City grapples with possible uses of mammoth GM facility
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With GM’s announcement that its assembly plant in Janesville will close by the end of 2010, one of the questions for local officials has been what to do with the sprawling facility, which has almost 4.1 million square feet of floor space.
JANESVILLE — “Wow, it’s big.”
That’s an assessment from Bill Mears, a businessman who’s used to marketing huge commercial buildings.
Mears, a broker with Coldwell Banker, was talking about Janesville’s General Motors plant. He was considering how an empty plant with more than 4 million square feet under roof and the acreage around it might be converted to something positive.
General Motors says it will shut down the plant by the end of 2010.
So as Janesville considers life without General Motors, it must grapple with something that’s not going away: The plant itself.
Should the city seek a new tenant for the more than 4 million square feet?
Or should a developer be sought to tear it all down and build anew?
It’s a daunting prospect for someone used to commercial real estate deals, and it’s daunting to city planners.
“That’s a lot of land,” said Doug Venable, economic development director for the city of Janesville.
“A building of that size and magnitude, the number of potential users in the country is fairly small,” Venable said. “A project or two a year might come along on a national basis” that is looking for a facility of that size.
And then the question is: Could it even be adapted for modern manufacturing?
The prospect of an empty GM plant raises myriad questions. Following are some answers.
Q: What’s the best we can hope for?
A: That’s easy: The giant automaker retools the plant to produce a new vehicle here, one that would sell better than the large SUVs that have fallen out of favor. Union and political leaders are pursuing this option, but auto analysts and GM brass themselves say it’s unlikely.
The biggest hurdle: the millions of dollars it would take to retool.
“You would have to rip almost everything out and start over,” said one analyst, quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
GM closed several factories in Lansing, Mich., several years ago, and while one of those was converted to make the Cadillac CTS, others stand vacant with no immediate prospects.
Q: Does the old plant offer any advantages to other companies?
A: Yes. First, consider the location. Janesville might be the perfect spot for a major industry or redevelopment, said Brad Cantrell, the city’s community development director.
Janesville is in a growth corridor, and it has unique advantages among Wisconsin communities, Cantrell said. Advantages include:
n No physical limitations to growth, such as adjoining communities or bodies of water.
n Location, between Madison and Rockford, Ill., “which provide opportunities for our residents to work in those communities and live here.”
However, the price of gasoline is making commuting less attractive.
n Major transportation links, including the Interstate system and railroads, serve the city.
n An existing industrial base, including trained workers with a good reputation.
And the plant itself could open up new opportunities. If GM can’t be persuaded to start a new production line here, the plant has something that no other site in Janesville has: access to two rail lines right on the property. It also has a new access road designed to speed truck deliveries from highways to and from the plant.
One of those rail lines is the Union Pacific, which Venable said is one of the best lines in the state. The other is the Wisconsin Southern.
“So that’s obviously a big plus for continued industrial use for that area,” Cantrell said.
Janesville has no vacant industrial buildings served by rail now, Venable said, and no vacant land in industrial park that can be served by rail.
Indeed, Janesville was crossed off the list recently when a developer decided to build a distribution center in Beloit, Venable said.
The GM site is close to the Rock River, but nearly all of it, including its main buildings, is outside the floodplain, Cantrell said.
Q: If GM does leave us an empty plant, what’s the next step?
A: First of all, it’s up to GM to decide what it wants to do with the site, Venable said.
GM has its own internal real estate group, which might contract with a national real estate broker to sell the property, Venable said.
“Who knows what GM will do? I don’t think they’ve even begun to think about that process, yet,” Venable said.
But before any sale, an environmental study would be needed.
After nearly 90 years on the same industrial site, contamination of the ground is likely.
“I just can’t imagine that’s not the case,” Cantrell said.
Not to mention possible asbestos or lead paint in the buildings, Venable said.
Venable said that as the owner GM would be responsible for any cleanup.
Any prospective buyer and any bank financing the deal would demand to have environmental questions satisfied, Venable said.
The buildings also would have to be studied to see how they might comply with building codes, Venable said.
