Our Community 

The City of Monona is a community with a population of 8,018 (2000 Census) located on the east shore of Lake Monona and on the east side of the Madison metropolitan area. Monona’s natural features and amenities, including over 4 miles of Lake Monona shoreline, many parks and open spaces, its full range of excellent public services and schools, a variety and high quality of housing, large prosperous business districts, and close proximity to the many cultural, recreational, and commercial services both in Monona and in the surrounding Madison area, give the City of Monona a small town character with the benefits of being in an urban area. 

The City of Monona is bordered by Lake Monona, the Wetland Conservancy area, and the City of Madison which limits any future boundary expansion. Since the 1960s the City has focused on infill development and redevelopment. Similarly, future growth will occur mostly through redevelopment. The City is committed to planned growth, development, and land use to ensure the continued success of Monona’s economy and the maintenance of its quality of life.

Monona is focusing its economic development efforts on infill development and redevelopment, since the majority of the city is built out and unlike to annex additional land. Most of Monona’s land is already developed with residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The city has experienced steady growth in economic development in its commercial areas. Substantial development occurred in the 1980s in the South Towne area, and in the 1990s along East and West Broadway. Infill development, business expansion, and redevelopment have continued to occur along Monona Drive, one of the city’s main streets and largest business districts.

Monona pursues an economic development strategy of business retention, expansion, and attraction. The City uses different methods and tools for economic development, including Tax Incremental Financing, redevelopment districts, grants, loans, and Industrial Revenue Bonds. Monona has adopted four Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) Districts between 1980 and 2000 to attract business development and to revitalize older areas of the city. Additionally, Monona has adopted three Redevelopment Project Plans in areas that are in need of redevelopment. Monona has also worked diligently to clean up and redevelop environmentally contaminated land. Organizations working together in the city to pursue economic development include: the Monona Community Development Authority; the advisory Economic Development Committee; the Plan Commission; the City Council; and the Monona Chamber of Commerce.