Author: James Shulkin

Last Chance: Be Recognized as a Public Market Champion!

Posted on by James Shulkin

As the 2024 season of giving comes to a close, we ask that you join those supporters who will be permanently recognized on the Market’s Global Table giving wall. We’re so grateful for these much needed gifts to support diverse entrepreneurs and start-up programming.

There’s still time for you to join with us! Thanks to a generous matching gift from PRL Keystone Foundation, all donations will be doubled up to $50,000 through December 31. We’re getting closer to our match – over $35,000 has been raised. Help us cross the finish line!

The deadline for being included on the Giving Wall is December 31, 2024.

Please consider a celebratory finale gift today. Share this special invitation and opportunity to make a positive, meaningful difference in our local community with your family, friends, colleagues and networks!

Construction Update: December 2024

Posted on by James Shulkin

Progress continues with construction of the Madison Public Market. Now, individual vendor market stalls are taking shape, the parking lot has been poured, landscaping is occurring and the exterior is close to finished. A tour on December 9 resulted in these new photos.

This view shows the main entrance from the large parking lot behind the Market.
This exterior view is taken from First Street. This shows one of many exterior seating areas. A beautiful mural will occupy the large exterior wall.
Another exterior view shows new curtain wall windows for TruStage MarketReady Hall. These face the City of Madison pumping station.
Here’s a view of the main MarketHall looking towards First Street. Note the beginnings of vendor stalls and the high ceilings. Incredible artwork will be hung here.
Another view inside MarketHall, this time looking towards the entrance from the back parking lot.
Continuing our tour of the main MarketHall, here you see the entrance from East Johnson St.
Here’s a view from inside the First Street entrance. It’s actually twice this size as the space is duplicated from behind the camera.
This view is from inside TruStage MarketReady Hall, facing the curtain wall window treatment.
The Mezzanine, as seen from TruStage MarketReady Hall, will provide public seating, administrative space and a view of the entire Market.
This view from inside TruStage MarketReady Hall, shows the wide corridor that connects it to the main MarketHall. The cistern on the left is one of three that will store ‘grey water’ used to flush toilets. The Mezzanine is above.

Now Hiring – Chief Operating Officer and Executive Assistant

Posted on by James Shulkin

NOTE: As of 12/13/2024, the application period has closed for these positions.

As we move closer to the Madison Public Market’s opening this summer, two important positions must be filled. The Madison Public Market Foundation (MPMF) is now hiring a Chief Operating Officer to help support Phase II of the facility construction project, and ongoing operations once the Market is open for business. Phase II includes the tenant build-out phase, as well as establishing business services, and the policies and procedures associated with the same. The COO will provide strategic, operational, and financial insight to the CEO while fulfilling the mission and vision of the MPMF and the Market.

MPMF is also hiring an Executive Assistant. The Executive Assistant to the CEO is essential to fulfilling the market’s mission and vision, not only by providing high-level administrative support but also by managing office operations. In this dual role, they ensure organizational efficiency, streamline communication, and create a productive environment that allows the CEO and team to focus on strategic goals and community impact.

For more information and to apply, visit our Indeed.com page.

Madison Public Market Art Projects Take Shape

Posted on by James Shulkin

A Cap Times article dated October 17, 2024 highlights the various public art projects occurring at the Madison Public Market. In late September, the Common Council was presented with a mockup of 10 public artworks destined for the Madison Public Market. The Council approved the artwork, allowing for installation to proceed. As described in the article, the market, which is slated for a July 1, 2025 opening, will host a mix of publicly funded art made possible by public and private donations. Funding sources are: $56,000 is the Percent for Art allocation for the project (1% of city funds committed to any capital project exceeding $5 million); $140,000 from the Madison Arts Commission; $40,000 from the Madison Community Foundation; and $50,000 from the Hoke Family Foundation. Follow the link to read the entire article Madison Public Market Art Projects Take Shape to learn more, including attributions to the artists and their artwork.

Construction Update: September 2024

Posted on by James Shulkin

Time again for a construction update regarding the Madison Public Market. Construction continues on pace to deliver the former Fleet Service Building to the Public Market Foundation on January 31, 2025. We are still planning to build out the vendor spaces and make other necessary finishes such that the Market opens on July 1. Photos from a recent tour are described below.

Photo #1: An exterior view from East Johnson Street. Windows and doors are being installed. Photo #2: Exterior view from the back of the building. The structure extending out from the back of the building is the roof for the loading dock. Photo #3: This shows the developing interior of the Market Hall – the heart of the Market. The grey pillars show the demarcations of individual vendor stalls. This view faces East Johnson Street. Photo #4: A view from the public mezzanine overlooking Market Hall. Again, progress on creating the individual stalls are shown. Visitors will be able to view both the Market Hall and the TruStage MarketReady Hall from this vantage point. Photo#5: Shown is the developing TruStage MarketReady Hall, a space for new food-related businesses to cook, package, process and ship their goods. The windows face East Washington Avenue. Photo #6: A view from the Mezzanine overlooking TruStage MarketReady Hall. This area will also be used for special events.

