Lake Monona waterfront plans refined as designers work to stay on budget

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Plans to redesign a stretch of the Lake Monona waterfront are moving forward, with project leaders confirming that while some design elements are being refined, the overall budget and timeline for the first phase remain unchanged.

The Madison LakeWay project aims to transform roughly 1.7 miles of shoreline from Machinery Row to Olin Park, replacing a narrow, shared path with separated bike lanes, walking and running paths, boardwalks over the water, and expanded green space.

“Right now, really, the space is inaccessible. People aren’t using it. It’s 1.7 miles of beautiful lakefront that we can’t get to,” said Jayme Powers, CEO of Madison LakeWay Partners. “And so, this project really speaks to that.”

City officials and project partners recently confirmed updated construction cost estimates for the first portion of phase one came in higher than expected. In response, designers are refining the scope of one highly visible feature — the SkyLine, or Capitol View, pier.

“So yes, there is one element that we’re scaling back a bit to responsibly address the budget issue, but it’s not that we have a funding shortfall,” Powers said. “It was a bigger plan than what we had budgeted for. So, we just have to address that.”

Project leaders emphasized the budget for the first section of phase one remains $12 million. Dane County has committed $2 million, the City of Madison $7 million, with Madison LakeWay Partners contributing the remaining $3 million.

According to city officials and designers, the SkyLine Pier was originally envisioned as a larger gathering space. It is now being resized to accommodate about 20 to 30 people, with fewer support piles in the water — a change aimed at reducing construction complexity and cost while maintaining views of Lake Monona and the Capitol.

In a statement, Madison Parks Director Eric Knepp said the adjustment reflects a common step in large infrastructure projects.

Other elements of the first phase remain unchanged, including curved boardwalks extending over the lake, native plantings and trees, and newly separated paths made possible by narrowing John Nolen Drive. Project leaders say that change will add about 18 feet of usable space along the waterfront, improving safety and accessibility.

Concerns and questions about the design update were raised during a public information meeting Monday. Another meeting is scheduled for Friday as planners review feedback and move toward final design.

Construction on the first section of phase one is expected to begin next year, with completion planned for winter 2028.

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