“It’s a very complicated and difficult process, but it’s one we may have to look at in the future,” Venable said.
Q: What could the city do to spur redevelopment?
A: Tax incremental financing, a tool the city has used frequently, could help, but only if the improvements to the property resulted in an increase in value, resulting in higher taxes that would help pay for the improvements.
Q: What are the most likely uses for such a site?
A: People have speculated about office space or condominiums, but experts said the most likely use is manufacturing or a warehouse/distribution center.
Mears said the huge building might lend itself to an “intermodal” distribution facility, where containers used for international trade could be transferred among rail and highway carriers.
The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport adds another nearby transportation mode.
“It’s not real sexy, and it’s not an industry that necessarily pays GM kind of wages, but at least it would be a place for young people, hopefully, to work,” Mears said.
And some current GM workers already are familiar with handling container shipments.
But Venable said he’s not sure if there’s any demand for such a facility in the Janesville area.
The Union Pacific still has capacity in a facility it built in Rochelle, Ill., a few years ago, Venable said. UP also has an intermodal facility near the Chrysler plant in Boone County, Ill.
Venable suggested multiple tenants under one roof. Advantages include high-bay storage and access to loading docks.
Local developer Jim Grafft said he’d do what he has done in the past: selectively raze parts of the plant, dividing it in to several buildings.
“You keep portions of it, and you raze the rest to make what’s surviving more valuable,” said Grafft, who has bought and rehabilitated many old buildings in the area,
Grafft said he did exactly that with a building just across the street from GM—the old Hufcor plant.
Q: What about another automaker?
A: Not likely. Experts say automakers would prefer to build a building that fits modern needs rather than try to convert such an old building, despite its recent improvements. And most auto plants built these days are built in the South.
“If you gave Toyota that plant right now, they’d run from it as fast as they could,” Grafft said.
And Janesville isn’t the only plant looking for a new tenant. The Ford Ranger plant in St. Paul, for example, is expected to close next year.
Q: Could the city order GM to do something with the plant?
A: Only under certain circumstances. Venable said the city’s duty is to make sure the buildings are safe and secure. The nightmare would be unsecured, dilapidated buildings in which people run around as tiles fall off the roof or walls collapse.
If the plant becomes a health or safety problem, city could tell the owner to tear it down, Venable said.
But GM could disagree and take the city to court.
Q: So there’s hope?
A: You betcha. Mears said the Janesville-Beloit area is used to grabbing its own bootstraps and hoisting itself up when it’s down on its luck, and who knows what will be the result?
“It’s an exciting thing to start thinking about, but at the same time, you’re sad and really disappointed about something that’s been a part of the history of this area for so long,” Mears said.
HOW BIG IS IT?
General Motors holdings in Janesville, according to the city:
-- Total acres: 249.4. This includes the Allied Trucking site south of the plant, the plant itself and all parking lots.
-- Without the Allied Trucking properties: 136.6 acres.
-- Total building square footage: 4,097,100.
-- Main plant: 4,037,000 square feet. That’s 92.6 acres under roof.
-- Compare that to: The Janesville Mall is 45 acres, including all buildings and land. The Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club site is 50 acres.
Or consider the Rock County fairgrounds. At 18.45 acres, the fairgrounds could fit inside the plant and have room for four more fairgrounds of the same size.
Jun 22, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.
Jun 16, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.
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okay,oreily's, I thought it was ANOTHER besides the court st one. the issue is nonunion people from another state or city besides JAnesville are working on building it.Sorry to say I have seen Cullens work and wouldnt recommned it.
Jun 14, 2008 at 1:39 p.m.
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Turn it into a big office complex for all the local politicians that wasted so much time kissing GM's you know what instead of trying to bring in new employers that pay more than a Walmart greeter gets.
Jun 14, 2008 at 1:21 p.m.
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hannah - it was in the newspaper a few months ago. O'Rielly Auto Parts is building a new store on the site of the old Hardee's on the west side on West Court Street. They are being picketed, but I don't know exactly what the issues are.
