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City Cast Madison

Rob Thomas

For 160 years, the 65-acre Voit Farm was a fixture on Madison’s east side, an oasis of rural life in a fast-growing city. But the farm buildings were torn down in 2025 to make way for 

an ambitious redevelopment plan that could include hundreds of homes, new streets, green space, a shared-use path

Here’s a closer look at a development that will transform Madison’s east side:

When the Voit family built their farm in the 1860s, the area was still considered rural. The farm included 23 acres of land dedicated to growing crops as well as a silo, a barn, two houses, wetlands, a fishing pond, and a ready-mix concrete plant.

The Voit family owned the farm until 2021, when 

they sold the property for over $8 million

 to the Starkweather development company, which is a partnership between Stone House Development and Threshold Development. Since then, the companies have used tax increment financing from the city to develop housing on the property.

announced plans to buy three acres of the land from the developers for $4.3 million

 as part of its plan to create more affordable housing. [🔒WSJ, WPR]

In June, Stone House Development President Helen Bradbury told the city council that around 

30 acres of the property could be developed into up to 1,000 units of both market rate and affordable housing

, with the rest set aside for wetlands and green space. The development will also include new cross streets to facilitate access, a bike/pedestrian path, a dog park and more.

Facing rising population and home prices, Madison has set 

its goal of adding 15,000 new homes by 2030

, a quarter of those affordable in the long term. The city’s housing tracker says more than 4,300 net new homes have been built since January 2025, with another 4,500 currently under construction. [WPR, City of Madison]

Starkweather began construction in May, and the entire project is expected to last five to 10 years. 

Construction on the parcels purchased by the city could start in 2027

For 160 years, the 65-acre Voit Farm was a Madison fixture. Explore the ambitious new redevelopment plan bringing hundreds of homes, green space, and affordable housing to the city's east side.

Voit Farm Redevelopment: Transforming Madison’s East Side

How Voit Farm Will Transform Madison’s East Side

What Madisonians have been wondering. We break down why things in Madison are the way they are and how they work.

Madison, Explained

This week's news quiz dives into everything from a new downtown restaurant to a big shake-up at UW-Madison. Can you get every question right? 

Take Our Quiz on Recent Madison News! 

Test Your Madison News Knowledge!

With its boarded-over windows, weed-choked grounds and cracked parking lot, the Wonder Bar Steakhouse at 222 E. Olin Avenue has certainly seen better days. No wonder 

that a developer wants to tear down the bar, which has been closed for five years, and the also-shuttered Coliseum Bar & Grill

 next door and build a project that includes housing, commercial space and a bike trail.

But some neighbors say that if the building is demolished, so will its colorful history. They want to see it preserved somehow for future generations.

That preservation plan had a big setback recently when the city’s Landmarks Commission 

recommended denying the building landmark status

. However, the commission did say the site has historic value, which could add extra requirement permits to be secured before the building is demolished. [WMTV, WKOW]

Here’s a look at the Wonder Bar’s colorful history of mobsters and ghosts:

The Wonder Bar was opened in 1929 by Roger “The Terrible” Touhy

, an Irish-American mob boss in Chicago who was a rival of Al Capone. Some say Touhy was raking in over $1 million a year from bootlegging and gambling, and he opened the Wonder Bar as a place to launder his illicit gains out of state, and make more money smuggling booze into Wisconsin.

It was also an opportunity for Touhy’s bartender brother Eddie. The castle-like building was originally known as 

 and then Eddie’s Wonder Bar, and its clientele supposedly included famous mobsters of the day, including John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. Although, as with so much surrounding the Wonder Bar, it’s hard to separate lore from reality. [ 🔒MJS, Cap Times]

The bar was often under surveillance by the FBI, and rumor has it that sections of the turret towers could be removed for mobsters to poke their tommyguns through in case of a raid. No shootouts were ever recorded.

There was also reportedly a tunnel that ran east towards Lake Monona that gangsters could use to smuggle booze and to escape if the “G-men” ever stormed the bar.

Eddie “disappeared” sometime in the 1950s, and rumor has it that 

his body was buried under the fireplace on the second floor

. Employees shared stories of hearing footsteps in the building in unoccupied areas, or finding objects moved from their original location. One manager said a friend of his went into the basement and felt like he was being choked. [American Ghost Walks]

While the Wonder Bar’s mob ties were cut in the 1950s, its history made the bar a favorite of local luminaries, 

who ordered martinis and gathered around the bar’s roaring fireplace

It was especially popular among UW Badger fans

, coaches and ex-players like Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch. The walls were decorated with remnants of its gangster past, including Frank Sinatra’s 1938 mug shot. [Cap Times, Madison Magazine]

The Wonder Bar closed in early 2021, a casualty of the COVID pandemic. Then-owner Dick Whelan was working with developers on building a $40 million, 18-story residential and commercial project. But those plans were put on hold by the Madison Plan Commission after 

a city preservation planner said the building had historic value

. It’s sat unoccupied for the past five years, waiting for the last chapter in its story to be told. [WMTV]

The Madison City Council will take up the Landmarks Commission’s recommendation on Sept. 8.

Discover the history of Madison's Wonder Bar Steakhouse as neighbors fight to save the Prohibition-era mobster hangout from a developer's demolition plans. 

The Colorful, Spooky History of Madison’s Wonder Bar

Uncovering the Ghosts of Madison’s Wonder Bar 

Privacy activists have been urging local governments to end their contracts with Flock Safety, which supplies police departments with automated license plate readers. When the city of 

Fitchburg voted in May to end its contract with Flock

Fitchburg city officials will test alternatives to Flock from two of its competitors, Axon and Motorola

. Officials hope the cameras will provide police with important information without the privacy and security risks associated with Flock. But some privacy experts don’t see much of a difference. [News 3, 🔒 WSJ]

📹 What’s the Concern About Flock Cameras? 

Flock safety has about 120,000 cameras across the country

, using artificial intelligence to record and store data such as license plate numbers, and car makes and models. Proponents say they help law enforcement find criminals more quickly.

But opponents say the cameras are unwanted government surveillance of its citizens. There have also been multiple cases of 

law enforcement officers abusing their access to Flock data

, such as a Milwaukee police officer who allegedly used Flock cameras 

to track the person he was dating and her ex

While Flock Safety made changes to its network

 aimed at cutting down on abuse and misuse, several local governments ended their Flock contracts in response to public backlash.

After Flock refused to remove its cameras after Dane County ended its contract in April, 

. While the Madison Police Department does not use Flock cameras, and 

still four cameras around the Capitol Square used by state police

🚨 Fitchburg Tries Out Different Cameras: 

Fitchburg Police Capt. Andrew McCarthy said automated license plate readers have been “incredibly, incredibly useful for investigations,” saying there are 

dozens of examples where data from such cameras has led to a case being solved

The department will try out cameras from Motorola and will also test a system from Axon. Unlike Flock, officials say Motorola and Axon do not have nationwide data searches available to anyone who has an account, such as immigration enforcement. [🔒 WSJ]

 But privacy experts say Axon cameras still record all kinds of personal information without permission. And they say it may be even 

 because Axon’s cameras are part of a larger data-gathering ecosystem that includes police body-worn cameras and drones.

Opponents of license plate readers say the answer is not switching companies, but putting restrictions on the collection and use of such data into law. 

Sixteen states currently have such statutes on their books

 – but not Wisconsin. [Jalopnik, National Conference of State Legislature]

Fitchburg ends its Flock Safety license plate reader contract over privacy concerns, testing alternatives from Axon and Motorola despite expert skepticism.

Axon Cameras May Replace Flock Cameras in Fitchburg 

Fitchburg Took Down Flock Cameras, But Will Test Others

While much of the attention of the Aug. 11 Wisconsin primary has been focused on the governor’s race, voters in Assembly District 76 – which covers much of Madison’s isthmus – have another important choice to make. Five candidates are running for the seat being vacated by state Rep. Francesca Hong, who is in the Democratic primary for governor.

