October 12, 2019

Stadium could ruin neighborhood

Margaret Teeters, Edgewood High School Alumna, Ellicott City, MD | Wisconsin State Journal*

I am an alumna of Edgewood High School. Edgewood has contributed greatly to my life. But their current threat to the beautiful, historic neighborhood in the Dudgeon-Monroe and Vilas areas and Lake Wingra watershed is very troubling.

I am opposed to the construction of a stadium, sound system, 80-foot lights, and seating for 1,000+ people with the proposed rentals to outside groups. In the past, Edgewood has built architecturally beautiful and sustainable buildings, and preserved the environment through careful collaboration with neighbors. I would be proud to live across the street from Edgewood as it is. I would not want to live across from a stadium with increasing noise from crowds, amplified sounds systems, traffic, and sky glow of LED lights.

I know alumni who are reluctant to come forward publicly and express their opposition because of harassment and intimidation tactics such as threatening postcards and theft of signs posted in the neighborhood opposing the stadium. Edgewood alumni have been urged to support the stadium. But all alumni do not support every decision that Edgewood makes. What has happened to Edgewood’s values of community, justice, and partnership?

Let the kids play night games — but not in a residential neighborhood.

*Note that this letter was published in edited form on the madison.com website