April 2015
www. epa. gov/smartgrowth
United States, Y
E n vi ro n m e rlta I Wot&p'
Agency ^ ,
MADISON, WISCONSIN
Office of Sustainable Communities
Smart Growth Program

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litf
GREENING
AMERICA'S CAPITALS
Greening America's Capitals is a U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) program to help state capitals develop
an implementable vision of distinctive, environmentally
Smart Growth friendly neighborhoods that incorporate innovative
green infrastructure strategies. In collaboration with the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
and the U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) through
the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, EPA provides
design assistance to help support sustainable communities
that protect the environment, economy, and public health
and to inspire state leaders to expand this work elsewhere.
Greening America's Capitals will help communities
consider ways to incorporate sustainable design strategies
into their planning and development to create and
enhance interesting, distinctive neighborhoods that have
multiple social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Madison, Wisconsin, was chosen in 2013 as one of four state
capital cities to receive this assistance, along with Lansing,
Michigan; Montpeliei; Vermont; and Olympia, Washington.
More information about Greening America's Capitals
is at www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/greencapitals.htm.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS:
All photographs and graphics were either created by or the rights are owned by the Vireo andToole Design Group team.

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Acknowledgments
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Clark Wilson, Office of Sustainable Communities
Christopher Choi, EPA Region 5
CITY OF MADISON STAFF TEAM
William Fruhling, Project Manager; Planning Division
Natalie Erdman, Interim Director of Planning and
Community and Economic Development (PCED)
Greg Fries, Engineering Division
Judy Olson, Finance Department
Agustin Olvera, Housing Operations
Anne Monks, Mayor's Office
Kay Rutledge, Parks Division
Rebecca Cnare, Planning Division
Jule Stroick Planning Division
Kim Alan, Police Department
Scott Langer,Traffic Engineering Division
CONTRACTOR DESIGN TEAM:
VIREO
Stephen Rhoades, Principal
Matthew Schoell-Schafer; ProjectTeam Manager
Robin Fordyce, Associate Designer
TOOLE DESIGN GROUP, LLC
Tom Huber; Senior Planner
Kevin Luecke, Senior Planner
Ian Lockwood, Livable Transportation Engineer

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Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
PROJECT AREA ASSESSMENT
DESIGN OPTIONS
NEXT STEPS, KEY PARTNERS, AND
POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES
in
1
5
7
12
26

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iii
Executive Summary
The city of Madison, Wisconsin, selected the Triangle
neighborhood and Brittingham Park for a project
examining potential design improvements that make
the neighborhood and park more accessible to
pedestrians and cyclists and clean the stormwater
runoff before it reaches Lake Monona through
the use of more plants and trees. The Monona
Bay neighborhood, adjoining Brittingham Park was
also part of the initial site assessment.The project
area was chosen because of its close proximity to
downtown, a major university, jobs, public transit,
and a lakefront park as well as its diverse population
and potential municipal-institutional partnerships.
The area faces several challenges such as busy
roadways, wide and unsafe pedestrian crossings,
immigrant and disabled populations, lack of visual
connection to the surrounding neighborhood
and downtown, and environmental and water
quality issues of Monona Bay.The city requested
help from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) Greening America's Capitals
Program to explore design solutions that could
help protect water quality while improving quality
of life and bringing other community benefits.
In September 2014, the EPA project team held
a three-day workshop in the project area to
engage stakeholders, residents, and business
owners. During the workshop, the project
team developed multiple design options for five
focus areas within the larger project area.
The design options meet the community's goals
of makng it easier for people of all abilities to get
around within the neighborhood as well as reach
other parts of the city. They also provide strategies to
improve water quality in Monona Bay by capturing
and cleansing stormwater while creating a distinctive
and memorable entry to the neighborhood.
The design options support the community and
city staff's efforts to provide more recreational
activities such as community gatherings and boat
rentals.These options are summarized as follows:
1)	East Campus Mall Extension:To create the
lake-to-lake connection and enhance the visual
organization oftheTriangle neighborhood, the
team's design reconfigured the parking
lot and green space to create a defined central
open space along with a wide pedestrian way
connecting the existing campus mall to the
north with Brittingham Park to the south.
2)	West Washington Avenue:To improve
pedestrian safety, the team's design
used of bump-outs and midblock crossings
to create safe pedestrian crossings and
pedestrian and bicycle paths to enhance the
multimodal aspect of West Washington.
3)	Intersection of West Washington and South
ParkStreetTo create a defined gateway and
improve pedestrian safety at this intersection, the
team's design modified the intersection to safely
safely combine pedestrian, bicycle, and
vehicular traffic while providing space for
green infrastructure and public art.
4)	Intersection of West Washington and Regent
StreetTo create a defined gateway into
the capital district and enhance pedestrian
safety at this large intersection, the team's
design used of a roundabout to slow traffic
down and lessen the distance pedestrians
must to travel to cross the road.
5)	Brittingham Bath House / Beach Area:To
maximize the opportunity this area has to
further rejuvenate positive activities within the
lake and neighborhood, the team's design
would rebuild the bath house to include many
sustainable features along with programming
features, such as heated outdoor spaces and
concessions, that could extend the public
use of this facility into the winter.
The report concludes with near-, mid-, and long-term
actions that could catalyze improvements, as well
as potential funding sources for implementation.

