Madison's five-year capital plan lists $116.3 million in projects, led by an $8.5 million Fire Station 5. About $42 million has no funding source yet.
Madison has a five-year list of what it wants to build and buy, and it adds up to $116.3 million. The City Council adopted the plan 7-0 on Oct. 26.
The biggest single item is a new Fire Station 5. Roads and bridges take the largest share. But about $42 million of the list, more than a third, has no funding source identified yet.
The Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan covers fiscal years 2027 through 2031. It is in the council’s Oct. 26 agenda packet as Resolution No. 2026-446-R. The vote is on the recording of the Oct. 26 meeting, about an hour in.
A plan, not a budget
The document is clear about what it is not. “The CIP is a planning document,” it says. “It is not a budget, an appropriation, or a commitment of City funds.”
Each project still needs its own council vote, with a contract and a price. A council member made the same point before the vote: final costs are not known until a project is done.
What the $116.3 million covers
By fiscal year, the plan peaks in 2028 and then tapers off:
| Fiscal year | Planned spending | Of which, no funding source yet |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $24.8 million | $7.3 million |
| 2028 | $41.2 million | $5.2 million |
| 2029 | $30.4 million | $20.6 million |
| 2030 | $12.5 million | $4.9 million |
| 2031 | $7.4 million | $4.1 million |
| Total | $116.3 million | $42.1 million |
By type of project, the plan’s own classifications break down this way:
- streets and bridges: $45.6 million
- buildings and facilities: $34.7 million
- vehicles and equipment: $15.6 million
- parks and trails: $11.8 million
- land: $7.5 million
- technology: $1.1 million
Where the money would come from
The largest block, $42.1 million, is listed as “Funding Source Unknown.” The plan says those projects are included “to present the City’s full capital needs.”
The rest is spread across these sources:
- $23.4 million in new general obligation warrants, which is city borrowing
- $17.9 million in grants and donations
- $6.6 million from the general fund
- the rest from gas tax funds, older bond and warrant funds, the capital replacement fund and smaller dedicated funds
Fire Station 5 and a ladder truck
The plan puts $500,000 toward land for Fire Station 5 in fiscal 2027, from a grant or donation. The station itself is listed at $8.5 million in fiscal 2028, paid for with new warrants.
Running it would cost more every year. The plan estimates $757,500 a year in salaries for 12 firefighters, plus $352,641 in one-time equipment, training and furniture costs.
A new ladder truck, at $1.8 million in fiscal 2028, would need six more firefighters at $379,000 a year.
The road projects
Streets and bridges are the biggest category. The largest items are:
- Madison Boulevard upgrade: $7.5 million in fiscal 2028, from new warrants
- Madison Boulevard bridge replacement: $4.3 million in fiscal 2028, with $2.8 million from a federal BUILD grant and $1.5 million from warrants
- Royal Drive Extension Phase 2, Westchester to Jetplex: $4.5 million in fiscal 2030, listed as fully grant-funded, after $500,000 for design in fiscal 2027
- Wall-Triana Highway widening to three lanes, Midtown to Gooch Lane: $3.6 million in fiscal 2029, after $760,000 for design in fiscal 2027
- Old Madison Pike upgrade: $3 million in fiscal 2027, no funding source yet
- Hughes Road widening, Eastview to Gillespie: $2.5 million in fiscal 2031, no funding source yet
- Mill Road and Sullivan Road turn lanes and a signal: $2.3 million in fiscal 2027 from gas tax money
- Garner extension to Madison Boulevard, with a signal: $2.1 million in fiscal 2028
The plan’s notes say the Mill Road and Sullivan Road project was not funded in the fiscal 2027 budget. For the Wall-Triana and Madison Boulevard bridge work, the notes say costs are expected to run above what the grants cover.
Repaving is spread through the list. Fiscal 2027 includes Church, Arnett, College, Front and Maple streets downtown, Gillespie Road from Balch Road to County Line Road, and part of County Line Road. For current lane closures, see our road construction and closures page.
Parks: the biggest unfunded items
The two largest projects with no money behind them yet are both at Palmer Park, in fiscal 2029:
- an $11 million baseball and softball four-field complex, Fields 7 and 8
- $7 million to buy 60 acres next to the park
Also on the list:
- Covered pickleball courts at Town Madison: $3 million in fiscal 2027, no funding source yet
- A Miracle League field at Palmer Park: $2 million in fiscal 2028, from grants or donations
- Covered batting cages at Palmer Park: $729,000 in fiscal 2027
At the same meeting, council member Michael McKay said bids for the Palmer Park batting cages had come in high. He said the department would work with the architect to scale the project back before it goes out to bid.
The plan also sets aside $368,349 a year for the city’s aquatic center. The notes say that covers construction costs. Once open, the center is estimated to cost $188,313 a year to run.
City Hall and police
City Hall renovations are listed at about $2.9 million over fiscal 2027 and 2028. The police budget includes 20 pursuit-rated Ford Explorers a year in fiscal 2027 and 2028, then five a year after that.
The council took a first reading the same night of an ordinance to buy those vehicles through the City of Huntsville’s contract. It comes back for a vote at a November meeting.
What it means for you
- Nothing is approved yet. A project on this list still needs its own council vote. The council meets next at 6 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers, then Monday, Nov. 23.
- Borrowing is planned. About $23.4 million would come from new warrants, which the city repays over time from its budget.
- New buildings bring running costs. Fire Station 5, the ladder truck and the aquatic center together add an estimated $1.3 million a year in staff and operating costs.
- You can weigh in. Public comment is open at every regular meeting, limited to three minutes. Written comments go to citycouncil@madisonal.gov by noon on meeting day, the agenda says. Agendas are posted on the city’s meetings portal.
For who runs what at City Hall, see who to call at City Hall. For what Madison property owners pay the city, see our property taxes page.
Have your say