. City Cast Madison sent each of them a questionnaire to hear about their priorities, the most important issues facing their district, and what distinguishes them from the other candidates. Their unedited responses are below.

What is the single most pressing issue facing the 76th and how will you address it?

 Housing affordability. Rents have greatly outpaced wages, and property taxes are sky high. We need to expand the Homestead Tax Credit, grow a diverse housing stock, and connect our city with the rest of Dane County via transit. We can do this with targeted investment into cooperatives, condos, and duplexes to increase affordable supply and decrease demand by making it possible to live outside of Madison and still be able to enjoy all Madison has to offer.

 Affordability especially as it pertains to housing both for homeowners and renters. We need to take homeowners off the hook for funding our public school system at the rate that they are. We can save a lot of money by ending the failed school voucher system and rescinding some of the tax breaks for the very wealthy and corporations. We need to develop a progressive tax structure to better fund our public commons overall. We need to legalize marijuana completely for recreational and medicinal use. It's unfortunate that we have to use the sales of a controlled substance to help fund our educational system but when you see that Illinois raised over $600 million in 2025 from their legal cannabis sales it makes sense.

 The cost of living is out of control. Rent, healthcare, and property taxes keep getting more expensive while our incomes remain the same. We are being priced out of the neighborhoods we love, and Republicans refuse to act. Our government needs to be doing so much more to make life affordable. In the Assembly, I’ll raise wages, cap utility and healthcare costs, invest in truly affordable housing, deliver universal no-cost childcare, go after companies that are price gouging Wisconsin families, and lower property taxes by fully funding public schools and breaking the cycle of endless referendums.

Increasing affordability is the most pressing issue for my district. There are working families in the 76th that are being pushed out of the homes by rising property taxes, and families who can’t even afford baby formula. I plan on addressing this by lowering rent and property taxes; funding our schools; and raising wages. We’ll lower property taxes by 44% and fund our schools with the 17-cent Millionaire Tax, AB 1209. We’ll legalize rent control and use the $2 billion in tax breaks for data centers to build homes instead. We’ll raise our minimum wage to $23/hr and tie it to the cost of living.

 Housing is the single most pressing issue facing the district. I will address this by working to ease the restrictions on the $500 million dollar housing fund that WHEDA oversees and by pushing to allocate a portion of the state budget surplus to housing-related grants for low-income housing developers and providers.

What's the most important issue facing the state at large?

 For the past 15 years, Republican budgets have divested from our education, our healthcare, and our environment. We need to reshape our budget to prioritize the needs of people. That means reinvesting in the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Fund, increasing our special education reimbursement rate to be sum sufficient, and creating a Badgercare public option.

 The same as what is affecting the 76th District. Affordability and reversing the long standing attack on our public commons by Republicans over the last 40 years. We have to build our public school system (K-12, Technical Schools and the UW) back to full strength and effectiveness.

 From rising costs to continued attacks on our democracy, so many of the crises we face are the result of a government that answers to billionaires instead of working people. Our politicians shouldn’t be bought by big corporations and wealthy donors. I’m running because we need a government that is accountable and responsive to the needs of the people. This year, we have an opportunity to elect a new legislature and pass bold, progressive policies that will actually make our lives better. That’s what I’ve fought for as an alder in Madison, and I’ll bring that same fight to the State Capitol.

 Every Democrat should agree that we must undo Act 10 on Day 1. I am ready to fight for what’s next after we restore prevailing wage, repeal right-to-work, and other anti-labor laws packed into Act 10. Then we will be back in 2011 Wisconsin. We need legislation that reflects the labor needs of 2026 and beyond. An organized workforce is essential to realizing our vision of a Wisconsin where everyone has a home, healthcare, a good job, and good schools. Additionally, we must make Healthcare accessible to all by expanding BadgerCare and FMLA services and eligibility.