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1
Introduction
Madison, Wisconsin'sTriangle neighborhood is an
ethnically and culturally diverse community near Lake
Monona. In the 1960s, an urban renewal project
razed a traditional, ethnically and culturally diverse
neighborhood and replaced it with public housing
buildings (one- and two-story townhomes and a high-
rise apartment building) and parking lots that left little
open space.The residents are mostly lower income.
A hospital, office building, and small grocery store are
located on the western edge of the neighborhood.
The Triangle neighborhood looks and feels like an
isolated island surrounded on all sides—South Park
Street to the west, Regent Street to the north, and
West Washington Avenue to the southeast—by
high-volume streets that act as barriers to the
neighborhood.The crossings at the three major
intersections are very wide, with long distances
through vehicular traffic that pedestrians must
cross.These long distances make for difficult and
unsafe crossings, especially for the disabled, elderly,
and those with children. Currently, the only way
forTriangle neighborhood residents to get to
Brittingham Park safely is a narrow pedestrian bridge
that is not accessible per the standards outlined
in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The neighborhood has only a few small, disparate,
open spaces tucked between buildings, roads, and
parking lots. Brittingham Park is an attractive but
underused park along Lake Monona. The city recently
reopened a park shelter that rents boats and installed
community gardens for residents of the Triangle
neighborhood. Despite these efforts, the park is still
not well integrated into neighborhood residents' lives.
The city requested assistance from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Greening
America's Capitals Program to help develop
ideas to improve the Triangle neighborhood and
Brittingham Park EPA provided technical assistance
through a team of consultants: Vireo andToole
Design Group, Inc.The project team made an initial
visit to Madison to meet with city staff and local
stakeholders and collect data on the neighborhood
and surrounding areas. The team then organized a
three-day design workshop where a set of design
options were created for the Triangle neighborhood
and Brittingham Park City staff intends to use these
options to spur further planning for the Triangle
neighborhood and Brittingham Park The options
are primarily rooted in two design strategies:
complete streets and green infrastructure.
• Complete streets are streets designed to be
safe and comfortable for everyone—drivers,
pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. A
complete street allows people of all ages
and abilities to use streets safely by creating
pleasant sidewalks and safe crossings while
accommodating all types of transportation,
including transit and bicycling.
•	Green infrastructure includes a range of natural
and built approaches, such as rain gardens,
bioswales, and permeable paving, that mimic
natural systems by capturing and cleaning
stormwater and letting it infiltrate on site rather
than directed into the storm sewer system
and ultimately water bodies such as Lake
Monona. Green infrastructure solutions can
add greenery to streets, parking lots, and other
paved areas, making them more appealing.
Prior to the workshop, city of Madison staff did
extensive outreach to residents to get their
opinions on what the project's goals should
be. Several themes emerged in the more
than 400 responses city staff received:
•	Improve the pedestrian crossings
at major intersections and the East
Campus Mall so residents can get to
places outside the neighborhood.
•	Improve the water quality of Monona Bay to
make it safer for swimming, fishing, and boating.
•	Improve pedestrian and bicycle connections within
the neighborhood and to the rest of the city.
•	Provide more playgrounds, gathering
spaces (incorporating barbeque
pits), and community gardens.
I For more information on green infrastructure, visit EPA's
green infrastructure website: www.epa.gov/greeninfrastructure.

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2
^ WISCONSIN
STATE CAPITOL
IW HEflLTl
LAKE MONONA
¦	Project Area
East Campus Mall Extension
West Washington Avenue
Intersection of West Washington
Avenue and South Park Street
Intersection of West Washington
Avenue and Regent Street
Brittingham Bath House and
Beach Area
Pedestrian and Bicycle Path
Park/Recreation Area
r|_||nr .	scale in feet 0 75 ISO 300	600 a
HbUKL I	|Q
The project area is close to several significant community features, such as the state capital and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as many parks and trails.

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3
In addition, the city staff's goals included:
•	Explore how to connect the existing East
Campus Mall path through the Triangle
neighborhood to complete the pedestrian and
bicycle link between Madison's two lakes.
•	Protect water quality and reduce localized
flooding with green infrastructure.
•	Continue to revitalize Brittingham Park to make
it a destination for all residents and visitors.
The design options illustrate how complete
streets and green infrastructure strategies, such
as improved sidewalks, enhanced bike facilities,
narrower traffic lanes, better road crossings,
native plantings, permeable pavements, and rain
gardens, could be used in the five focus areas.
These strategies can be used to help meet the
goals of city staff identified at the beginning
of the project, which include
(excerpt from the city's proposal to the EPA):
•	Enhance connections to adjacent areas to
allow residents to be "full city users."
•	Create safe, comfortable, and walkable streets
and walkways within the neighborhood.
•	Integrate Brittingham Park Brittingham Beach,
the Monona Bay shoreline, and the natural
environment into the fabric of the neighborhood.
•	Create neighborhood gathering places of a
variety of sizes and activity levels. These could
include the integration of community gardens.
•	Incorporate public art into placemaking,
sustainability measures, and neighborhood identity.
•	Establish a comprehensive approach to green
design.
The focus areas, indicated in Figure I, include:
1 | EAST CAMPUS MALL EXTENSION
Currently, the East Campus Mall is the primary
north-south pedestrian connection in the University
of Wisconsin campus, extending from Lake Mendota
in the north to approximately Regent Street in
the south (the northern boundary oftheTriangle
neighborhood). Extending the East Campus Mall
south through the project area would create a direct
lake-to-lake pedestrian and bicycle connection.
In addition to the new connection between the
two lakes, Triangle neighborhood residents would
have easier access to the university's resources.
2 | WEST WASHINGTON AVENUE
West Washington Avenue leads directly to the
state capital and is a four-lane divided street that
carries over 20,000 cars per day. While it has had
some improvements, such as bike lanes, it is still a
major barrier between Brittingham Park and the
population oftheTriangle neighborhood.Triangle
neighborhood residents voiced the need for
more street-level crossings beyond the existing,
outdated pedestrian overpass (Figure 2). Design
options include creating two additional at-grade
crossings spaced at a relatively similar distance to
crossings found in the surrounding neighborhoods.

