Main Street Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project

media release: The city of Sun Prairie and its consulting partner, Saiki Design, invite the community to an open house to review the proposed renovation plans of the Main Street Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project for the 100 and 200 blocks of East Main Street in Downtown Sun Prairie. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 300 E. Main Street. 

This project aims to create a refreshed vision for East Main Street and surrounding areas by enhancing the pedestrian experience to better align with community needs. Construction will begin in 2025 and focus on key improvements such as pedestrian safety, including wider sidewalks, improved crosswalks, and aesthetic enhancements along the two-block stretch of East Main Street between Bristol Street and Church/Market Streets. Additionally, the initiative will enhance ADA access to local storefronts, promoting greater accessibility for community members. Community engagement has been central to this effort, starting with discussions on pedestrian safety in the downtown area with business owners. 

In addition to conversations with business owners, community input was collected through focus groups, a design preference survey, direction from a project steering committee, and multiple meetings with the Downtown Business Improvement District to create a downtown design that reflects the community's vision.

“Our goal is for this design to create a more pedestrian-friendly, accessible, and vibrant downtown that incorporates feedback received from the community,” said Scott Kugler, director of community development. 

The open house will include a presentation of the plan beginning at 5:40 p.m., followed by an opportunity to view plan materials and ask questions of the project team and city staff. 

Sun Prairie is a vibrant and thriving community located in northeastern Dane county, just east of the City of Madison. The City of Sun Prairie has experienced strong population growth since its incorporation from a village to a city in 1958, undergoing a transformation from a relatively small community of less than 4,000 to an estimated 39,419 today.