TIMELINE – Showing the evolution between the relationship of students, the community and State Street Madison.
By alipman411
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University Book Store Opened
The University Book Store, one of the oldest businesses still open on State Street, opened in 1894. The store is located in Library Mall, adjacent to State Street. To this day, the UW Bookstore serves as a central location for UW students. -
Memorial Union Constructed
The construction of The Wisconsin Memorial Union began in 1907. The Union serves as a place of reunion, activity, culture, and social and recreational events for UW students, staff, and visitors. -
Orpheum Theatre Opens
The theatre opened in 1927, and began to attract many patrons to State Street. Originally, it was built as a vaudeville venue and a movie theater. Now, the theatre holds various concerts and attracts crowds to State Street. -
Memorial Union Opened
The Union opened, and soon became a center for community gathering of students, teachers, and visitors. Today, it continues to attract many students. Because of its proximity to State Street, it draws students towards that general area. -
Library Mall Blocked Off to Motor Vehicles
In their first steps of making State Street a pedestrian mall, the city decided to test this concept by blocking off Library Mall. The positive results of this lead to the complete conversion of State becoming pedestrian oriented. -
Dane County Farmers Market formed
Dane County Farmers Market is a tradition in Madison, bringing the entire community together. In 1972, Mayor Bill Dyke decided to create a way for both the Madison city community and the agricultural community to unite. This continues today and draws large crowds towards the Capitol during the warmer months. -
Converted to Pedestrian Mall
State Street transitioned from allowing motor vehicles, into a pedestrian mall consisting of wide sidewalks and a narrow two-line road with limited access. -
Madison Central BID formed
Madison Central BID (Business Improvement District) was formed to market, enhance and manage the shops and restaurants on State Street and leading to Capitol Square. -
"Freakfest" was Born
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz revealed that the city is planning a Halloween event located on State Street. The event is officially known as "Freakfest" and is now an annual tradition, where crowds of over 100,000 participants unite on Halloween night. -
Red Card Meal Plan Launched
Three UW graduates decided to create Red Card, a service that makes meals easy for students. The plan offers perks for students such as discounts and promotions, making campus eating easier. Many of the Red Card affiliated restaurants are on State Street. -
Student Apartments on the Rise
Beginning in 2012 and lasting until 2014, 800 student apartment units were constructed in downtown Madison. Then, between 2015 through 2017, 2,000 more apartment units became available in downtown Madison. Now, an abundance of students live off-campus in apartments adjacent to State Street.