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4
3 | INTERSECTION OF WEST WASHINGTON
AVENUE AND SOUTH PARK STREET
Madison residents consider the intersection of
South Park Street and West Washington Avenue
to be the gateway to downtown and the state
capitol.The intersection is difficult for pedestrians
and cyclists to cross because of its size and
configuration. Design options explore how this
intersection could be made safer for pedestrians
and cyclists and could create a welcoming
gateway to the downtown and state capital.
4 | INTERSECTION OF WEST WASHINGTON
AVENUE AND REGENT STREET
The intersection of Regent Street and West
Washington Avenue is another important gateway
to the state capital, as well as to the university.
Design options explored how to make the
crossing safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well
as replacing impervious surfaces with attractive
landscaping that could absorb stormwater runoff!
5 | BRITTINGHAM BATH HOUSE
AND BEACH AREA
Although it is visible across Monona Bay from
John Nolen Drive, this focus area is in a relatively
remote part of the park It has a park shelter that
was recently converted to a small business renting
small, non-motorized boats and an underused
swimming beach. Design options for this location
could enhance current revitalization efforts and make
the area more attractive for year-round activity.

FIGURE 2
The existing pedestrian bridge is underused for several reasons: it is not ADA accessible, it becomes dangerous during icy
or slippery conditions, and it does not connect to sidewalks and trails on the park side.

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5
Workshop Description
As part of the Greening America's Capitals Program,
the design team, EPA, and city staff organized a
three-day design workshop. This intensive event
brought together the public, stakeholders, subject
matter experts such as public health officials, and
various city departments to discuss opportunities,
constraints, and ideas to develop design options
that address the community's wants and needs.
During the initial site visit, the design team met
with various city and neighborhood stakeholders
and held a visioning session to elaborate everyone's
hopes and desires for the neighborhood. Based
on this visioning session, the dominant points of
discussion focused on elements of transportation,
environmental sustainability, quality of life, and
institutional and commercial interests.
Three public meetings were held—one on the
first evening of the workshop, one working
session/open house on the second day, and one
on the final day.The public involvement activities
allowed the design team and city staff to revisit
and refine the initial project goals. Participants
in the meetings generally agreed with the initial
project goals but added to them the following:
•	Make road crossings safer for everyone,
especially the elderly, young, and disabled.
•	Ensure that people with disabilities can easily
access Brittingham Park and its recreational uses.
•	Provide shelters at bus stops to protect
transit riders from the elements.
•	Ensure that additional bicycle traffic through
the neighborhood (as a result of extending
the East Campus Mall) does not put elderly,
disabled, and young people at risk.
•	Provide programs and facilities so the
park can be more used in the winter
•	Consider howTriangle neighborhood residents
could help maintain any new planting beds and
rain gardens (in addition to community gardening
plots) to help keep maintenance costs low.

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6


FIGURE .3
During the three-day workshop, the design team prepared,
reviewed, and revised design option sketches based on
participants' input.
¦ GURE4
Design options were discussed with neighborhood residents
and other members of the pubiic, including members of the
locai Hmong community, in three public meetings held
during the workshop.
FIGURE 5
Throughout the process, stakeholders, including city staff,
worked with the design team to craft design options.

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7
Project Area Assessment
The project area includes the Triangle neighborhood,
part of the Monona Bay neighborhood, and
Brittingham Park The neighborhoods and park are on
the western edge of downtown Madison, directly
south of the University of Wisconsin, and near
several health care facilities, such as Meriter Hospital
and University of Wisconsin Health.
The Triangle neighborhood has a variety of rent-
subsidized housing, medical office buildings, and a
small Asian grocery store. Many of the housing units
in the neighborhood are occupied by a wide variety
of immigrant populations, seniors, and those with
some form of disability. The subsidized housing is
managed by the Community Development Authority
orThe Bayview Foundation, a private nonprofit
corporation.
The project area has approximately 1,045 residents,
of which 50 percent are identified as a racial
minority, according to the 2010 census.The median
household income for neighborhood residents is
$ I 2,276, compared to $52,550 for the city, and 37
percent of households do not own a car According
to the Community Development Authority, 87
percent of residents in the neighborhood live with
some sort of disability.
Residents in the Triangle neighborhood, as with
other low-income neighborhoods where residents
rely on walking to get around, are particularly
susceptible to the effects of climate change. A 2002
Climate Protection Plan prepared for the city of
Madison notes that Wisconsin's climate is projected
to change significantly. Based on projections, by 2100,
temperatures in Wisconsin could increase by about
4 degrees Fahrenheit. The plan states, "Small
changes in temperature like this can dramatically alter
the climate...Precipitation is predicted to increase
by 15-20%. The frequency of extreme hot days
in summer is expected to increase along with the
general warming trend. Higher temperatures and
increased frequency of heat waves could increase
the number of heat-related deaths and the incidence
of heat-related illnesses. Wisconsin, with its irregular;
intense heat waves, seems somewhat susceptible...
We can already see possible impacts of warming in
Madison, including Lake Mendota freezing later and
for shorter periods than in the past."2
The project area's assets include its sense of
community, proximity to amenities, and existing
transportation networks. Its challenges include
environmental degradation, historical disinvestment,
mobility, and accessibility.
2 Somers, Jane. "Climate Protection Plan." City of
Madison Engineering Divison. 2002. Page 9.

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8
ASSETS
Sense of community
Residents see their neighborhood as very tight-knit,
and they value and celebrate diversity. Within
the Bayview housing development, there are
over a dozen different immigrant populations,
with Hmong being the most prevalent.
Proximity to amenities
Residents appreciate the close proximity to downtown,
University of Wisconsin, Brittingham Park, and other
cultural destinations. Many of these destinations are
within walking distance, although currently the walk is
difficult because of the busy streets surrounding the
neighborhood. The neighborhood has one store, Asian
Midway Foods (Figure 7), and across Regent Street is a
retail strip center that houses a variety of businesses,
including a Panera Bread, a FedEx Print and
Shipping Center; and a credit union, to name a few.
Existing transportation networks
The Triangle neighborhood sits along a major public
transit route, with several bus stops on West
Washington Avenue. Madison has an extensive
network of bicycle routes, with a major route
passing through Brittingham Park that extends
to downtown and to the south and west. This
route connects to other regional routes.
FIGURE 6
Two Triangle neighborhood residents enjoying a day in Brittingham Park, catching butterflies,
visiting the garden, and walking on trails around Monona Bay.
FIGURE 7
Asian Midway Foods, the only grocery store in the Triangle neighborhood, is a key business
with healthy food choices within walking distance of much of the neighborhood.

