Initial designs to transform Lake Monona’s western waterfront into extensive public park facilities near downtown Madison have been pared down due to higher anticipated construction costs.
A previously planned 4,000-square-foot pier is set to become a viewing deck of around 500 to 600 square feet on Lake Monona along John Nolen Drive as part of the Madison LakeWay project. Plans for new bike and pedestrian paths, greenery, and natural stormwater management measures associated with the initiative are unaffected by the change.
Roughly $12 million has been budgeted for phase 1 (dubbed the “Skyline”) of the LakeWay project, while preliminary expenses had been projected at around $13.5 million with the pier included, according to project manager Mike Sturm. The downsized structure, which could accommodate around 20 to 25 people, puts the project back “within target” financially, as it requires far fewer costly in-water pile foundations than a larger pier…