 The cap is coming off the school voucher program this year, which could create a massive drain on state funding for public schools by siphoning it away to private and charter schools. Such an impact would not only damage state finances but also homeowners across the state who have been repeatedly asked to subsidize for-profit education by making up the difference left in their local school district's budget.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

Experience. We need representation that is ready to hit the ground running, and I have a proven record of working in legislative offices, crafting legislation, and a commitment to growing progressive power in the legislature. I have worked both inside and outside Democratic leadership, and I know the work it takes to turn a platform into policy. This next legislative session, where we have an opportunity to win a Democratic majority, Madison is going to need active representation that is ready to fight for everything we have been neglected over the last 15 years.

 My long term commitment to and involvement in this community. I have lived, worked and raised my family in the 76th District. I have been doing the things my opponents say they want to do.

 I don’t have the typical background of someone who runs for the Assembly. I’ve experienced homelessness, gone without healthcare, and made $2.33 an hour in the food service industry. And as a transgender woman, I know what it feels like to see your basic rights and freedoms come under attack. That perspective is missing from the legislature. I’ve lived the policy failures of our state government. That’s something no degree or consultant can teach you. I carry those experiences with me, and they guide every decision I make as an elected official. This fight isn’t political for me. It’s personal.

 There are three things that set me apart from my fellow candidates: 1. I am the only candidate with experience in all levels of government: as Madison Alder, as the Federal Legislative Liaison for WHEDA, and as the Chief of Staff to State Representative Angelito Tenorio. 2. I’m running on the 17 cent Millionaire Tax. This bill meets one of the most pressing needs of this district, to lower property taxes and fund our schools by supplementing school aid with funds from higher income earners. 3. I’m endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers - Wisconsin, Madison Area DSA, and national DSA.

 I bring a systems lens to my analysis and so think about how different pieces of an issue connect to other areas. One example of this is recognizing that part of the traffic problem on East Washington Avenue could be solved through a robust regional transit system that would reduce the need for cars.

Would you support a moratorium on hyperscale data centers in Wisconsin? Why or why not?

 Yes. We cannot allow any infrastructure to be built that poses a danger to our water, our planet, or our people. We need to ensure that our ratepayers are protected from spikes in utility rates, and we need to know that our water will not be jeopardized for a private entity's profit. In addition, we need to dramatically grow our green energy infrastructure to ensure that the immense power needs of these data centers will not generate carbon emissions that are dangerous to our planet.

 Definitely. The proliferation of data centers in Wisconsin and around the country especially in the midwest is getting out of hand. During this 5 year moratorium we should be using all resources from our UW System to really study and research the impact data centers have on our environment, water supply and rates.

: I am the only candidate in this race who has actually passed a moratorium on data centers. As an alder in Madison, I was proud to sponsor our first-in-the-state moratorium on large-scale data centers. In the Assembly, I’ll do the same at the state level. We need strict guardrails to limit the energy and water consumption of data centers and ensure they do not raise our utility bills or cause irreparable damage to our communities. I’ll fight for local control and real community input so that municipalities can protect their residents. Wisconsin’s future should not be up for sale to Big Tech.

: We must put a moratorium on hyperscale data centers until we pass serious legislative regulations to safeguard against its large ecological impact at Wisconsinites’ expense. Data center owners must be held accountable and charged for the degradation of water quality, burden on the electrical grid, and other negative impacts they cause on their surrounding communities and environment. We must end the tax exemptions and non-disclosure agreements (NDA) so that communities can not be sold off by secret deals. Instead, these funds and jobs should be moved towards affordable housing development.

: Yes, I not only support a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, but I would work to repeal the tax credit the legislature passed in 2023 subsidizing these projects.

What's something the state government currently isn't doing, but could do, to help ease Madison's housing crisis?

 Increase incentives to build dense housing, and decrease regulations that make building dense housing expensive. We can invest in condos, duplexes, and co-ops to allow more people to live in our wonderful city. In addition, we can change our building code to allow for single-stairway buildings to be built. These are not flashy policies, but they will grow our housing stock in a way that will help a growing city like ours.

: Stop private equity / outside hedge funds to buy up available housing stock. Keep investment local. Build more rental housing.