Jun 14, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
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I vote for a jail to house all the 2,3,4,5,6, plus drunk driving offences. Drunks aren't as big a treat if they 'escape' into the residential areas. And everyone knows we need to do something about all these drunk drivers in the state of WI, why not punish them for breaking the law over and over and over and over and over and over and over.
Jun 14, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
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do we need all these auto parts stores to fix all the chevy people drive in this town???Maybe with gm gone people wont feel forced/or (shamed if they dont) to buy a less superior product.
Jun 14, 2008 at 12:34 p.m.
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did you hear theyre building ANOTHER auto parts store. cant remember where but the union workers are pissed cause they didnt hire union from around here to build it.I am sure they have there reasons for it and arent trying to attack anyone here personally. the union/non union people get so bent out of shape over union/non union stuff.!!
Jun 14, 2008 at 8:58 a.m.
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Make it an indoor football areana for the semi-pro team.
Jun 11, 2008 at 9 a.m.
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They could put 15 more Auto Parts store/Title Loan businesses in there. We all know Janesville needs more of those.
Jun 10, 2008 at 10:11 p.m.
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Just to clarify.... I'm referring to the Huber people as losers and not the GM workers.
Jun 10, 2008 at 10:08 p.m.
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I think that they should convert the plant complex into a jail work camp. This way, the "we don't have the cells for all of these people" excuse couldn't be used, and we could get rid of the idiotic "Huber" program. If these people who had 3 DWI's actually had to do some "hard time" as opposed to checking out in the morning, going to their "job", and then checking in for a warm meal and bed.....maybe they would be less likely to re offend. Give the laid off GM guys first crack at the guard positions. I'm sure they can find some work for these losers that wouldn't take jobs away from law abiding citizens.
Jun 10, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.
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Maybe they could house the people who will be filing for bankruptcy and lose their homes.
Jun 10, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.
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That place is too large and too expensive for most companies to consider. It also cannot be easily retooled for anything except perhaps storage. I'd say solicit to some potential buyers and if they all turn it down, then raze the the building.
Jun 10, 2008 at 12:54 p.m.
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249.4 acre Hemp field.........Hemp Oil! It's the answer! Think about it...
Jun 10, 2008 at 7:55 a.m.
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chad vader~
You're correct about the roaches. When I was down there, I had a family of them right in my work area! I had names for them and everything. Infact, one of them was so familiar, I named him "Zeus". (My work area was stationed right on top of a sewer cap)
Jun 10, 2008 at 4:10 a.m.
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Well if a fresh start is what appears that many GM haters want and seemingly Gazette journalist, than I would suggest knocking the building down. For one, the building would be too expensive to convert to anything other than a warehouse. Secondly, it is an eye sore as anything other than good paying jobs and an auto plant. I've always thought it was particularly ugly. The space made available would leave room for a new modern industrial park, which could bring a variety of jobs to the city. The railways and HWY access would be a great selling point to new companies.
Jun 10, 2008 at 2:22 a.m.
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A portion of the plant could become the greatest industrial museum in the world. Tours could be incredible. They could trace changing worker and social patterns and developments over 90 years, along with management and worker testimonies and case studies. Displays of factory products over the evolving decades could be interesting, authentic, and beautiful. Tours of worker lines from various eras would bemost informative. It all could involve development, in cooperation with GM, of a big-time Historical Foundation, a salute to the US worker and industry. And I will bet the people of Rock County would gladly join auxiliary volunteer organizations to contribute to community-based management, historical interpretation, exhibition construction, and visitor hospitality and service.
Jun 10, 2008 at 12:08 a.m.
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I would leave it stand, let GM have a break, and be glade they are closed.
Jun 10, 2008 at 12:04 a.m.
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Does GM have to continue to pay taxes until they sell the land (or go bankrupt)?
Jun 10, 2008 at midnight
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I just wonder where all the roaches will go if the plant is torn down? If you live close bye you had better set up an electric fence - these babies have gotten quite large!
Jun 9, 2008 at 11:55 p.m.
