For a little more than a year, the Hoyt Park Area Joint Steering Committee has been hard at work developing a master plan for the neighborhoods bordered by Franklin Ave., Mineral Point Road, Midvale Blvd. and University Avenue.
A draft plan has been prepared which addresses park and open space, housing, Owen Parkway improvements, and bike and pedestrian improvements. Neighborhood associations have had the opportunity to review the plan and make comments on draft plan.
Planning continues to progress with the September meeting of the Hoyt Park Area Joint Steering Committee (HPAJSC) scheduled for September 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church located at 518 N. Franklin Ave.
For more information on the plan visit the HPAJSC website.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Situated unassuming at the end of a strip mall at the corner of University Avenue and Farley Street is a bookstore called "Booked For Murder". Dubbed the the mystery reader's paradise, you may have guessed that the shop specializes in murder mysteries."Booked For Murder" is more than a bookstore, however. They are home to a number of book clubs and like their big store brothers, hold book readings and signings by local authors.
One such event is scheduled for this Thursday September 6 at 6:00 p.m. where local author Teri Woods will read from her first novel "The Fixer". This self-published novel is gaining critical acclaim and Internet chatter that is unusual for self-published authors. Considering most self-published books only sell about 150 copies, "The Fixer" is blowing that statistic out of the water. Woods has sold more 10,000 copies!
If you are looking for something to do on Thursday, join me at Booked For Murder. Or pick up a copy of the novel at Booked for Murder. You won't be disappointed!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Is Your Home Worth as Much as You Think?
A survey of home buyers and sellers taken earlier this year by HomeGain.com, a real estate services website, indicated that 76 percent of homeowners believe their house is worth more than the list price recommended by their real estate agent.
Not surprising, since homeowners have an emotional investment in their property. They have memories and nostalgia wrapped up in four walls and a roof. In reality, your house is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. No more and no less. That figure doesn't always jive with the homeowners opinion of the value.
Home buyers today usually have a better handle on the value of a property than the home seller does. Buyers are out there looking. They know what's on the market, how long it's been listed, what sells and how quickly and they can usually pinpoint why a property doesn't sell.
If you are thinking about selling, rely on logic rather than emotion when pricing your home. It also might be wise to enlist the help of a Realtor to have a third-party provide expertise and guidance.
Not surprising, since homeowners have an emotional investment in their property. They have memories and nostalgia wrapped up in four walls and a roof. In reality, your house is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. No more and no less. That figure doesn't always jive with the homeowners opinion of the value.
Home buyers today usually have a better handle on the value of a property than the home seller does. Buyers are out there looking. They know what's on the market, how long it's been listed, what sells and how quickly and they can usually pinpoint why a property doesn't sell.
If you are thinking about selling, rely on logic rather than emotion when pricing your home. It also might be wise to enlist the help of a Realtor to have a third-party provide expertise and guidance.
Monday, August 27, 2012
They're Baaaack!
If you live anywhere near the west side of Madison, you know they are back! There are telltale signs; increased scooter traffic, empty grocery store shelves and the most telling sign of all, heaps of trash along curbs and parkways spilling from downtown streets to the avenues and boulevards that abutt the downtown area. Of course, I'm talking about the college students.
As a Madison native, I enjoy the serenity of summertime in Madison. Most of the students have headed home or to an internship or overseas adventure. The campus is quiet and so are the surrounding neighborhoods.
But I am engergized as Fall approaches and the students return. There is an increased intensity in the city and the sleepiness of summer begins to wake with the renewed enthusiasm of these young people full of hope and promise.
Oh, there are certainly drawbacks to their presense - try to find a shower curtain at the Hilldale Target and you are out of luck - but in my mind, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The college students are as much a part of Madison as the residents that welcome them each Fall.
As a Madison native, I enjoy the serenity of summertime in Madison. Most of the students have headed home or to an internship or overseas adventure. The campus is quiet and so are the surrounding neighborhoods.
But I am engergized as Fall approaches and the students return. There is an increased intensity in the city and the sleepiness of summer begins to wake with the renewed enthusiasm of these young people full of hope and promise.
