About Madison's Central BID
Formed in 1999, Madison's Central Business Improvement District (BID) is a City of Madison assessment district encompassing State Street (from Park Street to the Capitol Square) and the Capitol Square area (the Square plus most 100 block streets or “spokes” off the Square).
Located on an isthmus between two beautiful lakes, and anchored by the Wisconsin State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin campus, this unique shopping, dining, entertainment and business district is home to hundreds of shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs and taverns, many locally-owned, plus museums and cultural destinations.
The BID works to market the district as a whole, create a welcoming downtown environment, and further community relations. The BID liaises between district businesses and property owners, the City of Madison, and other downtown stakeholder groups including Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI), the Greater State Street Business Association (GSSBA), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Downtown Coordinating Committee, Capitol Neighborhoods, downtown arts and cultural organizations, and others.
BID funds are used for marketing, business recruitment and retention, enhancements such as downtown art, holiday lights, and flower planters, an Ambassador program and a Downtown Map & Guide. Sponsorships and advertising revenues are used to extend the funding available for BID services and programs.
The BID Board of Directors is appointed by the Mayor, and includes district property and business owners, a downtown Alder, a Mayor's Office representative, and downtown residents. There are three full-time BID employees, an Executive Director and an Operations Director, a Programming Coordinators plus part-time and volunteer Ambassadors.
Programs, Events & Services
BID Goal
The goal of Madison's Central BID is to increase the vitality and health of the district and promote business within it. The constituents are the property and business owners within the district.
It is not intended as a substitute for City services (such as Mall Maintenance).
Programs
- New Resident Welcome Bag
- Special Event Welcome Tables
- Downtown Map & Guide
-
Shop & Stroll Events
- International Student Night
- Spring Wine Walk
- Cheese Walk
- Fall Wine Walk
- Cookie Walk
Events
- Summer in YOUR City
- YOUR Lunchtime Live Concert Series
- Madison Night Market
- Family Halloween
- Shine On Madison
- Holiday Open House
Services
Board
2023 Board of Directors
Josey Chu
State Stree Business Owner
Owner, Madame Chu Delicacies
Kirstin DeMartino
UW Madison Chancellor's Representative
Director, UW Madison Campus and Visitor Relations
Heather Ewing
At Large Central Downtown Representative
Abstract Commercial Real Estate
Grant Frautschi (Treasurer)
State Street - Property Owner
President, Block 100 Foundation
Peggy Gunderson
DMI Representative
Strategic Brand Marketing
Patrick Heck
*
District 2 Alder
Madison Common Council
John Hutchinson
GSSBA Representative
Owner, 210 N. Henry LLC
Jacqueline Iribarren
State Street Business Ower
Owner, ReThreads
Nick Newlin
At Large Member
Shine Advertising
Saran Ouk
*
City of Madison Office of Business Resources
City of Madison Economic Development
Colin Smith
State Street – Property or Business Owner
Director of Business Development, JD McCormick Properties
Susan Springman (Immediate Past Chair)
*
Capitol Square - Property Owner
Senior Project Manager, Mullins Group
Mike Verveer
*
District 4 Alder
Madison Common Council
Vic Villacrez (Chair)
Capitol Square - Property Owner
Senior Project Manager, Hovde Properties
Brad Werntz
West Main Street - Property or Business Owner
Boulder's Climbing Gym
Jonathan Zarov
Tax Exempt Entity
Director of Marketing & Communications, Madison Children’s Museum
Vernon Ziegler
University of Wisconsin Student
University of Wisconsin - Madison
*non-voting members
Meetings & Agendas
BID Board Meetings
The BID Board meets the 1st Thursday of the month.
Meetings are held from Noon-1:30 pm, Hovde Building, 122 W. Washington Ave., 1st fl. Conference Rm. Madison, WI
If you need an interpreter, material in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this service, activity or program, please contact the BID office at 608-512-1340 at least 3 business days in advance.
Board meetings are open meetings, and BID business and property owners are invited and encouraged to attend. You are welcome to speak/provide public comment at the meeting. Please fill out a speaker registration form and give to the Board chair before the meeting.
BID Board Agendas & Minutes
Madison's Central Business Improvement District agendas are on file with the City of Madison.
For copies of the BID Board Agendas or Minutes please contact BID Operations Director Tim Jenquin at tjenquin@visitdowntownmadison.com.
Operating Plan
City Approved Operating Plan
2022/23 Annual Meeting Agenda -
Open PDF
2022/23 Annual Meeting Presentation -
Open Slide Show
2022/23 Annual Meeting Meeting Minutes -
click here
2022/23 Budget Review -
Open PDF
2022 BID Meeting and Event Calendar
BID State Statute
Wisconsin State Statutes requires that the BID Board be composed of at least five members and that a majority of the Board members shall either own or occupy real property in the District. If the actual property or business owner is an entity, that entity shall designate a representative to act on its behalf. The Board is responsible for the implementation of the operating plan. This requires the Board to negotiate with providers of services and materials to carry out the operating plan; to enter into various contracts; to monitor the effectiveness of the District's activities; to aid compliance with the provisions of applicable statutes and regulations; and to make reimbursements for any overpayments of District assessments.