: As an alder, I’ve secured over $60 million in affordable housing investments and reformed zoning codes so we can build more homes. But we can only do so much when the state ties our hands. In the Assembly, I will fight to pass a Tenant Bill of Rights, reduce property taxes so people aren’t priced out, expand tax credits and eligibility for affordable housing units, and restore local control by repealing the bans on rent stabilization and inclusionary zoning so that local governments can actually meet the needs of their residents. Housing is a right, and it’s time our state treats it as one.

: The state could create a public bank, which could work with local financial to institutions provide low-interest financing to low-income housing developers. This would help facilitate new construction.

: The state could create a public bank, which could work with local financial institutions to provide low-interest financing to low-income housing developers. This would help facilitate new construction.

What's your philosophy when it comes to working across the political aisle with Republican colleagues?

: I have worked with Republican officials as a staffer. We often did not see eye-to-eye, but we tried to find common ground where possible. Always start from where you can agree, and continue on from there. Those areas of agreement may be small, but if they exist there is hope for progress. I will never sacrifice my values, but it is the responsibility of any legislator to be at any table where a decision will be made that will impact your constituents.

: I believe and know that I can relate to just about anyone for the common good. If you develop legislation that benefits the common good you should be able to convince others of the benefits. I have friends that are Republicans and family members that are as well if you can believe Chicanos voting for Trump.

: I’m a coalition builder. On the Common Council, I am proud to have authored legislation that has received unanimous support from my colleagues. I’ve earned the trust of people who don’t always see eye to eye with me, because even if we disagree, they know that I always show up authentically and fight for the people I represent. We need a legislator who can get things done no matter what our government looks like in 2027. I’m ready to reach across the aisle, but in the face of fascism, we must stand strong in our values and defend the dignity of all people. We cannot negotiate on human rights.

: I’m very comfortable talking with people who disagree with me, something I did often as a federal legislative liaison and Chief of Staff to a progressive representative. So I’m ready to organize across the aisle to proactively protect and uplift working families and marginalized communities across the state.

: I am very open to working across the aisle with people who are committed to the well-being of Wisconsinites and our state as a whole. I have experience finding ground with people from a broad range of backgrounds, and that is the attitude I would bring to the Assembly if elected.

: Argus Bar & Grille's "Ten Cent Tommy’s Chopped Cheese"

: So many but right now I've been frequenting AMA a lot for their delicious breakfasts.

: When I moved to Madison, my very first job was at Monty’s Blue Plate Diner. I waited tables and got to know the people and community I would later represent as an alder. That’s where I realized that Madison is the first place in my life where I’ve felt like I actually belong. We have so many wonderful restaurants with fantastic food, but going to Monty's will always mean something special to me. And the Veggie Meatloaf of The Gods with that amazing cashew gravy always makes me happy!

: When I get paid out well in tips, I like to splurge on yellow curry chicken, sticky rice, and Thai Iced coffee at Ha Long Bay!

: The coconut curry dish at Alchemy is my favorite meal in Madison.

Find information about the candidates running for Wisconsin's Assembly District 76 seat in the upcoming primary election.

Wisconsin District 76 Primary Candidate Information

Meet the Madison Democrats Running For Assembly District 76

Jade Iseri-Ramos

The statewide Aug. 11 primary is just two weeks away. Knowing what you’re voting on and when and where to vote can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you need to know 🗳️

On the ballot for all of Wisconsin is the gubernatorial primary race. There are two candidates on the Republican ticket and seven on the Democratic one. (

. Only five are still in the running. Missy Hughes and Sara Rodriguez have both suspended their campaigns but their names remain on the ballot.)

City Cast Madison has had a chance to talk to a majority of the candidates on our podcast. On the Dems’ side, we’ve had conversations with State Sen. 

, former Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration 

On the Republican side, we have an interview with the underdog in the race, 

, and multiple asks out to U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.

Meanwhile, voters in the 76th Assembly district

 have a consequential primary on their ballots. Five Democratic candidates are vying for the seat currently held by gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong. The winner of the primary will face off with Republican candidate Nina Chat in a district where Democrats are heavily favored.

Where do the candidates stand on the issues? 

