Madison mayor proposes banning sleeping on sidewalks

MADISON — Madison's mayor is proposing a ban on sleeping on public sidewalks in the capital city's downtown area.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Mayor Paul Soglin's new proposal would ban sleeping and lying on downtown sidewalks, public rights of way or on city office land between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

According to the proposal, the city has received regular complaints from downtown residents and businesses about people occupying sidewalks and rights of way. The plan is based on ordinances in Portland, Oregon, and Honolulu.

Soglin plans to introduce the proposal at a city council meeting on Tuesday. The council last year rejected another Soglin proposal to limit the time people could sit or lie on sidewalks, benches or city office property.