Construction Update: July 2024

Posted on by James Shulkin

Progress continues at a rapid pace inside 202 N. First Street, the future home of the Madison Public Market and TruStage MarketReady Hall. Daniels Construction reports that all is moving along as planned and on time. A recent tour resulted in the photos that demonstrate the current status of the project. Photo 1) This provides a view of TruStage MarketReady Hall, the portion of the market that will house the production facilities for small food business startups. It will also provide a significant amount of event space for private functions and Market sponsored events. 2) Inside TruStage MarketReady Hall will be three large cisterns that collect rainwater from the roof. The water will be recycled for use in the Market’s bathrooms. The concrete pad shown will host the cisterns – each decorated with artistic vinyl wraps. 3) Market Hall will house the market, made up of 30+ vendors of all types. In the photo, you can begin to see the structures that will become walls separating the vendor locations. This view faces East Johnson Street (to left) and First Street (to right). 4) Again, Market Hall progress is shown. This view faces First Street. On the right, you can see the gas and plumbing lines for the dozen or so mini restaurants serving fresh, made-to-order foods. 5) Last, an exterior view from First Street. The facade has seen new holes cut into the concrete walls to accommodate the main pedestrian entrance and large, glass-filled windows and doors.

Construction Update – June 2024

Posted on by James Shulkin

Progress continues inside and outside the Madison Public Market building. Photos show in order 1) Exterior view from East Johnson Street. This will be one of the entrances to the Market Hall, where visitors will enjoy the offerings of 30+ vendors. 2) A view inside Market Hall. 3) A view from the Mezzanine looking down onto TruStage MarketReady Hall, the new entrepreneur center where start up businesses will manufacture, process and package their food products. 4) Another view of TruStage MarketReady Hall. This part of the building will also host special events, entertainment and other fun offerings. 5) One more view of Market Hall, the actual “public market” space. This view is again from the Mezzanine, looking towards East Johnson Street at the right and the back parking lot to the left. The white pipes in the floor are where some of the food vendors will be located. The Mezzanine will host public seating, offices and bathroom facilities. 6) This view is from TruStage MarketReady Hall looking down a public corridor space that crosses under the Mezzanine into Market Hall. The blue wall at the very end will be a glass doorway opening to East Johnson Street. We are very much on track for a May 2025 opening for the Market.

Construction Update – May 2024

Posted on by James Shulkin

According to the City of Madison Department of Engineering staff, renovations for the Madison Public Market are proceeding on time and without unexpected surprises. At this time, 99% of concrete work has been completed, which involved removing and replacing the cement floors throughout the 45,000 sq. ft. building. The floors needed to be removed to accommodate plumbing, sewer lines and other essential components. Daniels Construction has completed the elevator shaft (first floor to mezzanine), and the back lot is now ready for re-paving. We are still on track for an opening in early Summer, 2025.

Construction well underway at the Public Market

Posted on by James Shulkin

Demolition and construction at the future Madison Public Market began in earnest late in October of 2023. Since then, much progress has been made, as these photos suggest. Lots of work is necessary to renovate this former Fleet Service building, operated since the 1950’s by the City of Madison. Daniels Construction is the contractor selected by the City to make the Market a reality. The Market is slated to open in May 2025.

 

Public Market Groundbreaking Event Celebrates Construction Start

Posted on by James Shulkin

A crowd filled with supporters of the Madison Public Market and TruStage MarketReady Hall were on hand Monday, November 27 to officially mark the commencement of the long-awaited project’s construction. Held at the future site of the Market (202 N. First Street, Madison) the event featured remarks from the following:

  • Welcome by Hannah Mohelnitzky, City of Madison Engineering Division Communications
  • City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway
  • Madison Public Market Foundation President Karen Crossley
  • TruStage Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Angela Russell
  • Melly Mell’s Catering Owner Carmel Jackson
  • City of Madison District 12 Alder Amani Latimer Burris
  • Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary-Designee Kathy Blumenfeld
  • Dane County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrick Miles
  • Daniels Construction President Sam Daniels

Many of the speakers, including Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Angela Russell of TruStage and Acting Secretary Blumenfeld spoke of the economic benefit the Public Market will have for the community, generating wealth and financial well-being for individuals who are starting new businesses or expanding old ones. Mayor Rhodes-Conway expressed her appreciation for the many  persons who have had a hand in making this day a reality – former mayors, alders, Madison Public Market Foundation members as well as city staff from the Economic Development and Engineering Division.

A video production showing the entire event is available.

Photos below show 1) Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway; 2) Madison Public Market Foundation President Karen Crossley; State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Designee Kathy Blumenfeld and Dane County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrick Miles; 3) Alder Amani Latimer Burris; 4) Carmel Jackson, Melli Mel’s Catering; 5) Angela Russell, TruStage Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer;  6) Sam Daniels, President, Daniels Construction; 7) Madison Public Market Foundation board members.