Commission approves MacArthur-area reconstruction plan with sidewalks on most streets; Sycamore to allow parking on one side

The Madison Transportation Commission unanimously approved staff’s recommended design approach for the MacArthur Road, MacArthur Court, Larson Court and Sycamore Avenue reconstruction project.

Staff presenter (identified as Andy) described outreach going back to a public meeting in February 2024, a neighborhood walk-through, and a questionnaire. The design work is part of a reconstruction/resurfacing cycle in which the project will add curb, gutters and curb-adjacent sidewalks in multiple blocks northeast of East Washington and Stoughton Road. Staff said the corridor has limited existing sidewalks and that the work is intended to provide continuous, accessible sidewalks, capture stormwater issues at a low spot near a pedestrian cut-through, and formalize the roadway section.

Key decisions and design elements: staff recommended the commission approve sidewalks on both sides of the project streets except Larson Court (one-side sidewalk only, where mature trees and tight right-of-way limit space). For Sycamore Avenue staff recommended a 26-foot curb-to-curb width with parking allowed on one side and preservation of an existing overnight parking restriction; that option was chosen over narrower no-parking alternatives and wider two-sided parking configurations. Staff said tree impacts are limited but unavoidable in a small number of cases (they cited about three public trees and roughly 10 private trees identified for potential removal pending further design). Storm sewer upgrades and a 30-foot-radius cul-de-sac at the MacArthur Court southern end were discussed; staff said a storm sewer tie-in will address persistent ponding at the path-to-street connection.

Why it matters: the project adds missing pedestrian infrastructure and resolves surface drainage issues on several short local streets. Staff noted that the Sycamore block has some resident parking usage (daytime) and that residents had repeatedly asked staff to maintain the overnight parking restriction; staff’s chosen option attempted to reflect that input while achieving a stable curb-and-sidewalk geometry.

Commission action and next steps: Robbie Weber moved to adopt staff’s recommendation; Chris McKay Hill seconded. The commission voted unanimously to approve Option 2 on Sycamore (26-foot curb-to-curb with parking on one side) and the sidewalk configuration described above. Staff said the next steps include plan/spec/assessment approvals and coordination with the Board of Public Works; the project will return with final vertical design (to minimize private-tree removals where possible) before construction bidding.

Community comments: one registrant (Joseph Kronforest of Sycamore Avenue) registered support but did not speak. Commissioners asked for staff to continue outreach with multi-family property managers at the MacArthur Court end to ensure tenants and managers understand driveway reconfiguration and stormwork planned near their property.