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snazzy1977 NO !! THe cost of housing will see the bottom fall out !! Taxes will be HIGHER !! GM paids $850,000. in taxes ,who do you think will be making that up when they are gone ? People think our schools are having a hard time now with the budgets !!! The city saids we have to cut services now because their budgets are tight !! Welcome to higher taxes in Janesville !
Jun 9, 2008 at 11:22 p.m.
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Casinos and waterparks seem to work best when visible, near a highway, to attract the tourists.
Jun 9, 2008 at 11:16 p.m.
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I don't think that would make a good location for the fairgrounds or a prison. Prisons are usually located away from rural housing in case people escape. The railroad still runs through that property and would cost money to re-route. That would not be wise considering the people in the surrounding area would probably be forced to give up land like they did on Beloit avenue to widen the road for GM traffic.
A casino/waterpark would be cool. I thought years back Janesville turned down a proposition for a waterpark. I could be wrong though.
Jun 9, 2008 at 11 p.m.
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Build an amusement park, taxes are high anyways, and if GM leaves the cost of housing and taxes will go down, so it will even out eventually. Not another hospital and definately not the fairgrounds. I'd rather have an amusement park than GM there anyways! lol.
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:59 p.m.
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...and/or expensive.
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.
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Don't forget even IF the city allowed it to be reparceled ..sewer and water !! This will be a nightmare for years to come !
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.
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Knowing janesville they will make it a park
B
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:24 p.m.
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ihavealife,
The site wouldn't have to be sold in one chunk if it was reparceled.
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:52 p.m.
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Speaking of the fairgrounds, maybe this would be a good site for a new fairgrounds. Maybe a arena for concerts that could be used year round...
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:39 p.m.
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Chad - You forgot, eat.
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:27 p.m.
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Well, at least according to the haters then the GM workers should find work at the casino, since all we do is drink or gamble.
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:08 p.m.
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Who's up for a food court?
Jun 9, 2008 at 8:38 p.m.
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The GM plant is valued at 40.8 million.... Even if the land was worth half, what company could affort to buy it ??
Jun 9, 2008 at 7:32 p.m.
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ladybug, uf youre going to make stuff up at least get things somewhat right. Ho-Chunk has NOTHING to so with the Beloit casino. In fact theyve been running pathetic little TV commercials whining about the fact that theyre not the ones trying to build that casino. I hope that sorry whiny tribe comes no where near Janesville. Lets call the Potowatomi. They build WAYYYYYYYYY better casinos anyway. Ho chunk is a DUMP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jun 9, 2008 at 7:13 p.m.
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Nuclear waste dump for federal government? That's what my neighbor overheard at Flying J lunch counter in South Beloit, IL. Supposedly this can be done without taking a vote locally.
Jun 9, 2008 at 7:11 p.m.
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Ladybug: Great gossip! Except that Ho Chunk has nothing to do with the Beloit casino plan.
Jun 9, 2008 at 6:36 p.m.
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I have a idea about how to use the old Janesville plant,turn it in to another "Autoville" like in Flint Mi. Autoville could show case no longer sceen car makes like Oldsmobie,Plymouth,LaSalle,Desoto,etc...
Autoville could also show the highs (1968) and the lows (anytime after 1974).
In Autoville,there could be rides like a rollercoaster that would be named the assembly line,and maybe one named test track(?).
Oh,and one other thing,Autoville could also show a dying breed,the U.S. autoworker.
This idea has been done before and has closed in less than 6 months,and the city got stuck with the tab for both construction and destruction of this very bad idea.
Jun 9, 2008 at 5:43 p.m.
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I call shenanigans.
Jun 9, 2008 at 5:43 p.m.
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Uuhh, wouldn't Janesville have to approve the use for a Casino?
Jun 9, 2008 at 5:42 p.m.
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HIREDGAN: So you think all these other countries are so good for us,think again,the monies they make go back home,they leave a few crumbs behind so people like you THINK there doing some good for this country. The word jap. was not meant to disrespect no one,and we are ALL American's,One Word! Keep your train of thought,before you know it,and it is already happening,countries outside of the good U.S.of A. already own more of the u.s. lands then you'll ever know. The good ole government at work for the american people,or their own interests.
