Monona Terrace & Madison Skyline Photos by Skot Weidemann

DMI: A Strong Voice for Downtown Madison

I have been fortunate to be the President of DMI since 1999.  The question I hear most often is, "What does DMI do?"  Actually, the need to clearly answer that question has driven a lot of DMI's work.  DMI has terrific programs that promote the downtown and provide networking opportunities for our members. We even put on a once- a- year event-the Frostiball-that brings more than 1000 people downtown in the middle of winter to celebrate.
Advocacy forms the core of our work. We advocate for a healthy and vital downtown.  Our advocacy work has increased over the years. Our involvement with No Dane Casino, the Overture Center refinancing and many more issues that directly affect the downtown have made the difference.
Why advocate?  It is very simple.  If our downtown does not receive the attention and reinvestment that it needs to remain vital and healthy, the rest of the community will suffer.  That is why the DMI Board of Directors is committed to taking a stronger advocacy position. 
Advocacy, however, does not happen in a vacuum. It takes a lot of thought, discussion and work with partners in order to do what we think is right for the downtown as a whole. 
So what does DMI do?  We ensure the health and vitality of downtown Madison through advocacy, member programs and involvement in all issues affecting the central city. We will continue that tradition with the support of the community!  

Susan Schmitz, President of Downtown Madison, Inc

A Sampling of DMI Projects/Issues Overture Center Refinancing Monona Terrace project Mandatory Paid Sick Leave City Budget Lobbying Ordinance Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) policy Inclusionary Zoning Mid-State Street Parking State Street Design Plan Lisa Link Peace Park Plan Endorsement of Political Candidates Downtown Reachout Program City's downtown plan Formation/management of the BID Capitol Square Improvements Downtown Beautification East Rail Corridor Plan Parking on the Square/marketing parking Wisconsin Constitutional Ban Halloween event planning Downtown Retention, Expansion and Recruitment Program