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STATE STREET

LAKE MONONA
G
O
Project Area
B-Cyde Station
Metro Bus Route
Metro Bus Stop With Shelter
Metro Bus Stop Without Shelter
Pedestrian and Bicycle Path
Bike Route (On Street)
Bike Lane
Bike Boulevard
Potential Passenger Rail Stop
Park/Recreation Area
FIGURE 8
Some of the most important components for the neighborhood include the Metro stops along West Washington, which are
used by many residents as the primary mode of transportation.
scale in feet 0 75 150 300
600
ft

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CHALLENGES
Environmental degradation
Madison's growth pattern has significantly affected the
ecological health of the two lakes. Historically, Monona Bay
was a low marsh/wetland that was dredged as the city grew.
While this neighborhood has not expenenced the localized
flooding that other parts of the city have, the runoff which
is full of pollutants, including phosphorus and road salts,
make the bay's water too dirty for recreation. A significant
amount of land drains into the bay (Figure I I), including
roads and parking lots, which contributes to its degradation.
Mobility and accessibility
Although the neighborhood is centrally located,
it is not easy to get into and out of, especially for
people with disabilities, because of the high traffic
volume on the surrounding streets.The pedestrian
bridge that connects the Triangle neighborhood
with the park is not ADA-accessible and is
seldom used, leaving many to negotiate the street
traffic, rather than climb the overpass to reach the
park
10
FIGURE 9
View of Parkside Apartments demonstrating a typical arrangement of housing within the Triangle
neighborhood, which focuses front doors inward towards the parking lot.
:: G U R E 10
Historic neighborhood homes were replaced with taller buildings in the 1960s.

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11
Prijifrct Arn
Stormwater Pipe/801
Qatfall Watershed Area
(Colors ta help dbtinpjl^
watersheds areas)
Sterrawater Oatfall
FIGURE 11
This map shows the Triangle neighborhood's stormwater Infrastructure. The neighborhood drains into the lake from one outfall
located next to the park shelter in Brittingham Park.
scale in feet

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Design Options
The design options respond to the project goals
and the project area's challenges and assets. The city
of Madison wants to use green infrastructure and
complete streets to initiate the planning process in the
underservedTriangle neighborhood.The focus areas
were selected to improve existing conditions of the
neighborhood and to heip reconnect the fragmented
neighborhood with, the surrounding community.
Getting around inside the neighborhood and to
other areas of the city is the Triangle neighborhood
residents' most pressing concern. Many residents are
immigrants, seniors, and people with varying degrees of
disability many of whom do not have vehicles and get
around by walking, biking, and public "transportation.
The design options show how implementing green
infrastructure and complete streets could improve
residents' transportation options.Traffic calming,
rain gardens, and safer streets and pedestrian
crossings can make it easier for residents to move
around the neighborhood and the suirounding
community. Green infrastructure features can
capture and clean stormwater; improving the quality
of the water flowing into Monona Bay Green
infrastructure elements can also help cool ambient
air temperatures, which can help keep streets more
comfortable on hot days, and handle increased
runoff from the heavier rainfalls that are expected to
happen more frequently as the climate changes.
REGENT STREET
BRAXTON PLACE
HoKloKIA 5ay1
scale in feet 0
FIGURE 12 FOCUS AREAS:
1.	East Campus Mall Extension
2.	West Washington Avenue
3.	Intersection of West Washington Avenue and South Park Street
4.	Intersection of West Washington Avenue and Regent Street
5.	Brittingham Bath House and Beach Area

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13
Focus Area 1
EAST CAMPUS MALL EXTENSION
Goals achieved with design option
•	Enhance connections to adjacent areas to
allow residents to be "full city users."
•	Create safe, comfortable, and walkable streets
and walkways within the neighborhood.
•	Create neighborhood gathering places of
a variety of sizes and activity levels.
•	Incorporate public art into placemaking,
sustainability measures, and neighborhood identity.
•	Establish a comprehensive approach to green design.
The design option reconfigures the existing green
space and parking lots to create a larger; central green
space while keeping the same number of parking
spaces (Figure 13). It also enhances the existing
development, provides a natural sense of wayfinding
(by providing a clearly identifiable neighborhood center),
and improves neighborhood identity. Extending
the mall and installing a safer; signalized crossing at
Regent Street would make it easier for residents
to get to employment and education opportunities
on the other side of Regent Street. The signalized
crossings could be similar to those found in other
locations along the East Campus Mall. Because
the mall alignment falls along the main stormwater
drainage path and the location of the storm inlets,
LEGEND
<>~ View location
(figures 14 and 15)
-Fir Section location
(figure 16)
1.	Central green
2.	Bioswale
3.	Signalized crossing at Regent Street
4.	Relocated playground
5.	Expanded community gardens
6.	Landscape buffer/bioswale
7.	Parking around central green
REGENT
BRAXTON
CHANDLER
VILAS
PLAN KEY
uw
HEALTH
CLINIC
GAY BRAXTON
HOUSING
BAY VIEW
FOUNDATION
COMMUNITY
CENTER
BRAXTON PLACE
SELECT
SPECIALTY
HOSPITAL
'EXISTING PARKING AREA
BRITTINGHAM
APARTMENTS
REGENT STREET
FIGURE 13
Plan view of central green and East Campus Mall extension and central green improvements. Gardening is a positive activity already
happening in the neighborhood, and could be expanded near the new play equipment to accommodate additional plots for residents.