Jun 9, 2008 at 5:38 p.m.
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I have it from a reliable source that Ho Chunk nation has all ready been in contact with GM to turn the land into a huge casino, waterpark, hotel and shopping complex. They plan to pull out of Beloit and use the entire GM land to build on. They expect to be building by 2012 and open for buisness two years after. They all ready have the Governers ok and don't even need to put it to a vote.
Jun 9, 2008 at 5:10 p.m.
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...sorry, 249.4 acres.
Jun 9, 2008 at 5:09 p.m.
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chelleand lou wrote:
"The plant is not a good place for the fairgrounds for many reasons, first of all its not centrally located."
Centrally located to what? It doesn't have to be in the center of Janesville, just as the County land isn't. Janesville is very close to the center of Rock County though.
"The contamination issue"
As I stated, an environmental study needs to be done. It will have to be cleaned up, no matter what the land is used for. We don't want contamination running into the river.
"the river is another issue when you have little kids running around"
You can't keep your kids out of the river? Can you keep them away from the busy, tight streets around the current fairgrounds?
"not to mention the bars and Screemin Meemee's"
The fairgrounds wouldn't have to be located at the edges of the property.
"the parking and traffic would be a nightmare, as it already is in the current location."
I think 249.9 acres is plenty of space to create parking.
"The county farm is a better location due to the central location and highways 14 and 51 right there."
Possibly. The GM site has IT'S OWN ROAD to Beloit Avenue, which connects to Hwy 11, I-90, etc.; you know, the rest of Rock County. Also, the county farm land might be more valuable to sell than use as a fairgrounds.
Jun 9, 2008 at 3:27 p.m.
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I think if fair was there 250 acres of land is plenty for parking. A zoo or waterpark people have been talking about would be neat there BUT janesville wont be able to support it and I dont think people have any more money to pay for higher taxes. And nothing like this will be able to go here anyway if the land isnt suitable. Like somebody mentioned - doubt it.
WE are city of parks how about a tropical pyramids like in Galveston, Tx??- again prob cant support it but that place was PACKED with tourists who can
Jun 9, 2008 at 3:12 p.m.
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Make it into a central prison. With the economy the way it is and the loss of jobs everywhere and people's stress level's at an all time high compounded by our mainstream society's inability to unite and come together, people are going to turn to crime. People's backs are going to be up against the wall and many will do what they have to do to survive. Could get real ugly. I'm praying not.
Jun 9, 2008 at 3:05 p.m.
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If traffic and parking is a dilema then why was the bypass and new roads placed for GM? Why wasn't GM told no by the community leaders and advised to relocate the plant? A good community center needs to be where the people and businesses are in order to rebuild more than the north side businesses already being catered to. The downtown area needs the boost really bad or forget your downtown. That's one of the reasons for summerfest being where it is. If the GM plant were to go to the city it needs to be utilized for the good of the WHOLE city not turned into more of the same. If one was to look at Rock County as needing a new fair grounds the the Beloit Gateway area is best as it is near many main municipaliies. Also, the Beloit area project is near I-43, I-90, I-39 251 and much more as far as a easily accessable location for business and recreation.
Jun 9, 2008 at 2:59 p.m.
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Woodsman1:
The term "japs" is patently offensive to many Japanese Americans. It is unecessary and displays ignorance on your part. And may I point out to you that the Japanese are investing billions of dollars into our economy building, amongst other things, auto plants, thus putting people to work and food upon their tables, and making our economy grow.
Jun 9, 2008 at 2:41 p.m.
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The plant is not a good place for the fairgrounds for many reasons, first of all its not centrally located. The contamination issue, the river is another issue when you have little kids running around; not to mention the bars and Screemin Meemee's; the parking and traffic would be a nightmare; as it already is in the current location. The county farm is a better location due to the central location and highways 14 and 51 right there.
Jun 9, 2008 at 2:33 p.m.
