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Middleton CDA advances $115,000 Stonehorse Green program plan, acting on survey feedback
Summary
The Middleton Community Development Authority voted to forward the Stonehorse Green 2026 program budget—estimated at $115,000 and conditional on grants, sponsorships and vendor revenue—to the finance department, and discussed survey results from 79 respondents that called for more seating, improved sound and clearer parking and street-closure guidance.
The Middleton Community Development Authority voted Feb. 12 to recommend the proposed Stonehorse Green 2026 events calendar and its estimated $115,000 program budget to the city finance department, with the understanding that spending would occur only if grants, sponsorships and vendor fees are confirmed.
Jolyn, the CDA presenter and staff lead on Stonehorse Green programming, outlined a calendar that would add a downtown Tuesday-afternoon farmers market (May–September), five months of Thursday night markets with 30–40 vendors and expanded “music and arts” programming that includes bluegrass, Latin bands, ballet and chamber music. She said the expanded holiday market would feature chalet-style vendor booths, more food options and family-focused programming such as a Santa arrival and caroling.
"The estimated budget for this is $115,000," Jolyn said, adding that chalet rentals and larger music acts raise costs but that vendor fees, sponsorships and grant awards would be used to offset expenses. She emphasized that contracted performers would require some upfront commitments if booked.
The committee discussed operational and equity details: recruiting vendors through open calls and outreach, intentionally contacting vendors from historically marginalized communities, and testing evening and special-event uses of the large screen on the green. Committee members suggested experimenting with showing Badger games on special Saturdays if licensing costs proved reasonable.
Staff also reviewed results of a community feedback survey that drew 79 responses. The survey identified seating as a top need; Jolyn said the CDA plans to add about 10 commercial-quality picnic tables to replace worn wooden ones. Respondents also asked for more food vendors, clearer parking information and improved sound systems; Jolyn said those items were reflected in the budget line items under consideration.
Survey questions on street closures showed broad support for closures during events: Jolyn reported that about 43% of respondents said they would be more likely to visit downtown restaurants and shops if streets were closed during programming, only about 11% said closures would make them less likely to visit, and more than 60% indicated they would favor more regular street closures if it meant more programming.
A committee member moved to recommend the proposed program budget to finance as a budget amendment, with the caveat that expenditures would depend on confirmed funding; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote. The committee directed staff to continue vendor outreach and grant-seeking and to refine operational plans (parking, crowd control and sound) before final spending commitments.
The CDA said it will track grant applications, vendor commitments and sponsorships before authorizing any budgeted expenditures and will return to the finance department once those revenue streams are clearer.
