Ice arena plan could mean new location for fire station No. 1
Sites being considered
City staff offer these advantages and disadvantages for three locations being considered for a fire station No. 1 replacement:
-- The vicinity of Main and Racine streets. This is attractive because it could serve as an entry point to downtown. A fire station can be architecturally appealing without adding much cost, Assistant City Manager Jay Winzenz said. The city prefers to keep the fire station close to downtown because the central city’s older, larger structures and high density make it the highest-risk area in Janesville.
“We want to make sure we have good overlapping coverage in the central city,” Winzenz said.
-- The vicinity of Racine Street and Randall Avenue. This location does an even better job of solving response-time issues but does not offer the focal point into the downtown or the best coverage for the central city.
-- The ice arena site at 821 Beloit Ave. The location provides a good response time to the east because of Palmer Drive and to the south with Beloit Avenue. It is near the central city and would provide the needed overlapping coverage, Winzenz said. A station there would improve response time to an area around Midland Court and Racine Street and Beloit Avenue and Conde Street. It also would be about $1 million cheaper.
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JANESVILLE — City staff would recommend moving fire station No. 1 to a new building at the site of the city ice arena if a private group raises enough money to build a new ice arena on the city’s south side.
While not the perfect location, the ice arena site would save the city at least $1 million and shorten response times in some sections of the city, said Jay Winzenz, assistant city manager.
A replacement fire station is needed because the fire department headquarters at 303 Milton Ave. is too small and too old, Winzenz said.
The city council is looking at two sites in addition to the ice area site at 821 Beloit Ave. Staff declined to divulge exact locations of the other two sites because the city might need to negotiate the purchase of land.
In a perfect world, a replacement fire station would be built somewhere near Main and Racine streets, Winzenz said.
But buying downtown properties, relocating owners and tenants and clearing the land would cost about $1 million. Some properties might have environmental issues, and buying and clearing downtown land would take longer.
A 28,000-square-foot fire station would need about 2 acres—the equivalent of about two city blocks. Getting 2 acres in a developed portion of the downtown would be difficult, Winzenz said.
The ice arena site would become available if a group of residents can raise $1.5 million by March 1. The city would chip in $2 million, and council members who approved the $2 million pointed out that using the ice area site would save $1 million in fire station costs.
The city has been talking about a new fire station for at least four years. Three years ago, the city started borrowing money to build one. A new station would cost about $6 million. The current station was built in the 1950s, before women firefighters and today’s larger equipment. It has dormitory-style sleeping quarters and doesn’t allow for drive-through bays, which are preferred to reduce the potential for backing accidents.
The current location on Milton Avenue is not the best because the city has grown to the north and the east, Winzenz said.
“We think that by relocating that station we can help solve some of the response time deficits that we have in the city as well as meeting the needs of the firefighters,” Winzenz said.
The city’s goal is a response time of no more than four minutes, not including the time it takes firefighters to get out of the station.
Four minutes is a magic number because CPR or defibrillation must be started within four to five minutes for a person suffering a heart attack.
“Janesville geographically has grown substantially in the last 20 to 30 years, and we need to keep up with that in terms of both the number of stations and the location of stations,” Winzenz said.
Station No. 1 has to be in a central location because it houses unique pieces of equipment that serve the entire city as well as rural areas the city covers under contracts with neighboring townships, Winzenz said.
“I would say that the Main and Racine-street area is probably the preferred location,” Winzenz said, “but certainly the ice arena is an acceptable location, and if the decision is made to construct a new ice arena, the price is right.
“I don’t think we’re sacrificing too much in terms of location if we go with the ice arena location,” he said.
The ice arena location is adjacent to the downtown and provides an entrance into the city for those coming from the south, he said.
The city might be able to begin construction of the fire station on the site before the ice arena is moved, he said.
Staff is not yet sure what would happen to the fire station on Milton Avenue. The building could be marketed for reuse or torn down and the lots sold for development.
