The Madison riverfront would not be the beauty that it is today if it were not for the countless people that have helped make it happen. The riverfront used to be a place that you couldn’t see from the street. However, in 1986, there was a desire by a group of people and the city of Madison to change that. On March 18, 1986, the city of Madison created the Riverfront Development, and appointed members to the committee. The dream of having a more beautiful riverfront didn’t happen easily as recently there was a sudden loss of jobs with a company shutting down its location in Madison.
The Madison Riverfront had to have funds in order to build a beautiful riverfront. They recieved part of these funds from a previously created organization which was the Madison Urban Enterprise Association. This was a organization that received money from private donors and riverfront land owners. Madison Urban Enterprise Association Members: David Collier Julie Berry Forrest Douglas Harold Hadley Georgia Holwager Bob Rigney Margery Turner Dr. Robert Wall George Wesbecker With money from this, and money that the city of Madison approved to set aside money into an account to be used by the Riverfront Committee on November 18th, 1986, the Riverfront Committee was created and started the development of the Madison riverfront.
Council members and officials present on November 18th, 1986
Mark Lytle,
Former Mayor of Madison Betty Brunton,
Clerk-Treasurer Spence Schonaitter
City Council:
Jeff Garrett
John Miller
Tom Stoner
Don Joslin
Gus Schmidt
Art Welsh
Jack Dwyer
Riverfront Committee members appointed by the Madison City Council on March 18, 1986
Dave Collier – MBPA
Bob Snelling – Regatta
Jean Harned – Visters Council
Randy Thorton – Jaycees
Dave Dione – Tourism Board
Dixie McDonough – Chautauqua
George Wesbecker – Parks
Mary Clashman – Citizen
Jeff Garrett – Enterprise Zone
Bobbe Suchocki- Chamber of Commerce
Sharon Kane – Shawe High School
Port Authority will make a appointment
Anne Perry – MCHS
The first official public meeting of the riverfront committee happened on March 26, 1986. People Present:
Bill Bennett
Mary Clashman
Dave Collier
Dick Davis
Jack Dwyer
Harold Hadley
Georgia R. Holwager
Sharon M. Kahn
Tom Kelly
Charles McAfee
Dixie McDonough
Bob Snelling
Ora Spaid
Randy Thornton
George Wesbecker
Named to the committee, but not present:
Julie Berry
Dave Dionne
Jeff Garrett
Jeanne Harned
Don Joslin
John Miller
Ann Perry
Bobbe Suchockie
Member from Labor
Member from Port Authority