Janesville city manager makes redevelopment a top priority
Photo
This 2003 aerial photo shows downtown Janesville looking northeast with the Five Points intersection at the bottom center. In 2008, the city’s administration is proposing to put a greater effort into increasing the area’s appeal.
JANESVILLE — Revitalization plans for downtown Janesville have come and gone, and progress has been made, albeit slowly.
But the time is right to make significant progress, said City Manager Steve Sheiffer, who has pushed downtown development to the top of his priority list for 2008.
“We’re at a critical jumping-off point,” said Sheiffer, who’s read his share of downtown plans in his 20 years in Janesville.
Downtown proponents and opponents have heard that many times before, but Sheiffer said that anything less than his administration’s full attention would be selling the community short.
The landscape of downtown Janesville is different these days, and Sheiffer said several factors should lead to significant progress in downtown Janesville.
“The downtown today is much different than it was 10 years ago,” he said. “If you take a good look at the downtown today, you’ll see that there has been huge progress.”
Ten years ago, the downtown didn’t have a new library, a renovated YMCA or a new Boys and Girls Club. The Janesville Performing Arts Center was a community dream, and The Armory was a far cry from the theater and restaurant venue that it is today.
Sheiffer said several new restaurants have opened and found success.
“Because of all those things, what has occurred in the last 10 years has clearly defined downtown Janesville as a cultural/entertainment district,” Sheiffer said.
Factoring in the downtown’s government and business sector helps define the downtown even further, he said.
The most recent downtown plan identified several properties that are ripe for redevelopment. Sheiffer said he’ll ask the city council to acquire as many of those properties as possible, and the city will help market those parcels to private developers.
“It will take a major investment, but you can’t market what you don’t own,” he said.
Sheiffer said a solid public-private partnership is essential for the successful downtown redevelopment.
That mantra, too, has been chanted for years, but Sheiffer believes a recently created partnership with Forward Janesville will work for downtown Janesville.
The Renaissance Partnership, a nine-member board, will evaluate a long list of development opportunities and make recommendations to the city council, said John Beckord, president of Forward Janesville, the city’s private economic development organization.
The group includes Sheiffer, city council President George Brunner and Paul Williams, chairman of the plan commission.
Their involvement is a strong indication of the city’s commitment to the downtown, Beckord said.
“The timing for this is right because of the projects that have been completed in the past and the fact that there are now opportunities that have presented themselves in the form of investors, developers and sites,” he said.
“The city manager sees an opportunity to use the momentum already generated by so many people and accelerate it.”
In addition to property acquisition and marketing, Sheiffer said he’ll propose a downtown parking project this year.
“If the downtown is going to be a cultural/entertainment district, then we certainly need to look at parking,” he said, adding that he expects a new structure for 100 to 200 vehicles this year and perhaps a second in 2009.
Sheiffer also said a small hotel with adequate meeting space makes sense for downtown Janesville.
“I’m not talking about a convention center, but something that would support the visitors that Mercy (Health System), The Armory and others bring to the downtown,” he said.
If the city is successful in acquiring key properties, it will work with Forward Janesville to guide prospective developers with projects that fit the definition the downtown has created for itself, Sheiffer said.
“Ultimately, you’ve got to recognize that the market and economics control what happens with a project, not the wishes of government,” Sheiffer said.
Markets and economics also will guide the city in how much it can spend to acquire key properties.
“Anytime you try to make a major investment in anything, there’s going to be disagreement,” Sheiffer said. “There will be supporters and there will be detractors, and if there’s one thing that’s certain in government, it’s that when you want to spend money, you’ll take some flak, generate some opposition.
“But you can’t build a great city by saying no; you can’t build a vibrant downtown by saying no.”
New downtown businesses outnumber closures
The big projects have been well documented and heralded, but it’s the smaller ones that play an important role in the sustenance of a community’s downtown.
Last year, 28 new businesses opened in downtown Janesville, while 26 closed their doors or moved, according to the Janesville Design & Development Center.
“We’re moving forward,” said Christine Moore, the center’s managing director.
“Not by leaps and bounds, but slowly.”
Moore and others affiliated with downtown redevelopment efforts must walk a fine line when it comes to business recruitment and retention downtown. They want businesses to open in the area, but in a perfect world they’d be businesses that support the overall theme of the downtown as a cultural/entertainment/social district.
“We’re always asking whether these new businesses complement the direction we want to go with our downtown,” she said. “The bars and restaurants that have opened certainly are in line with the goals.
“But I would never tell a business not to come downtown because it’s not the right type of business.”
Armed with a new downtown redevelopment plan, Moore and others try to steer new businesses to the most suitable downtown location.
“We’d like offices in office spaces and retail in retail spaces,” she said. “We’d rather not have offices in what are clearly (retail) storefronts.”
Moore said some communities have ordinances that restrict storefronts to retail and service businesses.
“We’re not to that point, but we are trying to do is develop a niche market,” she said. “That’s not going to be all things to all people.”
Aug 27, 2008 at 12:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
This is some sort of joke, right? Commenting on a seven month old story?
Anyway, how long have you lived in Janesville Pwrtrp? Downtown is much more populated than the north end of Milton avenue, where any cruising takes place. Nothing is preventing you from cruising downtown. The stop lights were changed to be timed for a 25mph speed limit, so apparently your bright idea isn't favored by any of the cruisers.
Jan 19, 2008 at 5:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
That open-door policy is how property values improve.
Jan 19, 2008 at 5:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
Don't let the door hit ya
Jan 19, 2008 at 3:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Yeah, and if it all works, property values downtown will go up, forcing property taxes up, forcing my rent up. 5 more months and I'm out of this hole.