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bioswales and rain gardens can be incorporated to
capture and treat stormwater before it gets into
the sewer system and, uitimately, Lake Monona.
Residents of apartments aiong the potential
mail extension are concerned about privacy A
landscape buffer could help screen apartment
windows to give privacy to those living
next to the path. A landscape buffer is a strip of
plantings that are tall enough to obscure views
of the windows beyond, but not tall enough to
create a hiding place. In addition to the landscape
buffer, enhanced signs and lighting will help
delineate the open space. Residents were also
concerned about how fast bicyclists might go along
the path and the potential risk to pedestrians.
FIGURE 14
Existing view looking south to Brittingham Apartments from Braxton Place. Currently, finding one's way around the
neighborhood is difficult because walkways have few signs and poor connections.
FIGURE 15
Design option view looking south to Brittingham Apartments from Braxton Place. The design adds a bioswale next to the path and signs that guide people through the area. The open play field
creates a better defined open space for the residents while preserving many of the large trees. Additional signs could be incorporated to create clear connections through the neighborhood.

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15
initially, the path can be a smail pedestrian walk that
restricts bicycle traffic to minimize conflicts. But,
overtime, the Community Development Authority
intends to redevelop and improve the housing in the
neighborhood. When the buildings are reconfigured,
the mall extension could be widened to at least
12 feet wide, which will help accommodate
both pedestrian and bicycle traffic safely.
Figure I 6 shows a cross section through the East
Campus Mall and community green space that
uses green infrastructure to create a defined and
attractive edge for the central green space. In
addition to maintaining a strong edge for vehicular
traffic and parking, the bioswale would create a
visual buffer to help separate the neighborhood
activities within the central green space from the
bicycle traffic that might use the mall.The width of
the East Campus Mall is also critical (at least 12
feet wide) to give users enough room to avoid any
conflicts between bicyclists and elderly or disabled
residents using the path. Lighting such as pedestrian-scale
pole lights would enhance safety and security along
the path. Permeable pavement could be used
in parking and driving lanes to reduce ponding,
absorb and filter stormwater; and add aesthetic
elements. Preserving the existing mature tree canopy
would shade the East Campus Mall extension.
scale in feet 0	5	10	20
FIGURE 16
Section of the design concept showing bioswales at the central green next to parking paved with permeable pavement. The bioswale would protect water quality and provide a buffer
between people using the mall to get to the lakes and the residents using the central green space.

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Focus Area 2
WEST WASHINGTON AVENUE
Goals achieved with design option:
•	Enhance connections to adjacent areas to
allow residents to be "full city users."
•	Create safe, comfortable, and walkable streets
and walkways within the neighborhood.
•	Establish a comprehensive approach to green
design.
The design option for this focus area makes
the crossing of West Washington Avenue safer
for bicyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and transit
users. The existing bike lane would be removed
and replaced by a separated bike path that
reduces conflicts between bicyclists and cars.
The underused, existing pedestrian bridge
would remain, but enhanced crossings at-grade
would be added, as was desired by residents
in the workshop. The design concept creates two
midblock crossings, which both calms traffic and
gives pedestrians a refuge island as they cross this
wide road. At each of the bump-outs, a covered
bus shelter could protect transit users from the
elements. Along the parking areas and in the
refuge islands at the midblock crossings, pervious
pavers could capture and treat stormwater
LEGEND
Midblock crossing
location
Bus stop location
View location
(figures 18 and 19)
Vlr Section location
(Figures 20,21, and 22)
1.	Parking and farmer's
market
2.	Park shelter
3.	Existing pedestrian
bridge
REGENT
BRAXTON
CHANDLER
VILAS
PLAN KEY
FIGURE 17	sca'e In ^eet ^^
Design option for West Washington Avenue.
BAY VIEW
'FOUNDATION
GAY BRAXTON
HOUSING
UW HEALTH
CLINIC
COMMUNI"
CENTER
BRAXTON PLACI
SELECT
SPEQALTY
HOSPITAL
BRITTINGHAM
APARTMENTS

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FIGURE 18
Existing view looking northeast along West
Washington Avenue toward the capitol
building. As noted at the workshop, crossing
West Washington Avenue at grade is unsafe,
and the street currently has no identified
pedestrian crossing.
FIGURE 19
Design option view looking northeast along West Washington Avenue toward the capitol building. The midblock crossing creates a safe refuge for pedestrians in the central median, as well
as the pedestrian refuge island added in the laneways in each direction. A covered bus stop shelters transit users. Clearly delineating paths for cyclists and pedestrians will help limit conflict
between them. Enhanced landscaping in these areas will help create the perception of comfort for pedestrians and improve the visual aesthetics of the road.

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LEGEND
1.	Bus shelter
2.	Bike path
3.	Pervious pavers for
parking area
4.	Bollard
5.	Detectable warning
pavers
6.	Landscape area
REGENT
BRAXTON
CHANDLER
VILAS
PLAN KEY
FIGURE 20
Enlarged view of the West Washington Avenue midblock crossing and refuge islands. Bollards at the nose of the islands further help protect pedestrians and
give snow plows a landmark to avoid during plowing. Detectable warning pavers are a textured pavement letting pedestrians with visual or other disabilities
know they are entering the roadway.

