Village of DeForest – �鶹��Ƶ

Recommending uses and design considerations for a future public services building

Ada Inman — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:48:50 +0000

The Village of DeForest’s Public Works Department, along with the library, police department, and recreational sports clubs, have outgrown their current buildings. In response, the village is looking to purchase a new piece of land and construct one public works facility that can accommodate the entire department. This report identifies the village’s needs and offers [...]

Analyzing demand for public transportation

Ada Inman — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:34:50 +0000

Until a bus line is implemented in the Village of DeForest, interdisciplinary engineering students recommend expanding bike paths and implementing shuttle bus services that connect the village to downtown Madison. They also suggest launching a public survey to evaluate the demand for public transportation and inform short-term and long-term solutions. [...]

Assessing workforce public transportation needs and opportunities in DeForest

Ada Inman — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:50:59 +0000

While many Village of DeForest employers draw workers from surrounding communities, especially Madison, there are currently no formal public transportation options connecting these employment areas. Interdisciplinary engineering students suggest connectivity strategies that include vanpooling programs, employer supported shuttles, and state or federal grant opportunities. [...]

Assessing demand and anticipated impacts of housing affordability programs in the village

Ada Inman — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:26:18 +0000

Graduate students researched an initiative supported by tax-incremental district funds aimed at strengthening the community’s housing stock and expanding access to homeownership for middle- and low-income residents. The students analyzed the homeowner-assistance component of HomeReach across four targeted programs: aging in place, emergency health and safety hazard mitigation, down payment assistance and home improvement, and [...]

Creating onboarding materials for new village trustees

Ada Inman — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:23:27 +0000

To support newly elected officials in the Village of DeForest, a UniverCity Alliance Scholar created an orientation handbook and onboarding materials. The comprehensive guide, which includes information on budgeting, elections, roles, responsibilities, ethics, and more, is designed to provide and empower elected officials with the information needed to thrive in their new role. [...]

Engaging residents about an eco-friendly mountain bike park

Ada Inman — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:19:14 +0000

A UniverCity Alliance Scholar developed, distributed, and analyzed a survey measuring Village of DeForset residents and stakeholders opinons about an eco-friendly mountain biking area. Results show strong community feedback for creating safe, scenic, and sustainable mountain biking trails. [...]

Planning for an eco-friendly mountain bike park in DeForest

Ada Inman — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:17:11 +0000

For nearly a decade, the Village of DeForest has been developing a plan to construct a mountain bike trail. Residents opposed an initial site proposed in 2016 because of potential environmental impact concerns on nearby wildlife. This conservation plan for a parcel of land acquired specifically for mountain bike trail development addresses stream quality, the [...]

Scaling the Deforest Dragon Art Fair

Ada Inman — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:49:06 +0000

The Dragon Art Fair is a juried annual arts and craft fair of 100+ artists and vendors held the 1st Saturday in June in Fireman’s Park, DeForest, WI. This fair was started in 2004 by Merry Poast & Julie Wills who ran the fair under the Dragon Arts Group for the past 20 years, and cultivated a loyal following of attendees and returning vendors from DeForest and beyond.

The leaders of the Dragon Art Fair decided to hand off the management of the fair to the Village of DeForest in 2024. While the municipality inherited many existing practices, they sought Bolz Center student consultants to further improve the fair.

Consultants used many data collection methods including a survey distributed locally and online, Zoom-based focus groups with DeForest residents, and field
research. Key findings revealed that customers highly value local artists and desire a variety of art types at the fair. While there were some limitations, this
study provides valuable insights into community preferences and recommendations for streamlining vendor management, improving marketing to increase audience, increasing attendee satisfaction and boosting economic impact throughout the community. These recommendations can be used not only for
the upcoming 2025 Dragon Art Fair but all the DeForest Dragon Art Fairs to come.

Contact: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu

Understanding conservation practices and future land use intentions among local stakeholders

Ada Inman — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:44:17 +0000

In preparation for expected growth, the Village of DeForest plans to conduct outreach to local stakeholders and property owners to better understand the attitudes and intentions of local farmers related to development. The goal of this effort is to balance development with environmental conservation planning and community well-being, align land use planning with future opportunities, and demonstrate a collaborative approach to growth. This report examines how the Village of DeForest can proactively prepare for projected population and economic growth and provides specific recommendations on how to approach local outreach and community engagement.

Contact: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu

Designing Morrisonville Road to support anticipated growth

Ada Inman — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:41:39 +0000

The Village of DeForest, Wisconsin, is planning infrastructure improvements for The Ponds at North Crossing – a 160-acre site of undeveloped land within the Northern Interstate Corridor (NIC). This area is designated for mixed-use development, incorporating residential, commercial, and conservation spaces. The project aims to enhance Morrisonville Road to support anticipated growth while maintaining environmental sustainability and traffic efficiency.

Project Objectives
The desired needs of this project include:
● Improving traffic flow and multimodal accessibility.
● Enhancing stormwater management to mitigate flooding risks.
● Supporting sustainable development that aligns with village planning goals.
● Supporting future commercial and residential growth through modern infrastructure.
● Maintaining compliance with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)
regulations.

Contact: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu