VISIT MADISON, CITY TO REOPEN REFRESHED COMFORT STATION

This will be the first big improvement to the comfort station since it opened in the early 2000's

Visit Madison, in partnership with the City of Madison, is proud to announce the reopening of the refreshed Comfort Station as a Satellite Visitor Center located in the heart of Main Street. To commemorate this milestone, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 4:00 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

This building will serve as a frontline resource for visitors, providing public restrooms, destination information, and a curated gift shop highlighting Madison-branded merchandise. The facility will be staffed seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from now through the fall season, with winter hours to be re-evaluated later in the year based on visitor needs and operational logistics.

“Returning to having a permanent, visible presence right in the heart of Main Street is a major step for Visit Madison,” said Andrew Forrester, Tourism Director at Visit Madison. “We know that’s where our visitors are—walking, exploring, and deciding where they want to shop, eat, and tour. Being This Satellite Visitor Center gives us the opportunity to meet them where they are and help them discover the full spectrum of experiences our community has to offer.”

Visit Madison and the City are confident this strategic addition will not only serve the needs of visitors and residents but also drive increased engagement and economic impact for local businesses throughout the downtown district.

“This project represents what is possible when partners come together with a shared vision for our community,” said Mayor Bob Courtney. “The Comfort Station has long been a vital part of our downtown infrastructure, and now it’s being reimagined in a way that enhances both quality of life for residents and the experience for visitors. We’re proud to support Visit Madison in creating a welcoming, accessible space that reflects the charm and vitality of our Main Street.”

The original Comfort Station opened under former Mayor Al Huntington in the early 2000’s as a bus station and public restroom facility and hadn’t seen many updates in the two decades since. The Visitor’s Center moved from 301 E. Main Street to its current location also in the early 2000’s, but held a six week trial at the Comfort Station in fall 2023. Visit Madison will continue to maintain its full offices across from the Lanier Mansion at 601 W. 1st Street in partnership with the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.

Improvements have taken place over the course of the last six months, but work has ramped up specifically in the last six weeks. New ceiling tiles, flooring, window graphics, sinks, restroom partitions, and interior and exterior lighting highlight some of the improvements. Funding for the work was made possible through a grant from the Jefferson County Board of Tourism and City of Madison ARPA funds specifically allocated for use in tourism.

Visit Madison has hired some part time staff to serve in the Guest Services role at the Comfort Station and have started training, but will take additional resumes of interested individuals.