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FIGURE 21
Existing section of West
Washington Avenue looking
northeast.
SIDE TURF
WALK LANDSCAPE
TURF SIDE
LANDSCAPE WALK
FIGURE 22
Section of design option
showing of West Washington
Avenue looking northeast.
SIDE LANDSCAPE
PARKING DRIVE LANE DRIVE LANE
BUS SHELTER
LANDSCAPE
MEDIAN
DRIVE LANE
DRIVE LANE PARKING
BUS SHELTER
LANDSCAPE
BIKE LANDSCAPE SIDE
PATH ZONE WALK

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Focus Area 3
INTERSECTION OF WEST WASHINGTON
Goals achieved with design option:
•	Enhance connections to adjacent areas to
allow residents to be "full city users."
•	Create safe, comfortable, and walkable streets
and walkways within the neighborhood.
•	Incorporate public art into placemaking,
sustainability measures, and neighborhood identity.
•	Establish a comprehensive approach to green
design.
The design option forthis intersection improves safety
for bicyclists and creates spaces for green infrastructure
and public art. At the intersection, the bike lane
divides; one transitions into the vehicular traffic, and the
other transitions into the sidewalkThis allows
experienced riders to safely become part of the
vehicular traffic as they head north or south on
Park Street. Less-experienced riders could choose to
stay on the sidewalk and cross the intersection with
pedestrians. Reducing the width of the southbound,
right-turn lane from West Washington Avenue
onto South Park Street and enlarging the pedestrian
refuge island creates more green space. The enlarged
pedestrian refuge would make the crossing safer letting
people feel more confident about crossing into and
out oftheTiangle neighborhood as well as providing
a space for public art or green infrastructure. For
vehicular movement, the northernmost westbound
land on West Washington Avenue is a through-
lane to accommodate westbound traffic.
ASIAN
MIDWAY FOODS
rininr ~i~7	scale in feet 0 25 50	100 A
rmUKtZj
Design concept for the intersection of West Washington Avenue and South Park Street.
AVENUE AND S PARK
LEGEND
View location
(Figure s 24 and 25)
1.	Public art opportunity
2.	Bioswale/landscape
area
3.	Raised crosswalk with
colored pavement
4.	Bike path
REGENT
BRAXTON
CHANDLER J"
VILAS
PLAN KEY

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FIGURE 24
Existing view looking northeast along West Washington
Avenue from South Park Street toward the capitol building.
Currently, pedestrian crosswalks are not visible to turning
cars.
FIGURE 25
View of design option looking northeast along West Washington Avenue from South Park Street toward the capitol building. Bump-outs and landscaping help delineate the bike lanes and
provide a safer crossing for pedestrians. Public art could help make this intersection a gateway into the capitol.

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Focus Area 4
LEGEND
<>~
INTERSECTION OF WEST WASHINGTON AVENUE AND REGENT STREET
Goals achieved with design option:
•	Enhance connections to adjacent areas to
allow residents to be "full city users."
•	Create safe, comfortable, and walkable streets
and walkways within the neighborhood.
•	Incorporate public art into placemaking,
sustainability measures, and neighborhood Identity.
•	Establish a comprehensive approach to green
design.
The design option for this focus area incorporates
a roundabout into the intersection of West
Washington Avenue and Regent/Proudfit streets.
In a roundabout, pedestrian crossings are made
easier because a pedestrian need only watch for
traffic coming from one direction at a time because
there are pedestnan islands separating travel lanes
on each approach.Traffic speed going through the
roundabout is slow, which creates a less intimidating
environment for pedestrians as well. The elimination
of turn lanes leading up to the roundabout narrows
the crossing distances and creates space for
other uses, including landscaping that can capture
stormwater runoff. These landscaped areas can
also be places to store the snow that is plowed
off the streets in the winterThe roundabout also
provides a visual gateway to the capitol to the
north. The bike lanes transition from the drive lane
to the separated path along West Washington.
3.
4.
5.
View location
(figures 27 and 28)
Community gardens
Bioswale/landscape
area
Low stone wall
Public art opportunity
Permeable paver edge
REGENT
BRAXTON
CHANDLER
VILAS
PLAN KEY

GROUP HEALTH
COOPERATIVE


%
PARKVIEW
APARTMENTS

FIGURE 26
Design option of the intersection of West Washington Avenue and Regent/Proudfit streets.

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"tNDi
FIGURE 27
Existing view looking east along Regent
Street to the intersection of West
Washington Avenue and Regent/Prouclfit
streets. Navigating this heavily travelled,
wide intersection as a pedestrian,
bicyclist, or driver is difficult and unsafe,
particularly for disabled residents.
Around the perimeter of the roundabout could be a 5-
to 10-foot-wide strip of permeable pavers.This strip of
pavers can be used to capture stormwater but more
importantly, during snow removal, the snow can be piled
onto the strip, and as it melts, salt-laden water is cleaned
as it soaks through the pavers. On the corner next to the
Bayview Apartments, a portion of the existing landscaping
would be converted to community gardens to fulfill
residents' desire for more gardening plots. Replacing
the existing chain-link fence at this corner with a small
stone wall would be more attractive and would address
residents' concern about children's safety next to a busy
road, especially if garden plots are added to the corner
FIGURE 28
Design option view looking east along Regent Street to the intersection of West Washington Avenue and Regent/Prouclfit streets. The community garden and stone wall can create a sense of
community. The roundabout could provide a visual gateway to the capital while capturing and treating stormwater runoff.

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V
al
<
•&
*0
Focus Area 5
BRITTINGHAM BATH HOUSE AND BEACH AREA
Goals achieved with design option:
•	Create safe, comfortable, and walkable streets
and walkways within the neighborhood.
•	Integrate Brittingham Park, Brittingham Beach,
the Monona Bay shoreline, and the natural
environment into the fabric of the neighborhood.
•	Create neighborhood gathering places of
a variety of sizes and activity levels.
•	Establish a comprehensive approach to green
design.
The design option for this focus area shows
how redevelopment of the area around the old
bath house could Incorporate environmentally
sustainable practices, such as a photovoltaic system
to supply power for heat and hot water Adding
environmentally friendly features would help bolster
the recent progress in turning the bath house into
a neighborhood amenity. Currently, the facility
closes during the winter despite neighborhood
residents' desire to have year-round activity.The
bath house could be renovated and programmed
to facilitate winter uses, which might include an
expanded gathering space with warming elements
(which could be a simple fire ring or gas heaters
with seating around), concessions for ice fishers, or
other activities such as ice skating. In addition to the
enhanced winter programming, the deck could be
expanded with additional seating, and the accessible
LEGEND
View location
(Figures 30 arid 31)
1.	Renovated bath house
2.	Bioswale
3.	Gathering area
4.	Accessible boat dock
5.	Boat storage
6.	Expanded deck area
7	Trail crossing
REGENT
BRAXTON
CHANDLER
VILAS
PLAN KEY
FIGURE 29	^
Design option of new park amenities and structures, including rain gardens, safer crossing of Proudfit Street, more seating
at the water's edge, and a warming feature.
II MONONA BAY"

