The District 3 Dispatch | Park improvements; YMCA coming to Fitchburg
As work begins on the city’s 2027 operating budget, your elected officials and city staff want to hear what your priorities are and what city services you value most.
You’ve likely heard about recent reprioritizations of resources within the police and fire departments, and you may remember that last year we restructured multiple city departments and laid off staff for the first time ever.
Just like each of our household budgets, the city is feeling the strain from inflation, as well as additional factors like state-imposed levy limits and growth. This will likely lead to some tough conversations during budget season this fall.
To help us make informed decisions, the city has put together a budget survey where you can share your thoughts on our path forward. Should we cut facility operating hours or community programs? Should we increase fees for park shelter rentals and recreation programs? Should we delay road projects? This is a great opportunity for you to make your voice heard – and it only takes a few minutes.
I hope each of you will take the time to fill out the survey, and then share it with your neighbors.
Yours in service,
-Logan
What’s “Growing” On
Here’s what’s being built in Fitchburg.
Call the Village People: the YMCA is coming to Fitchburg! The new 97,000-square-foot facility will open in 2028 at the corner of McKee Road and Spoke Drive (across from the AMC theater).
***
Veridian Homes is working on plans for two upcoming parks in the Highfield Reserve neighborhood. Both parks are proposed to include native grassland with mowed paths, fire-resistant landscaping, bench seating, and a concrete walk shortcut. The main difference is that the 1.4-acre Fahey Park (along Cobbler Road) would have one small lawn space, while the 1.3-acre Tipperary Park (along Notre Dame Drive) would have two small lawn spaces.
A future park (Monks Park) in a later phase of the neighborhood is proposed to include more amenities like play equipment and a gazebo/shade structure.
***
The new Nevin Springs Boardwalk along the Capital City State Trail is now open! The 720-foot boardwalk, located roughly a half-mile east of the EAGLE School, provides an up-close look at the artesian springs within the environmental corridor. Promega built the approximately $1 million boardwalk for public use.
An aerial view of the new Nevin Springs Boardwalk. Photo used with permission from Promega Corporation.
Working For You
Here’s how city staff and elected officials are working on your behalf to make Fitchburg a better place.
Public Works has added yellow curb paint to three areas in District 3 where drivers were parking in no-parking zones. These locations include:
Lacy Road between County Highway MM and Brassica Drive/Endive Drive at the entrance to the Terravessa neighborhood. This is the block previously converted to a bike lane that has continued to have issues with people parking there.
Sidewalk connections to Country Rose Court in the Southdale neighborhood
A temporary long-term bus stop along East Cheryl Parkway in Uptown
Reminder: Even when there isn't yellow paint, parking is prohibited in bike lanes, in bus stops, within 10 feet of fire hydrants, and within 15 feet of crosswalks!
***
Speaking of paint, the city’s logo has been added to Water Tower D. Drivers along Highway 14 now have a prominent reminder that they are passing through our growing community.
***
Research Park Drive construction work continues by the library and police facility. This project will remove the median, convert the existing angled back-in parking spaces to longer, angled pull-in parking, add angled pull-in parking for the police facility, add pedestrian accommodations, and generally improve the road.
You can still get to the city campus via Lacy Road.
***
Council Recap
On June 23, we:
Approved several resolutions and ordinances to allow a new commercial development at the corner of Fish Hatchery Road and Ochalla Drive to move forward. The new $1.3 million building will be home to the UPS Store and at least one more unnamed tenant. As part of a development incentive, we approved selling a leftover piece of city-owned land to the store’s owners for $1 to allow for a larger building design.
Approved a future land use change for a property at the southeast corner of Lacy Road and Fahey Glen from low-density residential and mixed-use to medium-high density residential.
Approved plans to renovate the tennis courts and basketball courts at Swan Creek Park. This work is expected to start and end yet this year.
Approved a contract with Houseal Lavigne to update the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning code. This process will shape the future of our city for many years to come, and there will be numerous opportunities to share your thoughts over each element’s ~18-month update period.
Our July 14 meeting was canceled.
Looking Ahead
Our July 28 Common Council meeting will include a public hearing on the alder-sponsored amendments to the 2027-2036 Capital Improvement Plan. This year, I submitted four amendments – one to reduce the scope of the city campus remodel by $2 million, one to lower the amount of money we plan to set aside each year for future equipment replacements at the new Police Services Facility, and two to correct minor clerical items. The full list of all alders’ amendments will be released late this week or early next week.
***
In August, the Parks Commission, Finance Committee, and Common Council are all scheduled to discuss plans to add park amenities in the Terravessa neighborhood. Stay tuned for more details.
Get Involved
Designs for the next-generation Kids Crossing playground at McKee Farms Park are now available, and we need your input!
Email your comments to eric.schreiner@fitchburgwi.gov with the subject line "Kids' Crossing Comments" by noon on August 5.
You can find the project designs and stay updated on key dates on the city's website.
A conceptual rendering of proposed playground improvements at McKee Farms Park.
***
The Rusty Bee Lounge is turning two! To celebrate, they are throwing a big party on Saturday, July 18, with live music, events, multiple food trucks, and giveaways. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
***
The city’s recreation department is holding a free community movie night at Southdale Park on Monday, July 27, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The movie hasn’t been announced just yet.
***
Mark your calendars for three upcoming CommUNITY dinners at Hosto Hoci, 2220 Traceway Drive.
***
Concerts at McKee have returned to McKee Farms Park for the summer! Youth band performances start at 6 p.m.; headliners take the stage at 7 p.m.
July 20 - Bumpus
August 17 - Chicago Latin Groove
***
Night markets have arrived at The Rusty Bee Lounge! Mark your calendars for the following dates:
July 23
August 27
September 24
October 22
***
Fitchburg Farmers’ Market at Agora has returned for the season! Check it out from 3-6 p.m. weekly!
***
Community Night Out 2026 has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, at McKee Farms Park.
***
Mark your calendar for the upcoming District 3 Listening Session with me, Mayor Arata-Fratta, and Alder Dantzler, Jr.
October 29, 2026
6-8 p.m.
Fire Station 3, 2950 S. Syene Rd.
***
Fitchburg Chamber Events Calendar
ICYMI
The Fitchburg Public Library just turned 15 years old! Over the past decade and a half, the library has checked out 5 million items and hosted 7,700 programs!