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It will take a decison from GM. Take Milwaukee for instance they have a great summerfest grounds and it serves many of the local businesses. Also, check out what the Mayor in Philidelphia is doing with over 148,000 empty buildings and lots. They are creating community gardens, and new area friendly businesses after removing those buildings. For instance they demolished many and kept the rubble for streets and sell it for roads. They started manufacturing Bio-diesel using all the grease from area restraunts and anywhere else they can get it. Then they converted their city vehicles and equipment over to burn the fuel. Empty gas stations were converted to bio stations. They are attempting at all costs to become more city independent which created jobs and very cost effective. But wake up Janesville, they have a Mayor elected by the people, not a highly paid City Manager with the influential civic business leaders first and foremost to satisfy. The people decide who leads them and can make a change every election.
Jun 9, 2008 at 2:01 p.m.
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call the chinese or indian car companies, i am sure they would be interested in the property. Oh, they would pay cash!
Jun 9, 2008 at 1:58 p.m.
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Optimism - I wasn't saying I know everything... I was just saying pretty much what your comment states... that everyone has ideas about what should be done but we have no real power over what will be done with it. I mean I kinda feel the same way about voting.... even if you vote someone into office, they are still going to make decisions that you don't agree with but if you don't vote, and the president/office holder makes decisions you don't agree with, people say you have no right to complain because you didn't vote, when in all reality, you didn't vote because when it comes right down to it, you don't get to make the decisions anyways... you just have to pick someone that has the same GENERAL principals you do and HOPE that they do what you want them to do. I know that there is more to it then just that but I'm not in congress, or the senate or any of those other decision making offices... and I don't really want to be. The world is getting worse day by day and humans are the ones that are making it worse, yes, me included.
Jun 9, 2008 at 1:22 p.m.
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hannah,
The fairgrounds needs more space, and currently has no parking. While it might not use the whole land, it could certainly use a large chuck of it. Plus, it has it's own access road.
Jun 9, 2008 at 1:17 p.m.
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if 4 of the old fairgrounds can fit INSIDE the building isnt that land a BIT large for a fair???
Jun 9, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.
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chemical6! You are so right, but you know, everyone thinks they know what the answer is...they know how the president should react, they know what should have been done with the tax payers money...etc. BUT none of them hold any position to enforce their answers. IF YOU THINK you know it all...PLEASE run for office.
Jun 9, 2008 at 1:12 p.m.
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There is a likely option that GM will choose to tear down 100% of the plant, parking and fencing and also replace the top 6 feet of much of the land. As expensive as it might be, this will leave the land clean and ready to sell off in smaller lots with no liability to GM.
Jun 9, 2008 at 1:02 p.m.
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turn it back into a wet land like it was in the beginning.
Jun 9, 2008 at 12:48 p.m.
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That is NOT a good place for the fairgrounds!
Jun 9, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
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Has anyone ever thought of turning the site into the new fairgrounds? It's big enough, plus the new road that was just built would provide easy access for the interstate.
Jun 9, 2008 at 12:33 p.m.
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As the article states, the first thing that needs to be done is an environmental study. If GM has razed other sites and built new, I have hope that the Janesville site can be used for something other than a land fill.
There will be no new auto factory, by GM or anyone else. The transplants (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) won't come to a union city. GM doesn't need the capacity. Even if they did, GM has other plants they could retool. Why would they choose the oldest factory?
I would think being next to the river should be an advantage. Environmental issues aside, I could see new Rock County fairgrounds located there.
Jun 9, 2008 at 12:08 p.m.
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The only people that have control over what happens here are the owners of GM and the politicians that run Janesville. No matter what any of the employees or citizens of Janesville think, we have no control over the future or lack there of, of this factory. It's out of our hands and frankly, I think the whole situation is getting out of hand and I am suprised there hasn't been any threats of violence.... this is just rediculous. It's too bad the company isn't "employee owned"...
Jun 9, 2008 at 11:43 a.m.
Jun 9, 2008 at 11:08 a.m.
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No offense meant to ANYONE, but why don't we all just relax and let the course run as it will. THis is almost as bad as a spouse spending the life insurance policy before the other spouse is dead!