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boat dock (which is a part of the Brittingham Park
Master Plan) could be built at this location to
expand the users who can take advantage of the
boating activities. Finally, building off of the
existing rain gardens and bioswales that have educational
signage, the environmentally sustainable features
built into the new bath house could demonstrate
and educate people about the importance and
benefits of green infrastructure as well as improve
perceptions of the neighborhood and park
FIGURE 30
Existing view looking northeast to the
Brittingham bath house and beach.
Recent programming and activities in the
area have made this area of the park feel
safer, which is encouraging more use of
the park.

MADISON
MADISON
FIGURE 31
Design option view looking northeast to the Brittingham bath house and beach. Creating warming spots (such as outdoor gas heaters with seating) and winter concessions such as ice-fishing
supplies or ice skating rentals could encourage year-round activity. The renovated bath house could include environmentally sustainable features such as photovoltaics and recycled materials.

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26
Next Steps, Key Partners, and Potential Funding Sources
INTRODUCTION
The design options presented in this report can
spur further interest and investment in theTriangle
neighborhood and Brittingham Park and catalyze
future improvements.This section discusses
potential near-, mid-, and long-term steps, key
community partners, and funding sources identified
and discussed during the design workshop that
can help the city of Madison achieve its goals.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
Short-term steps (one to two years) include
activities that could continue to involve
the neighborhood residents and partners,
surrounding institutions, and the city
•	Begin the process of including street crossings
in the capital plan, undertake a traffic analysis,
and reach out to residents to identify locations.
•	Involve Triangle and Monona Bay neighborhood
residents when programming and designing
future improvements to Brittingham Park
Many of the residents consider Brittingham
Park to be their community park and
could help with basic maintenance.
•	Translate online registration forms for picnic
shelter rental into additional languages (Spanish
and Hmong were specifically mentioned in the
workshop) to encourage Triangle neighborhood
residents to use the park facilities more often.
Continue to improve access to the parks
recreational amenities for people with disabilities.
Explore options for continuing the farmers market
and operating it for three seasons of the year
Consider adding public art in Brittingham Park
to raise awareness of and celebrate the diverse
cultures in surrounding neighborhoods.
Expand the Brittingham Gardens in the park
Because of the popularity of the existing gardens,
the Parks Division could reach out to current
gardeners and non-gardeners and explore
feasible expansion plans that would serve the
gardeners but not restrict other recreational uses
in the park One suggestion for improvements
to the existing gardens was to put some of the
beds into raised planters so that gardeners with
disabilities could more easily access the plots.
Construct mid block crossings on West
Washington Avenue for better access to
transit stops and Brittingham Park
Develop design plans and budgets for
pedestrian and bicycle access to Regent
Street at the East Campus Mall extension.
Establish budgets for design and engineering
for the major improvements, including West
Washington and the east and west gateway
intersections. These improvements could
include the mid block crossings along West
Washington Avenue, the roundabout at
West Washington Avenue and Regent Street,
and pedestrian improvements at West
Washington Avenue and South Park Street.
MID-TERM ACTIONS
Mid-term (three to five years) actions include
opportunities, built on the successes of the
short-term steps, to invest in design and
planning that can set the stage for larger
infrastructure and transportation investments.
•	Develop design and engineering plans for
intersection modifications for improved
pedestrian and bicycle access in two
locations: West Washington Avenue and
Regent/Proudfit streets, and South Park
Street and West Washington Avenue.
•	Consider a larger redevelopment plan for the
Triangle neighborhood, specifically Brittingham
Apartments, Karabis Apartments, Parkside
Apartments, and Gay Braxton Apartments.
The Community Development Authority
and Planning Division could lead the plan and
partner with Me rite r Hospital, University of
Wisconsin Health, and the Bayview Foundation.
This plan could consider improving the central
green space as an organizing element for the
neighborhood, extending the East Campus
Mall across the neighborhood, and introducing
green solutions for stormwater management.

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27
•	Expand the farmers market to possibly
include produce grown and sold by the
residents of the neighborhood.
LONG-TERM ACTIONS
In the long term (five to 10 years), the city
could investigate the construction of larger
infrastructure improvements, as well as redeveloping
housing in theTriangle neighborhood.
•	Incorporate the larger redevelopment
plan into the city's comprehensive plan
and other relevant city plans.
•	Construct intersection modifications for
improved pedestrian and bicycle access in
two locations: West Washington Avenue
and Regent/Proudfit streets, and South Park
Street and West Washington Avenue.
•	Construct improved pedestrian and
bicycle access to Regent Street at the
East Campus Mall extension.
•	Improve existing housing based upon the larger
redevelopment plan, and construct the central
green space, the East Campus Mall extension, and
green solutions for stormwater management.
•	Further study and design the conversion
of the bath house in Brittingham
Park to allow year-round use.
KEY PARTNERS
In order to help move many ofi these projects forward
to construction, it is vital that the city enlists as many
different partners to help garner the necessary
funding and community support.The following is a
list ofi partners that could be part ofi the process as
the city progresses with the planning and
implementation ofi improvements in the project area.
Municipal Partners
•	The Department of Planning and Community
and Economic Development works with
elected officials, neighborhoods, businesses,
and nonprofit groups on quality-ofi-lifie
issues such as improved water quality and
neighborhood accessibility within the city.
•	The Community Development Authority holds much
ofi the land in theTriangle neighborhood that
could be modified to include green solutions and
enhanced neighborhood access to economic,
cultural, and recreational resources ofithe city.
•	The Engineering Division maintains and
upgrades utilities and infrastructure and could
include improvements such as adding green
infrastructure to improve water quality in future
stormwater projects in the neighborhood.
•	The Traffic Engineering Division provides
guidance and requirements for transportation
improvements within city-owned rights ofi
way and can influence improvements for
pedestrian and bicycle access and safety in
the neighborhood and along nearby streets.
•	The Parks Division controls Brittingham Park
and its recreational amenities such as the
shelter house, sand volleyball, walking and
biking trails, places for public art, community
gardens, playgrounds, the lake, and the bath
house. It has installed several rain gardens, which
help protect water quality in Monona Bay.
•	The Police Department provides social
support sen/ices to many area residents.
The community police officer organizes the
residents to operate the community gardens
and farmers market in Brittingham Park
•	Public Health Madison and Dane County work
with theTriangle neighborhood and businesses
to "enhance, protect, and promote the health
of the environment and the well-being ofi all
people." 3 While not directly affecting built
projects, Public Health Madison and Dane County
can be a vocal advocate for the residents and
could help influence city leadership in favor
ofi projects that can improve public health.
•	The Madison Metropolitan Sewage District
owns and operates the large pump station
building in Brittingham Park along West
Washington Avenue. It could provide
guidance for looking into opportunities,
as desired by the city, to better integrate
this facility into the park such as providing
shade structures and a covered bus stop.
3 "About Us - Public Health Madison & Dane County"
http://www.publichealthmdc.com/about/