Oh, there are certainly drawbacks to their presense - try to find a shower curtain at the Hilldale Target and you are out of luck - but in my mind, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The college students are as much a part of Madison as the residents that welcome them each Fall.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Gates and Brovi
Gates and Brovi, a restaurant owned by Phillip Hurley and John Gadau of Marigold Kitchen and Sardine Fame will occupy the first floor of the new development. The name of the restaurant may sound more like a business firm than a restaurant, but Hurley assures me the name has meaning.
"It's named after my grandfather and John's father, two people who have had great influence on each of our careers," explains Hurley.
The restaurant is expected to be family friendly and neighborhood oriented. It is slated to open in September.
The restaurant will be a welcome addition to an already vibrant neighborhood. Watch for details about an opening soon!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Home Sales on the Rise
The numbers are in...and the news is good if you are selling or purchasing a home. Wisconsin home sales continued to grow at a healthy pace during the first half of 2012. Sales of existing homes were up 19.3 percent in June over June of last year, according to the most recent monthly report by the Wisconsin Realtors Association. This continues a pattern that began last summer.
Since the beginning of the year, home sales were up 20.6 percent. The report also showed June median home prices increased 1.4 percent to $142,000 relative to the same month last year which is the fourth straight month of increasing median prices.
Closer to home on the near west side of Madison we are seeing similar trends. Some homes in the Westmorland area are receiving offers within days of being listed. Also, for the first time in recent history, inventory is down. While it's still a buyers market, those buyers are finding fewer choices. We also continue to see the most sought after homes in the $200,000-$250,000 price range.
It's a fabulous time! If you are thinking of buying or selling...jump in, the water's fine!
Since the beginning of the year, home sales were up 20.6 percent. The report also showed June median home prices increased 1.4 percent to $142,000 relative to the same month last year which is the fourth straight month of increasing median prices.
Closer to home on the near west side of Madison we are seeing similar trends. Some homes in the Westmorland area are receiving offers within days of being listed. Also, for the first time in recent history, inventory is down. While it's still a buyers market, those buyers are finding fewer choices. We also continue to see the most sought after homes in the $200,000-$250,000 price range.
It's a fabulous time! If you are thinking of buying or selling...jump in, the water's fine!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Keyes Vs. Keys
There are some odd street names in Madison. Segoe Road, for instance is pronouced See-go. Some newcomers pronouce it Seh-gow, I presume because of the spelling.
I recently had a conversation with a woman about Keyes Ave. on the near west side in the West Lawn neighborhood. The street name is pronounced as though the first "e" were an "i" and the "es" at the end were a "z" as in Kih-z.
During our conversation, she mentioned that the new homeowners in the area pronounced the street "Keys". That made me sad, since the street name has historical significance. It was named after Elisha William Keyes, who was a Republican politician, postmaster of Madison for many years and Madison Mayor from 1865-67 and again from 1885-86. He was also a state assemblyman.
Street names with historical significance are plentiful on the near west side. The streets near Vilas Zoo are named for U.S. Presidents. In University Heights, street names such as "Summit" and "Prospect" suggested high class as well as geograhy. Most other streets in University Heights were named in honor of University professors and presidents.
As homes turnover and new families move into neighborhoods, I hope we don't lose the history of the city. It may only be a street name, but it's also a part of the legacy of Madison.
I recently had a conversation with a woman about Keyes Ave. on the near west side in the West Lawn neighborhood. The street name is pronounced as though the first "e" were an "i" and the "es" at the end were a "z" as in Kih-z.
During our conversation, she mentioned that the new homeowners in the area pronounced the street "Keys". That made me sad, since the street name has historical significance. It was named after Elisha William Keyes, who was a Republican politician, postmaster of Madison for many years and Madison Mayor from 1865-67 and again from 1885-86. He was also a state assemblyman.
Street names with historical significance are plentiful on the near west side. The streets near Vilas Zoo are named for U.S. Presidents. In University Heights, street names such as "Summit" and "Prospect" suggested high class as well as geograhy. Most other streets in University Heights were named in honor of University professors and presidents.
As homes turnover and new families move into neighborhoods, I hope we don't lose the history of the city. It may only be a street name, but it's also a part of the legacy of Madison.
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