📝 Filling a downtown hole (literally)

🚧 Addressing a Downtown Eyesore

• City Council took the first step toward doing something about Madison College's former downtown campus buildings that have sat vacant for years. NCG Hospitality of Middleton has proposed building an 11-story hotel at 33 West Johnson Street and converting the historic school building on North Carroll Street into 134 market-rate housing units. The council unanimously approved a zoning change for the project, marking a first step toward action on the giant downtown hole in the ground. [City of Madison, Channel3000]

🏆 Local James Beard Honorees

• Three local foodies were named semifinalists in the 2024 James Beard Awards. CocoVaa founder Syovata Edari is a semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker; Pasture and Plenty is a semifinalist for Outstanding Hospitality; And Mint Mark Chef Sean Pharr is a semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest.
• Dig deeper: We caught up with Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians to talk about this story in today’s episode of City Cast Madison. Don’t miss it!
• Related: The James Beard Awards are often called the Oscars of food. Last year, two local chefs were named the best chefs in the midwest. [Cap Times, City Cast Madison]

❄️ Madison's Largest Winter Workout

• Organizers of the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk have made the decision to cancel the annual race on Lake Mendota’s ice due to concerns over the ice’s thickness. The lake is frozen now, but as temperatures are expected to warm through the event on Saturday, the integrity of the lake’s ice will be questionable. Instead, the Clean Lakes Alliance will host "Madison's largest winter workout" at the Edgewater. [Clean Lakes Alliance]

We’ve made it through the week, which means it’s time for a little fun! This week’s floof is Arya (shoutout to my fellow GoT fans 👋). Arya is a young lady who likes the finer things in life like cuddling with her human mom, watching the local birds, and napping under sheets. But don’t let her soft face fool you, she also loves tricking her human dad into giving her treats and sharing his food.

More Nazis on Campus, the Next Dane County Boss, and Madison Restaurants Win

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Executive producer Molly Stentz and newsletter editor Hayley Sperling are joined by Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians to talk about the locals who’ve been nominated for James Beard awards, and the two women vying to be Dane County Executive. Plus, there were Nazis on the UW-Whitewater campus this week.