Francesca Pica, The Daily Cardinal Journalist Profile

Articles

Karaoke bar and Asian fusion spot Haven shines on Gilman

1 week ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

Sunlight streaming through the windows of an empty restaurant felt like a sign to the new owners of Haven, a two-story Asian fusion spot now open near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Sharon Li, who co-owns Haven with Nikki Yuan, spent years in the restaurant industry before the soft launch of Haven in February. Li moved to Madison from China in high school and got a degree in accounting before being hired to manage a local restaurant by a college friend.
First tenants enter ‘Bakers Place,’ Madison’s mass timber high-rise

2 weeks ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

Madison’s first mass timber high-rise is now on the market. The 14-story mixed-use “Bakers Place” tower at 849 E. Washington Ave. — seven blocks from Capitol Square — finished construction and moved in its first tenants Friday. Madison-based developer Neutral built the apartments on top of the former Gardner Bakery building, the apartment’s namesake. Neutral restored the oldest part of the bakery, which was built in 1928 and closed in 2019.
First tenants enter Bakers Place, Madison’s mass timber high-rise

2 weeks ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

Madison’s first mass timber high-rise is now on the market. The 14-story mixed-use Bakers Place tower at 849 E. Washington Ave. — seven blocks from Capitol Square — finished construction and moved in its first tenants Friday. Madison-based developer Neutral built the apartments on top of the former Gardner Bakery building, the apartment’s namesake. Neutral restored the oldest part of the bakery, which was built in 1928 and closed in 2019.
District, city present draft SRO agreement

2 weeks ago | stoughtonnews.com | Francesca Pica

District and city officials presented a draft agreement for the creation of a school resource officer (SRO) position to the Stoughton Area School District Board of Education at its Monday, May 19 meeting. District superintendent Dan Keyser, Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley and Police Chief Daniel Jenks presented the draft agreement and proposed position description to the board during a meeting Monday night and answered questions from board members, who did not vote on final approval of the agreement.
Harry Hawkins wants to reintroduce Nehemiah to Madison

2 weeks ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

According to its new president, what makes the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership unique comes down to empowerment. “We believe that people have the capacity to be solutions to the problems that we’re facing in society,” said Harry Hawkins, who on May 8 became the next president of the Madison-based nonprofit. The Nehemiah Center provides social, educational and leadership development services for Black Madison residents.
Stoughton School Board talks community outreach

1 month ago | stoughtonnews.com | Francesca Pica

The Stoughton Area School District (SASD) Board of Education discussed during its Monday, May 5 meeting how to move forward with parent and community outreach following its first community listening session.
Dane County leaders call for supporting ‘cultural infrastructure’

1 month ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

Local artists need support now more than ever, Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said during a keynote address Friday to Madison-area arts organizations. “People often talk about infrastructure, roads and bridges — and don't get me wrong, that's important,” Agard said.
Whole trees anchor Madison construction company’s growing business

1 month ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

When Amelia Swan Baxter started a Wisconsin construction firm specializing in the use of naturally round trees rather than neatly cut lumber, she spent a lot of time convincing potential clients of her product’s viability on a large scale. “There's a perception that there's no way you could get it done well,” said Baxter, co-founder and CEO of WholeTrees Structures.
New Madison studios aim to fill a void: cheap space for working artists

1 month ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

With a bit of ingenuity at his new workspace, Ash Armenta has managed to squeeze in a metal desk, a wooden storage loft, a large collection of printmaking equipment and the long strips of fabric he plans to fashion into a 60-foot hanging art installation. A printmaker and tattoo artist, Armenta is one of 30 artists now working out of leased studios at the Roundhouse Building, 1741 Commercial Ave.
10 new pickleball courts may open in Madison this year

1 month ago | captimes.com | Francesca Pica

Madison could welcome its largest set of indoor pickleball courts later this year on the city’s far east side. The city’s Plan Commission on April 7 approved converting an Amazon distribution center at 5004 Tradewinds Parkway into a 28,000 square-foot pickleball facility. The building, located just off the Beltline near the intersection with U.S. Route 51, would house 10 fenced pickleball courts, capturing the sport’s recent explosion in popularity.