The Lake Monona waterfront is getting a facelift with the Madison LakeWay project, but the first phase has been scaled back after falling short on fundraising, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
Madison is expected to cover $7 million and Dane County $2 million. Fundraising for the rest of the $13.5 million was $1.5 million short.
The Madison LakeWay master plan, adopted in 2024, proposed items like a skyline pier on the southeastern shoreline. That same skyline pier has proven too costly, and will be replaced with a significantly smaller wooden viewing deck.
The pier was deemed too much too early by city landscape architect Mike Sturm.
Other plans for the first phase include the construction of two boardwalks along the John Nolen Drive causeway and separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians and planting trees.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