Jan 19, 2008 at 3:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
Downtown is becoming an entertainment and small shop area with a lot of office space.
It's not attempting to compete with everything that's on Milton Avenue.
Jan 18, 2008 at 9:35 a.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks gazettefan and sfcm!
I also recently bought a couple pieces of Art from a local artist. Her name is Susan Hunt-Wulkowicz and she is quite well known around the country and the world. She has recently bought an old brick home that she is renovating a couple of blocks from the Armory and plans to move in this spring. She says that she is planning to have an open house on a regular schedule to let people see her art and purchase it. I think that her move to the area shows that what is happening downtown is encouraging others to move into the area. I think her in home gallery will fit well with the Entertainment/Arts theme for the area.
Jan 17, 2008 at 9:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
I totally agree with all the previous comments. I love the downtown and also try to patronize as many of the businesses as I can. I remember living downtown in the 300 section of West Milwaukee above the old Lamb's clothing store. It is now a parking lot. I have visited downtowns that have utilized the river to their advantage. Naperville, Illinois is one great example of a wonderful riverwalk. I think Janesville is missing out by not exploring the idea of a river walk. I hope work continues to re-vitalize the downtown area.
Jan 17, 2008 at 7:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
The city has done some good things to the downtown area. Changing the one way streets back to two way, new street lamps used on the Court Street improvement should be used more. I especially like the change on Milwaukee Street---down to one lane with plenty of room on both sides. Really makes driving down that section enjoyable. The downtown is pretty much residential and should be improved to keep that character.
Jan 17, 2008 at 4:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Those who want to know about arts events and festivals going on in the downtown - and countywide - area, can find LOADS of info about places, people, classes, opportunities, events, and links at:
www.rock county
arts.com
And...festivals? Volunteer with United Arts Alliance as they plan the two-day, 3rd Annual ArtsFest for the fall of 2008 :-) It's the enormous talents, time and energy of volunteers and the even the residents of downtown that are really making downtown "move and shake" toward revitalization!
Jan 17, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
I second gazettefan's comments--good call, man. My friends and I enjoy living in Janesville and I hope Whatsup and his girlfriend continue their enjoyment as well!
Jan 17, 2008 at 2:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
To WhatsUp and his girlfriend, welcome to Janesville.
The places you mentioned and some others are all recent additions to Janesville since about the last 5 years. Re: your mention of chain restaurants: Up until about 5 years ago, Janesville was nicknamed Chainsville.
All this means that Janesville is on the upswing. There will be more. You and your girlfriend have come at a good time.
But know this: If you start following the news here, you'll learn of a few loud malcontents who chronically condemn Janesville by way of unjustifiably lashing out at the city administration and the city council.
These people are homegrown and don't seem to understand that Janesville is a pretty good town, especially for its size and demographics.
The administration is accessable and so is the city council. The council meets on the second and fourth Mondays each month at 7pm at city hall on Jackson St.
Those meetings are broadcast live on cable access TV, channel 12, and repeated two or three times the second Wednesday after each live council meeting.
Jan 17, 2008 at 12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
the downtown area is so beautiful and has great potential. festivals would be cool! farmers mart's, artist shows and starving artists sales. i always thought the old courthouse property would be great for a sports arena with 8000 seating. hocky, basketball ; UW and bucks exibitions, high school tournaments, concerts etc.
i thought the city should have insisted on walmart locating downtown. they could have bought the property and granted tax incintives. small but significant street changes would have been needed but worth it. why isn't the fairgrounds used for outdoor events every weekend? concerts, plays, and compititions. we have the potential, i think we are on our way to making good use.
Jan 17, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
Thank you WhatsUp! It's great to hear positive input about the downtown development. I love downtown and frequent the businesses as often as possible! cctrack--Janesville has annual festivals in the downtown area--it's a matter of people hearing about them that seems to be the problem, so keep your eyes out for publicity and come on down when they're scheduled! Well attended downtown events include the Farmer's Market, Spice & Ice Festival, Rock Around the Block, etc. They also have monthly (?) concerts in the courthouse park in the summertime, and those have large attendance numbers. I agree there's a long way to go before it is completely revitalized, but I think that Janesville's off to a great start!
Jan 17, 2008 at 11:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
Janesville needs to have festivals in the downtown area. Be it something similar to the concerts on the square in Madison. The idea is that there needs to be a draw. Adolesence and youth need to be given some sort of an outlet in the downtown area besides the Boys and Girls club and Y. There still needs to be something more to do than go and drink at the three or four bars with "catchy" names. The UROCK campus also should become a four year college to ensure the future of the Janesville communtiy. Is it also still that difficult for the city of Janesville dubbed the city of Parks to build a skate park. How much does cement cost? How long are the burecrats going to sit on their hands and him and haw about such simple projects. I'm sure that Beloit has a skate park.
Jan 17, 2008 at 10:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
I think the city is headed in the right direction with their plans. I have recently moved to Janesville and I like the downtown because of the large variety of businesses and the architectural difference in buildings. My girl friend and I have been making a point to visit the different restaurants and bars every weekend downtown. I guess I like them better than some of the big chain/franchise stores and restaurants near the interstate.
We just recently bought furniture for our new house from the Home Again store and we also bought our new refrigerator from Rock County Appliance. We worked directly with the owners at both stores and received excellent service. We have enjoyed a musical at the Armory and a great steak at Cherry’s! We even bought some wine at the Grapevine Wine shop for a Christmas present and also worked with the owner to find just the right wine.
I look forward to see future development and will continue to patronize the businesses downtown as often as I can.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.