Staff considered enlarging the current site by buying nearby homes, but that still would not have provided the preferred drive-through bays or improved response times.
Some areas would still be hard to reach
Moving fire station No. 1 east or southeast would not improve poor response times to two areas of Janesville.
Briar Crest subdivision on the city’s northeast side and Loch Lomond subdivision on the southwest side would continue to present problems, Assistant City Manager Jay Winzenz said.
Station No. 5 on Kennedy Road can’t get to Briar Crest in the recommended four minutes because of common traffic backups at the intersection of Highway 14 and Highway 26.
Station No. 4 personnel must use Wright Road or Harmony/Town Road to get to Briar Crest. To better serve Briar Crest, the city would have to relocate stations No. 4 or station No. 5, Winzenz, said.
In the past, Janesville and Milton officials have discussed building a shared station because the two cities are growing close together on the northeast side. Milton has said it needs two fire stations because railroad tracks divide the city.
Either city could require a future developer to reserve a piece of land for a fire station, much like Kennedy Homes set aside space for an elementary school.
A good site might be on John Paul Road, Winzenz said.
Firefighters also have trouble getting quickly to Loch Lomond, an isolated subdivision on the city’s far southwest side.
To effectively cover Loch Lomond, a fire station would have to be moved near the area of the Highway 11 bypass at Highway 51, Winzenz said.
Dec 11, 2009 at 8:54 a.m.
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tired- I hope you will take your passion for this issue and apply it in the form of showing up at the appropriate council meeting and let the people who make these decisions know how you feel. Your voice can actually make a difference. It sure did for those of us that support the new ice rink.Good Luck.
Dec 11, 2009 at 7:29 a.m.
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doseman95; First off I never said “conspiracy” – I just find this statement very disingenuous - “While not the perfect location, the ice arena site would save the city at least $1 million and shorten response times in some sections of the city”, said Jay Winzenz, assistant city manager. ****** HOW?! This is not our ONLY option. – How about another location? What about the vacant lot on the corner of Beloit Ave & Delavan Dr.
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Not only that, but the next statement almost validates the fact the council has remorse. “The city would chip in $2 million, and council members who approved the $2 million pointed out that using the ice area site would save $1 million in fire station costs.” ---- What is this? A way to spin and make them feel better – “we give $2 million but we saved $1 million so really it only cost us $1million” – I don’t buy it. They could save even more by utilizing a vacant site – no demolition costs – not to mention lost revenue from the possible sale of the existing ice arena or long term lease.
Dec 10, 2009 at 4:01 p.m.
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SwissChick--There are children from all of those communities playing hockey or figure skating in Beloit or Janesville.
Dec 10, 2009 at 3:41 p.m.
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mczam - And the City of Milton residents, the Village of Orfordville, Village of Footville, etc., etc., should be taxed for the "Janesville" Ice Arena? Lord.
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.
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GM still owns the building...
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.
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Can't they build an ice rink inside the old GM building?
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
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Lets see...pave new lot next to schools other lot but don't connect them...charge lots of money to connect them next year...make lots of money...tax payers get poorer.
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
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Lets see...knock down the parking ramp...pave parking lot...tear lot up...build new parking ramp...a few people get richer...tax payers get poorer.
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:22 p.m.
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If logistics seem to be a problem with the new fire station, perhaps Janesville leaders should contact Beloit leaders. Beloit eliminated three old fire stations with two new ones, and remodeled a third without any problems.
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:09 p.m.
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The economy has obviouly hit some wealthy and influential people in Janesville in the pocket book and the citizens are going to pay. Construction is down so why not create some. This whole thing is insane at this economic time when people have lost jobs and homes, the value of our homes has dropped and our taxes will go up to finance needless spending.
Spending all this money on this is nuts when we should be spending it to entice companies to move into Janesville. We need jobs! Does anyone really think companies will say, "Janesville has a new ice arena and a semi pro hockey team, lets move there!"
Now they need to build a new fire station then what?
