormwater Facilities (throughout the neighborhood)
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After hearing concerns from gardeners about some changes to our community garden rules, District 4 Alder Micah LaDousa and I met with our parks manager to find a solution. I’m pleased to share that we landed in a good place that balances what the community expects with what city staff need to do to manage the program efficiently.
Importantly, perennials will still be able to be planted in community garden plots, and fencing/lattice can still be installed. Gardeners will need to remove these if they decide not to renew their plots. Meanwhile, staff will limit mulch deliveries and no longer till plots. Staff already made significant improvements to the plot reservation process and other administrative items.
If you’re interested in signing up for a community garden plot, applications are now open.
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Council Recap
On April 14, we:
Approved our updated housing plan (see the introduction to this newsletter).
Approved our updated urban forestry management plan.
Accepted the 2026 street resurfacing bid. In District 3, the only work planned this year is resurfacing the basketball court at Clayton Park.
Authorized a $65,000 contract to study the potential of creating a joint fire/EMS district between Fitchburg and Oregon (and possibly other communities).
Approved our spring tree planting project, which will see 263 trees planted citywide. Here’s a breakdown by neighborhood for District 3:
Fahey Fields: 6
Highfield Reserve: 34
North Park (The Addison Apartments): 4
Quarry Hill (including portions in District 4): 29
Swan Creek: 10
Terravessa: 62
On March 24, we:
Approved a final plat for the first part of the No Oaks Ranch subdivision along Central Park Place. This plat creates three buildable lots for future multi-family housing and outlots for much of the stormwater infrastructure that will serve the entire neighborhood.
Approved a final plat for the Eighth Addition to Nine Springs to create six buildable lots for future multifamily development along Stanley Park Place.
The developer anticipates extending Stanley Park Place and rerouting part of the bike/pedestrian path along the railroad tracks later this year; with other construction happening nearby, I made it clear that the developer and city staff need to work together to make sure that at least one bike/pedestrian route remains available at all times.Approved a preliminary plat for the Syncopation development between U.S. Highway 14 and County Highway MM north of Lacy Road. This plat creates 40 buildable lots for a variety of housing types.
Approved an agreement to begin designing renovations to City Hall that are scheduled to begin once the police department moves into its new facility next year.
Looking Ahead
The Parks Commission and Common Council will soon consider two concepts for improvements to Southdale Park.
Concept 1 has a two-room bathroom, 700 square-foot spray feature/splash pad, and 16'x16' shelter.
Concept 2 has a one-room bathroom, 1500 square-foot spray feature/splash pad, and 16'x24' shelter. Both propose adding two new benches and 10 new trees.
If you want to share feedback on which option you prefer (or other input), you can share it with me and the Parks Commission.
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Dane County’s resurfacing of County Highway MM from McCoy Road to John Nolen Drive, originally scheduled for this year, has been delayed to 2027.
Get Involved
April is a BUSY month for events around the city. Here are just a few that are coming up soon:
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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Terravessa Earth Day Event
Saturday, April 25, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (rain date Sunday, April 26)
Meet at Lacy and Radicchio
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Looking for a way to help out more often? Consider adopting a storm drain near your home or work.
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Senior Center Friends Annual Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, April 19, 8 a.m. to noon
Fitchburg Senior Center, 5510 Lacy Rd.
Adults $10, kids under 12 $5
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Friends of the Fitchburg Library Used Book Sale
May 7-9 at the library
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Fitchburg Farmers’ Market at Agora starts up for the season on Thursday, May 7! Check it out from 3-6 p.m. weekly!
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Yahara House Pickleball Tournament for Mental Health
Saturday, May 30 starting at 8 a.m.
McGaw Park
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Serve, Smash, and Remember: A pickleball tournament supporting the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s
June 13, noon to 4 p.m.
McGaw Park
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Fitchburg Chamber Events Calendar
One Last Thing…
One year ago today, I had the incredible privilege of being sworn in as your alder. In that time, we have accomplished a ton together.
We’ve updated our transit plan and housing plan.
We’ve worked together to improve safety at intersections.
We’ve celebrated the completion of major infrastructure projects like the South Syene Road reconstruction and the opening of Hosto Hoci.
We’ve broken ground on our new Police Services Facility (which came in more than $9 million under budget).
And we’ve welcomed new businesses like artepupp – with more, like The Hive and the UW Health/UnityPoint Health-Meriter/Lifepoint rehab hospital, on the way.
There will always be more work to do, but I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Here’s to the next year!
