Madison is not merely a transportation hub.
It is a great American city, with a rich history, a bright future and a vibrant heart. That heart is downtown, on the isthmus that separates Lakes Monona and Mendota.
The point here is not to suggest that the cityâ??s neighborhoods to the north, east, west and south are not vital to its character and future. But cities need central reference points, and the isthmus is that for Madison. So the Madison City Council was right to signal that the coming high-speed rail line must have a downtown station.