It's going to be a domino effect.
Dec 10, 2009 at 1:23 p.m.
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paytomuchtax, you are exactly right, IMO.
Dec 10, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.
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tiredofhearingit, my point was that moving the fire station to your suggested location makes no sense. Why would you want two stations so close together? Also by moving it there it is being moved further from the primary area it services. Also, I never said a word about imminent domain. You, however, did suggest moving it to this location.
Dec 10, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.
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tired- I did read that sentence you highlighted, and have no problem with it. I commented on your assumption that you think there is a conspiracy going on. There is none. This was voted on during a public meeting. An agreement was reached between youth hockey and the city. If youth hockey raises their share then the city will kick in it's share, it's just that simple.
Dec 10, 2009 at 1 p.m.
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delavan- No referendum as of yet. I think one is needed for this LARGE expense. My vote is fix what you have.
mczam- I say put the fairgrounds at that place they considered before . They could then put the fire department there. Fix the ice arena we have. Oops did I say that already?
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:52 p.m.
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What bothers me is this: "Three years ago, the city started borrowing money to build one. A new station would cost about $6 million." So we are paying principal and interest on money for the last three years without anything to show for it? Is this normal? Hello???
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:48 p.m.
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taxed2much--I could not agree more. Would'nt it have been nice to build an ice rink at the proposed new fairgrounds site? In case no one remembers. The county was looking to swap the county owned farm with a farm at the Avalon Rd. exit. Of course, there was great outrage at this proposal. I assume by many of the same people commenting here. The fact remains Rock County needs another ice rink. It is unfortunate that we cannot spread the tax burden of a new rink throughout the entire county.
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:31 p.m.
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Right on !!!
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.
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doseman95; — "City staff would recommend moving fire station No. 1 to a new building at the site of the city ice arena if a private group raises enough money to build a new ice arena on the city’s south side." ---- Did you read this sentence?
lovethemidwest; I never said it was ideal but consider this - 1221 Woodman rd is 1.0 miles from 303 Milton Ave. vs. 1.4 miles from 303 Milton Ave to the current ice arena location (per google map) so its actually closer in distance to move from where its at right now. your not suggesting they should eminent domain a few properties to get it "exactly" where it "should" be - are you? I was simply pointing out open sites in the area.
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:26 p.m.
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There is no reason to comment on this it is a done deal. The counsil only care's about comments from the "right People in town" not the average joe. As my username say's we will continue to for along time. the owners of JP cullen and Rock Road are part owners of the Jets. Why think about it. Who is going to build the new arena and pave the lot. I'll give you two guess's???. That is who the city listens to not us average people.
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.
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Hey people of Janesville.Has this counsil put this up for the tax payers to vote on?seems to me that much money is a waste for a hockey rink.Plus you have to pay again to have a new fire house built.Elections are coming remember those who voted for this joke.......
Dec 10, 2009 at 11:03 a.m.
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Seems the only conspiracy is in the city council itself. Voting to allocate all that tax payer money for something as unnecessary as an ice arena is ridiculous. Far more important things the money could be used for, or SAVED for future NECESSITIES.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:59 a.m.
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tiredofhearingit, youre talking about the rogans shoe site? Where they want to put that new bar? Why would they move the fire station that direction? Theres already a fire station not to far from there on Kennedy road. Kind of pointless to move two fire stations so close together.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
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tiredofhearingit - How is this a "coy attempt at assisting with ice rink funding." The city approved funding the building of a new ice arena during an open to the public city council meeting. Sorry to break it to you...there is no conspiracy here between ice rink supporters and the city. The city first indicated they may use the old rink for storage, as it has a large roll up access door.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
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Remember, all this tearing down, building up, moving here and there is janesvilles own stimulus for local contractors. One hand washes the other but the tax payer pays.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:34 a.m.