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:57 a.m.
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well in Hodgkin's, IL a suburb of Chicago they changed that old GM plant into UPS main package hub for the country maybe fedex would think the same of Janesville or DHL
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:57 a.m.
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Why so fatalistic? Why accept that GM, who has ruined the site, should be off the hook? I say we begin to fight, and think about both a carrot and a stick. Jim Doyle offered GM a carrot -- the 10 million dollars in subsidies -- but they didn't even have the respect for him and more importantly for the citizens of Wisconsin to call him and let him know about the closure. They should still offer another package both on the state level and something more general on the federal level. (Where's the plan for retaining manufacturing that comes from Congress?) Why don't we circulate a pledge that, if GM doesn't retool the factory, we pledge that we will never buy GM cars? If such a pledge were signed by millions of consumers, perhaps we could use our consumer push to get them to reconsider.
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:53 a.m.
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I THINK BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF THE PLANT,AND THE GOOD IT HAS DONE FOR SO MANY LIFE'S,INCLUDEING THE IDENITY OF JANESVILLE,IT SHOULD BE A LAND MARK THAT STATES EVERYTHING THAT THIS PLANT STANDS FOR. YOU WOULDN'T THINK ABOUT RAZEING THE MILTON HOUSE,WOULD YOU??????
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:50 a.m.
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The best that we can hope for would be to build a NEW plant, not for General Motors to retool. The cost to retool an old plant of this size would be staggering. It is better to build new and have a flexible, lean and state of the art facilty than have an old facilty with not the proper layout to produce with efficiency.
With regards to the Lansing, MI comment in the article, Lansing Car Assembly has been razed. Parts of the Chassis plant was razed and Lansing Grand River Assembly (Cadillac) was built on that site. The old Fisher Body and Durant plant was just demolished this year. The stamping plant is set to begin demo this year. The Lansing Craft Center (niche vehicles EV1, SSR and Cadillac Eldorado)has also been razed. Lansing Delta Township Assembly(Acadia, Enclave, Outlook) also has a stamping plant for the vehicles built at both Lansing Plants.
Wisconsin, Rock County leaders and UAW Local 95 need to lobby General Motors to build their next car plant in Rock County. General Motors will no doubt need more small/mini car capacity in North America. Why not have them locate it in Janesville. Build it right off I-90.
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.
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MillerCoors could use some new buildings...maybe?
Jun 9, 2008 at 10:37 a.m.
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Concessions have to be made? Why would we want to do that?
GM owns the site. GM is responsible for the activities that have taken place, and for any environmental remediation that must be done.
If concessions are made, guess who gets to pay? That's right - you and me and all the fine people who GM is letting go. How's that for a goodbye kiss?
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
Condemn it, and tear down their barn.
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.
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I agree with cleaning up a mess but some concessions have to be made. Tie GM up in court then who would want to start a business here? Who’s going to pay for the legal battle?
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:44 a.m.
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Referring to first line. That's what she said.
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
I just hope our leaders both locally and statewide don't sit back and wait until the 11th hour to find solutions. There should be enough options for the site to start working on something now so we're not stuck with a huge vacant factory for the next 15-20 years.
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
Bring on the New cars..
Jun 9, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
The simple answer is, you cannot let GM sit on the vacant building for any amount of time. We learned our lessons from Chrylser and their retreat from Kenosha.
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The state, county, and city should begin a process now, to clear the site of all structures.
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And if GM pushes back, as they will, until they determine their tax options, then Rep. Paul Ryan needs to unleah the EPA on GM.
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The site is Superfund worthy, no doubt, but GM, as long as they hold title, and hold-out hope that a new product may "some day" return to Janesville, only prolongs the agony and keeps the EPA wolves at the curb.
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An army of politicians and lawyers should make it clear Janesville wants the site cleared, the site remediated, so the area can begin to market that parcel for all the reasons stated above - rail, cargo, freight, warehousing, etc.
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Doyle and Ryan need to be proactive and think outside the box.
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