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Institutional Partners
•	Meriter Hospital is a large institution that
occupies much of the west side of South Park
Street. It provides health care services to many
of the Triangle neighborhood residents.
•	University ofWisconsin Health occupies the
northwest corner of the Triangle neighborhood.
When it considers improvements to its campus,
it could ensure those improvements maintain
pedestrian and bicycle access and protect
water quality through green infrastructure.
•	University ofWisconsin is an important partner in
the extension of East Campus Mall, stormwater
management, and other potential improvements
within and adjacent to the project area.
Neighborhood Partners
•	Brittingham and Gay Braxton Apartments are
controlled by the Community Development
Authority. Both apartment complexes
are designated for residents who are 50
years of age or older and have disabilities.
Many of their residents would benefit from
improved pedestrian access to the public
spaces and surrounding businesses.
•	Karabis and Parkside Apartments are also
Community Development Authority partners
and provide affordable homes toTriangle
neighborhood residents. Many of their residents
would benefit from improved pedestrian access
to the public spaces and surrounding businesses.
The Bayview Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit corporation that owns and operates
BayviewTownhouses and Bayview International
Center for Education and the Arts. It provides
many support services and educational and
enrichment programs for the residents and
operates the Bayview Community Center
Other neighborhood partners that participated in
the Greening America's Capitals project and are
important in future planning and implementation
efforts include the Monona Bay Neighborhood
Association, Friends of Monona Bay, surrounding
property owners, ser/ice providers, and other
community groups and organizations.

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29
POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES
Federal Funding
EPA's Clean Water Act Section 319 grants are
directed to demonstration projects that reduce
nonpoint source pollution. Green infrastructure
elements of the design options can be eligible
for funding through this program. For more
information go to www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/
nonpoint/3 19Grantlnfo.mc.px
EPA's Brownfelds Program works to protect the
environment, promote partnerships, strengthen
the marketplace, and facilitate sustainable reuse.
EPA's brownfields grants and technical assistance
give communities and other stakeholders resources
to prevent, assess, and clean up properties
where the potential presence of a hazardous
substance may complicate sustainable reuse.
Sites within the project area can be eligible for
brownfields grants and technical assistance. Visit
www.epa.gov/brownfields for more information.
Green Project Reserve, part of EPA's
Clean Water State Revolving Fund, is a program
that sen/es as a water quality financing source
that helps communities meet the goals of the
Clean Water Act. Nonpoint source pollution
control and green infrastructure can be
eligible for funding through this program. Refer to
www.water.epa.gov/grants funding/cwsrf/cwsrf indexcfm
or www.water.epa.gov/grants funding/cwsrf/Green-
Proiect-Resen/e.cfm for more information.
EPA office of Water has many grants and funding
sources for:
Clean Water projects to improve water quality,
renew wastewater; and support local economies.
Section 106 Water Pollution Control to establish
ongoing water pollution control program.
Targeted Watersheds to encourage community-based
approaches to protect and restore watersheds. For more
information visit www.water.epa.gov/grants funding
EPA's Urban Waters Small Grants Program
funds research, training, and studies that advance
the restoration of urban waters by improving
water quality through activities supportive of
community revitalization and other local priorities.
Grants of $40,000 to $60,000 were awarded in
2014. About 19 percent of recent grants have
been given to advancing green infrastructure. Visit
www.2epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-
grants-fact-sheet for more information.
Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program under the
Housing and Urban Development Department
(HUD), the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program, provides financing
for a range of development-related projects,
including public infrastructure.These loans can
act as a catalyst for private development. Go to
www.hudexchange.info/section-108 for more information.
MAP-21, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century,
under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration, also provides funding for
Local Funding and Assistance
Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC)
The commission is the regional planning and area-
wide water quality management planning entity for
the Dane County region. The commission prepares
and adopts a master plan for the region and
maintains an area wide water quality management
planning process for the region's water resources.
CARPC helps promote local, regional, and federal
grants, including EPA grants, HUD grants, and state
wide financial assistance and business incentive grants.
The commission has useful links on its
Grant Opportunities Web page at
www.capitalarearpc.org/Grant Opportunities.html.
Madison Area Transportation Planning Board
The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board
is the federally designated metropolitan planning
organization for the Madison metropolitan area.
The organization coordinates planning and
transportation efforts in the region and could fund
future planning for the Triangle neighborhood. For
more information go to www.madisonareampo.org.
www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21 /factsheets/stp.
information.

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Smart Growth
GREENING
AMERICA'S CAFHAIS

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