Madison council approves MacArthur/Sycamore reconstruction, extends assessment payback after residents voice concerns

The Madison Common Council on Oct. 28 unanimously adopted a resolution creating the MacArthur/Larson/MacArthur Court/Sycamore Avenue Assessment District for 2026, approving a full street reconstruction project that includes pavement, curb and gutter, sanitary and water main replacements, new storm sewer and replacement of private sewer laterals.

The project, presented by Jim Wolf, city engineer, calls for sidewalks on both sides of McArthur Avenue and McArthur Court, one side of Larson Court and select pedestrian connections; staff said sidewalks themselves will not be charged as special assessments to property owners. "This is a full street reconstruction project," Wolf said, describing work to replace pavement base, install new utilities and replace private sewer laterals. He said assessment responsibilities follow city policy: pavement reconstruction costs are assessed, driveway apron replacement is split 50/50 between owners and the city, and owners pay 25% of sewer lateral replacement with the city paying 75%.

Speakers from District 3 raised concerns about notification, cost and changes in scope. Hilton Jones, president of the Mayfair…