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frogger; you may be correct, I dont know for sure. I'm just trying to get people out of the tunnel vision that is out there now. Talk about a coy attempt at assisting with ice rink funding. "Hey, would you like to donate to our new Ice Rink, by the way, if we reach our goal you'll get a new Fire Station" - in the interest of Public Safety of course. Sham I say.
Here might be a more suitable site near Milton Ave - look at the overhead photo of the site - its not 2 acres but they don't really need that much land. Look at Madison, Milwaukee or pretty much any larger city than Jvl - they certainly don't have 2 acre firestations.
http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/nov/24/...
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:25 a.m.
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Maybe instead of wasting tax payer money on an ice arena they should allocate that money to something NECESSAARY. Sure seems more plow drivers, and/or more money for salt would be more important than a damn ice arena that the majority of our citizens will NEVER use.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
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I dont like paying taxes anymore than the next person, and I dont have all of the answers. However what needs to be looked at regarding the ice rink, is that we have two cities in close proximity that have two ice rinks. We also have both cities that Co-op on the girls HS (in fact it is more county wide) and youth girls teams.
Why in the world cant both programs (JYHA and BYHA) and both cities figure out a way to build a rink together and consolodate services? Where would they do this? I dont know at this point but this idea should be looked at. Janesville and Beloit need to figure out how to work together. It looks like the clubs could work together, but the challange is will the two "government" bodies be able to work together or have they even tried? I doubt it because this probably means "less government" involvement.
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
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tiredofhearingit- doesn't Hazecamp or somebody own the jail area ? I believe he bought it from Graft. I don't think the city owns it. I also wish they would buy up some land on Milton Av and expand the fire station there.
Maybe they could buy from Hazecamp. Maybe this is one of the "secret" plots?
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
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All I know is that the assesment for my house went down by about $15,000 and I'm still paying the same amount in taxes as I paid last year!! This stinks and we don't need taxes to be any higher, but they will be if the city has it'a way!! You know we will end up footing this bil, it is a want NOT a need and in this economy we should worry about the needs and put aside the wants for now!
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:37 a.m.
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Wait just a minute...“I would say that the Main and Racine-street area is probably the preferred location,” Winzenz said, “but certainly the ice arena is an acceptable location, and if the decision is made to construct a new ice arena, the price is right.
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What's wrong with the land that the city owns that is VACANT - The old Rock Co Jail site- this certainly fits into the location they are looking for, City already owns it AND it has no building on it. If the City decides to use the current ice arena site, the structure will have to be removed (costing even more $)& be replaced - What a waste of a building. Why not sell the current ice arena and land or lease it out if the City wants to keep for some other future use.
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:25 a.m.
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I can see how the Fire Department wants more space for the existing Station #1; it barely seems large enough for the amount of equipment there. I would be more apt to agree to a new building in the same area, as opposed to relocating it to the ice arena area on the chance that private donations will necessitate a new arena. Why can't they purchase the rundown building on the same block and rebuild or expand the existing building? And by the way, I don't agree with needing 2 acres of land to build a new fire station. Do all cities with less than 65,000 people have fire stations of this size? The largest one I can think of in town is the new one on Kennedy Road. It sits on about an acre. Is this also not large enough?
Dec 10, 2009 at 9 a.m.
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Fire station 1 is currently about 1 minute from my house. I find it very hard to believe that their response time to my neighborhood would be 4 minutes if the station moved to the ice arena.
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:23 a.m.
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Get rid of the ice arena!!! Just like everyone else, you get rid of assets to take care of the needed neccesities.
Dec 9, 2009 at 7:05 p.m.
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Forward Janesville! It's only money...right?
Dec 9, 2009 at 5:16 p.m.
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No, Sarah, because if the private money for the new arena doesn't materialize, the city will have no choice but to renovate the existing building.
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Personally I feel the old A&P site would be a good fallback location, if it's large enough. The WIC agency there could be relocated to almost anywhere (bus access is probably a priority). Anyway, the point is that the city isn't yet bound to the ice arena location. It's just a very elegant way to solve two problems at once.
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