🦨 Why does Lake Monona smell so bad?

🦨 Phew! Why Does Lake Monona Smell So Bad?

• East side residents are complaining about a putrid smell coming from Lake Monona, the result of cyanobacterial blooms, commonly known as blue-green algae.
• The algae can thrive in bays and other shallow water, producing toxins that can make people and animals sick. This year’s weather, in which heavy rains have been followed by windless, sunny days, have been especially conducive to algae growth.
• Swimmers should avoid contact with the algae, and check out the latest reports from public health officials before heading to the beach. [WMTV, City Cast Madison, Public Health Madison & Dane County]

🏗️ Park Street Development Dials Down the Weirdness

• A proposed multi-use building at the intersection of South Park and West Lakeside streets won’t have the distinctive rounded roofs that were part of the original design.
• The original design of the 54-unit apartment building included metal-wrapped barrel roofs that District 6 Ald. Davy Mayer approvingly called “weird.”
• But the latest version of the plans from Threshold Development Group shows the roofs reduced to merely curved accents on the facade. The developers made the change to reduce costs. [🔒WSJ, Cap Times]

🗳️ City Council Approves Southwest, Southeast Area Plans

• The Madison City Council OK’d the area plans for both the southwest and southeast sections of the city, part of a yearslong effort to revisit and update its vision for every part of the city.
• The southwest plan covers areas south of the Beltline, including parts of Raymond Road and McKee Road. It includes proposals to increase safety on Raymond Road, and the construction of a roundabout where Maple Grove Drive, Nesbitt Road and Cross Country Road intersect.
• The southeast plan covers neighborhoods east of Lake Monona and north of Lake Waubesa. It proposes a major revitalization of Milwaukee Street with dining and entertainment options, as well as turning the site of the former American Family Insurance building near Highway 30 into a 41-acre mixed housing development. [News 3, City of Madison]

Skip’s After Market (Far West Side)

After you’re done grocery shopping at the Brennan’s Market on Watts Road, hang out in this new space that includes a patio, full-service bar, and fire pits. They serve sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards along with glasses of wine and classic cocktails.

Layne’s Chicken Fingers (Far West Side)

This Raising Cane’s-style chicken restaurant chain is opening its third Wisconsin (and first Madison) location on Mineral Point Road, fittingly in a former KFC location.

7 Brew (Far East Side)

The Arkansas-based drive-thru-only coffee shop chain opened its first Madison location on Lien Road near East Towne Mall, purporting to offer 22,000 drink combinations.

Asteria Ice Cream (Sun Prairie)

This new ice cream shop opened on Sun Prairie’s Main Street, bringing “elevated nostalgia to the cone” with traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate and more unusual ones, like Calico Coffee made with cold brew from nearby Beans n Cream. They also serve several dirty sodas (which they call “magic sodas”).

Anatolian Bites (Middleton)

This pop-up bakery sells sweet Mediterranean-inspired treats at farmers’ markets and special events around town, such as the Madison Night Market. The menu includes fruit mousse cake and homemade Dubai chocolate.

Apne Bazaar (Far West Side)

Enjoy the flavors of South Asia, including ready-to-eat meals, fresh vegetables, beverages, desserts, and more at this new spot at 6704 Watts Rd. They’re having their grand opening on June 29 with complimentary sweet tea, butter tea, and snacks.