We asked the five democratic candidates to fill out a questionnaire. 

 hosted by the SASY Neighborhood Association, Indivisible Madison East, and Williamson Marquette Business Alliance, moderated by Isthmus.

Other statewide primaries will also appear on your ballot, but the races are determined by which political party you choose to cast your votes for. A full breakdown of what voters in all primaries will see on their ballots can be found at 

Where and when can I vote on Election Day? 

Polls are open on Aug. 11 from 7 a.m to 8 p.m. (If you’re in line by 8 p.m., state law says you have to be allowed to vote – so stay in line!) You can find your polling place at 

What do I need to bring with me to vote? 

If you are already registered to vote, all you need to bring with you is a 

. If you aren’t registered to vote or have moved since the last election, you will also need to bring 

, such as a lease, utility bill, or bank statement.

In-person absentee voting starts today. If you live in Madison, you can vote at any of the 

, which includes libraries, churches, and the Madison Municipal Building. (For voters outside of Madison city limits, early polling locations can be found on 

.) Make sure you bring ID and proof of residence if needed!

anyone can request an absentee ballot up until the Thursday before election day

. However, it’s recommended to make the request as soon as possible to leave ample time for delivery and return. Absentee ballots must be received by election day to be counted. In addition to returning your ballot by mail, you can drop it in a 

 or take it to an early polling location. On Election Day, you can return it to your assigned polling place.

If I already voted absentee, can I change my vote before Election Day? 

Even if the candidate you voted for has suspended their campaign, your vote is still locked in.

Get ready for the Wisconsin election on August 11. Learn where to vote in Madison, what ID to bring, how to vote early, and mail-in ballot deadlines.

What’s On Your Ballot in the August 11 Wisconsin Primary

Your Guide to the August Primary Election in Wisconsin 

Everybody knows Madison is the capital of Wisconsin. And while the Capitol rotunda isn’t going anywhere soon, our state government has embarked on a long-term plan called Vision 2030 to reduce its physical footprint in downtown Madison.

Here’s why the state is implementing Vision 2030, and what downtown state-owned buildings might be transformed by the plan.

, released in May 2021, pointed out that the state is faced with aging infrastructure, staffing challenges, and a greater demand for digital rather than in-person services.

With employees increasingly working remotely following the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials said it was a good time to plan to sell off underused office space to both raise revenue and modernize how it operates. [Dept. of Administration]

In 2025, Republicans in the state Legislature passed a law that required any government employee who worked in an office before the pandemic to return to their desks. 

, pointing to the Vision 2030 plan. “State government is working smarter and faster than before,” Evers said at the time.

Vision 2030 has come up in this year’s race for governor

. Former Republican candidate and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann proposed moving agencies out of Madison and into more conservative parts of the state, while U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany said he was focused on rooting out “waste, fraud, and abuse” in state government, not what he called “rearranging the furniture.”

Among the Democratic candidates, including former Dept. of Administration head Joel Brennan, who actually helped develop Vision 2030, the focus has been on making sure state agencies are as effective as possible and that citizens across the state can access resources. [

, noting that developers are eager to buy those in-demand properties from the state. [Cap Times, Wisconsin Watch, WKOW]

The most high-profile example of these properties being sold is 

the former Department of Human Services building at 1 W. Wilson St

. The 1930s Art Deco style building is being eyed as the site of a future Amtrak station for Madison when rail service returns to the city, which could be as early as 2030. The building would also hold retail and office space. [WPR]

The state is proposing to accept a $12.6 million offer for two aging government buildings on South Webster Street near the Capitol Square. Father-and-son developers Brad and Mark Binkowski 

are hoping to turn the former General Executive Facility 2 and 3 buildings

 into two apartment buildings with a combined 300 to 400 units, along with commercial space and a large open area between the buildings. [🔒WSJ]

Wisconsin is shrinking its downtown Madison office space. Learn how the long-term Vision 2030 plan will change the state government's physical footprint.

Madison, Explained

How Voit Farm Will Transform Madison’s East Side

Test Your Madison News Knowledge!

Uncovering the Ghosts of Madison’s Wonder Bar

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