City to consider riverfront purchases

By ANN FIORE ( Contact ) Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007

The decision to buy two properties along the Rock River now is in the hands of the Janesville City Council.

The plan commission Monday unanimously recommended the council proceed with acquiring the Westphal & Co. property at 55-123 St. Mary’s Court and the Energetics property at 821 N. Parker Drive.

The 3.3-acre site, located north of Traxler Park and the Veterans Memorial Bridge, is considered a crucial part of the city’s plan to redevelop the riverfront.

The council will consider the $801,500 purchase when it meets Monday.

The Janesville Foundation is paying $644,400 of the purchase price. The city and state cleanup grants will cover the rest.

If the council approves the purchase, Westphal will continue to do business at its current location under a three-year lease agreement.

Also Monday, the plan commission recommended, 6-1, that the council proceed with acquiring a 0.12-acre property at 803 S. Jackson St.

The vacant building, which once housed a dry-cleaning business and a supper club, is considered a blight on the neighborhood and would be demolished. Commission member Meredith Helgerson voted no.

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