🚆 This could be Madison’s new Amtrak station

🚆 Is This Madison’s Future Amtrak Station?

• With passenger rail service expected to come back to Madison as soon as 2030, the former state Department of Health and Human Services building at 1 W. Wilson St. is poised to become the city’s new train station.
• The Wisconsin Department of Administration put the art deco building up for sale last year, and is prepared to accept a $10 million offer from Madison’s Landmark Development to redevelop the building into an Amtrak station. The 11-story building would also include housing, retail, dining, office, and entertainment space.
• The State Building Commission will hear the proposal at its May 13 meeting. [ 🔒 WSJ]

🐕 Ridglan Farms Gives 1,500 Beagles Up for Adoption

• Ridglan Farms, the controversial Blue Mounds beagle breeding and research facility, said it will sell around three-quarters of its over 2,000 dogs to two animal welfare groups: Center for a Humane Economy and Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
• Dane County Humane Society is working to find homes for 500 of the beagles through partner shelters and other organizations. DCHS has set up a page to receive donations to pay for veterinary exams, vaccinations, and transfer costs. DCHS also has a form for anyone interested in fostering or adopting the beagles.
• Ridglan Farms has drawn nationwide attention and multiple protests over its treatment of the dogs, and agreed in a court settlement to stop breeding dogs. [ 🔒 WSJ, DCHS]

💸 Street Parking Near Breese Stevens Won’t Be Free Anymore

• Hunting for a free parking spot to go see a show at Breese Stevens Field or The Sylvee may become a thing of the past under a test program recently approved by the city.
• The plan introduces paid street parking in the popular near east side neighborhood bounded by South Blount and South Brearly streets and East Washington Avenue and the Capital City Trail. Unlike in other parts of the city where paid parking hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, payment in the test zone would be required between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day. The rate would rise and fall based on demand.
• 🎧 Good idea or bad idea? City Cast Madison Neighbors can hear us debate the idea in the special members-only segment of today’s podcast. We also talk about Ridglan Farms, funding cuts at the UW Extension, and today’s May Day protest. [ 🔒 WSJ, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Meet Garth and Teddy. “Garth is the white one, Teddy is the black one. They are gay married.” And both of them want to wish their human Taylor a Happy Birthday!