Warning: This listing is no longer actively maintained. The information below is likely to be out of date.

South Metropolitan Planning Council (SMPC) is a non-profit coalition of neighborhood and business groups that have been working together since 1996 as a catalyst to connect people, resources, and organizations to strengthen Madison's Southside community.

Description:
The SMPC geographic area includes all Town of Madison and City of Madison residents who live within the following boundaries: Regent Street, Monona Bay and Lake Monona on the north; City of Fitchburg on the south; Yahara River and Mud Lake on the east; and Randall Avenue and the western boundary of the University of Wisconsin Arboretum on the west.

The SMPC works to strengthen our Southside community by: building strong neighborhood associations and community groups; getting all Southside residents involved in local affairs and projects; establishing links or partnerships with community organizations and businesses; and improving local initiative and control over resources which affect Southside residents.

History:
The SMPC is working on lots of great projects. It pursues projects based on available resources, neighborhood interest and need, capacity building potential, ability to unite stakeholders, and benefits to the South Madison community.

Some projects are:

ØPark Street Revitalization: Working with the community to revitalize Park Street into a main street that connects neighborhoods, invites walking, promotes all types of transportation, attracts customers to area businesses, and positively reflects the diverse and vibrant local community.

ØSouth Madison Housing Community Team: Community teams are comprised of volunteer residents who work to gather information on a topic of interest to the community; exchange this information and acquire feedback from the larger South Madison community; and collaborate with their neighbors, businesses, and government, to implement physical and policy improvements.

ØSouthern Exposure, Southside Community Newspaper: SMPC publishes this bilingual, volunteer supported quarterly newspaper that builds bridges among residents, businesses and organizations; and informs neighbors about housing, healthcare, and employment. It is mailed to the 15,200 households in the SMPC geographic area.

ØNeighborhood Associations: SMPC organizes and strengthens South Madison neighborhood associations by assisting neighborhood leaders, coaching, offering technical assistance, and providing start-up funding.

Ø"Hands Across South Madison" Grant Program: In 2003, SMPC's business fund raising efforts allowed it to allocate $33,230 in grants to provide needed activities, training programs, and services to community projects including a track and field team for youth and summer writing workshops for middle school students.

ØSouthside Community Farmers' Market: SMPC, local organizations, educational institutions, governmental entities, farmers, and local residents began the Farmers' Market in 2001 (still successful today) to bring local low-cost fruits and vegetables to the community.

ØSouthside Neighborhood Art and Photography Project: Together with local professional photographers, SMPC developed and currently supports this project that teaches Southside youth (9-18 years) photography as a means of self-expression and self-examination.

Contact person: Jodi Wortsman, Volunteer Program, (608) 260-8098, (email)

Address:

2300 S. Park Street Madison, WI 53713 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: All that go to South Transfer, 3 min minute walk