Downtown parking ramp gets high priority
JANESVILLE — City Manager Steve Sheiffer is suggesting that $1 million tentatively earmarked to be borrowed this year for a new aquatics facility instead be put toward a new downtown parking ramp.
“It’s an important enough project that I’m reallocating funds to get it done,” he said.
The city hired a consultant to research costs and possible sites.
The ramp likely would be built on the east side of the Rock River, and Sheiffer mentioned two potential sites, although he said there could be others.
Both are along Parker Drive: one across from One Parker Place and The Janesville Gazette, and the other on the site of a former parking ramp next to Wiggy’s Saloon. That ramp was demolished because it was deteriorating, and it’s now street-level parking.
The city is negotiating a variety of downtown projects, Sheiffer said, and he called a parking structure a high priority.
“It’s clear to me that if we want to refill the office buildings, we’re going to need to add parking in the downtown.”
Sheiffer cited progress downtown, including a variety of restaurants, the Armory and the Boys and Girls Club.
“For economic development reasons, the next goal has got to be to refill the offices,” he said.
And he said that won’t happen without parking. Sheiffer also hopes for residential condo development.
More filled offices would diversify the economy and add to the tax base, Sheiffer said.
He predicted that a second parking ramp would follow sometime in the future.
Sheiffer estimates a parking ramp would cost between $3 million and $4 million and provide 150 to 200 parking spaces. It would be funded by borrowing over two years.
Downtown land is limited, so it is better to build up than horizontally even though it costs more, he said.
“If you use the vacant land for parking, then there’ll be no development,” Sheiffer said.
Sheiffer said the earliest the council will consider the aquatics question is this summer, which means any borrowing for that project would begin in 2009. The council already has set aside more than $1 million for an aquatics facility. Whether the council will build a new facility or simply maintain the current facility has yet to be decided.
“It’s a matter of timing,” Sheiffer said. “Clearly, if we’re not able to proceed (on aquatics), it’s not prudent to add money, especially with high-priority economic development going on.”
The earliest that pool construction could start is fall 2009. Parking ramp construction could begin in spring 2009.
Sheiffer said the ramp would look nice.
“We don’t want any ugly-looking stuctures downtown.
“I’m very optimistic about the downtown plan and commitments,” Sheiffer said, “and we’re going to make some significant progress.”
Mar 10, 2008 at 6:48 p.m.
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I wonder how much they paid to tear down the old ramp......Great Planning....NOT!
Mar 10, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
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I agree the Wiggy's parking lot is far too small for the parking needed. The parking over the Rock River is beyond the expected life, an eyesore, too far away for most people to consider it parking for the Armory or YMCA, and an environmental hazard.
I have a suggestion; what if the Times block was purchased, torn down, and a parking ramp serving the Old Towne Mall, YMCA, Milwaukee Street businesses, Janesville Farmers Market, and the Armory? Maybe the 2 businesses in the Times building can be assisted in a move to another vacant store-front to eliminate other vacancies. One is a drivers education school, and the other is a divorce pro-se office. In doing this, the City would be removing a large, hard to fill, 80% vacant building. This would allow for a parking ramp that serviced many areas, with frontage on three streets, and large enough to replace the parking over the river. A parking structure in this area could also accomidate residents above the many buildings on West Milwaukee Street as well as any visitors they may have.
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.
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I go to the Y just about every night and I have to park down the street, the lot is always full. I’m tired of having to walk so far so I can go to the Y.. and…..walk…. In all seriousness there is a need for more parking. I believe the state is going to force Janesville to remove the parking structure over the river.
Mar 7, 2008 at 7:38 a.m.
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Well said, proartist.
Developing the riverfront downtown and meshing it with the businesses there would make a huge difference.
Mar 7, 2008 at 7:20 a.m.
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Cities across the nation from D.C. to Madison to Boulder to San Francisco have seen a vigorous revitalization of their downtowns with one thing in common....large pedestrian centers. So far, only the Farmers Market Saturday mornings demonstrates the vibrancy that is created with pedestrian areas. When people learn what their feet are for (which they seem to inherently understand when they park off in the hinterland of giant parking lots and then walk the great expanses of big box stores), a parking ramp for depositing cars so people can explore the wealth of Janesville's downtown businesses/attractions ON FOOT will encourage more visitors and commerce.
Mar 6, 2008 at 7:47 p.m.
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Yes to those who want to get rid of that horrible eyesore over the river next to the Olde Towne mall.
And improve parking downtown. A rivived downtown will be good for Janesville.
Mar 5, 2008 at 4:59 p.m.
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Why don't they use a few of the old buildings that need to be remodeled, keep the front, tear down the back and build a parking area. It would look like old buildings in the front. The front doors could be modified as entrances and exits. They could go up 3 levels and you wouldn't know it.
Mar 5, 2008 at 4:11 p.m.
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Demolition of the over-the-river plaza would be the best thing that ever happened if they were serious about downtown revitalization.
Mar 5, 2008 at 3:58 p.m.
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Here's an idea. Use the $1 million to make an aquatics center to generate revenue for downtown improvements, including a parking garage! *shrugs*
Mar 5, 2008 at 3:58 p.m.
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momofjnc is right -- this is about creating more long-term parking for people who work downtown, so that the more convenient street parking will be freed up, making it more attractive for retail.
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The old ramp was such a tight fit in that quarter-block I'm surprised they're considering it. Modern standards would seem to require more turning space than it can accomodate. (I'm still not sure how the 1960s boats used to make the turn at the north end of the lower level, where they eventually made one of the spaces a diagonal exit lane.) The south location, across from Olde Towne, is probably a lot more logical if only because you can probably plan for a three-level structure even if you don't build it that high to begin with.
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Also, there's just a hint here that the city is working contingency plans in case they ever have to demolish the over-river parking.
Mar 5, 2008 at 1:11 p.m.
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I work downtown and parking is desperately needed during the 8-5 hours. It is a problem and I appreciate the city manager seeing this. There are a number of empty office spaces and I do think if we build it they will come. Downtown is a beautiful area and we need to look at what is best for the city and bring business’ into this area.
Mar 5, 2008 at 12:39 p.m.
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Sheiffer said,
“We don’t want any ugly-looking stuctures downtown."
And he's worried about a PARKING RAMP???
Mar 5, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
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Oh come now, do you think he'd listen to them? Once he decides to spend money, it will be done & those bobble heads on the counsel will go along with it!
Mar 5, 2008 at 12:13 p.m.
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Other than the County Courthouse, which has its own parking, and the City Hall, which has its own parking, there isn't enough traffic downtown to justify spending a million dollars on a little-used parking ramp. If downtown businesses think they need more parking, they should pay a special assessment to finance it. If they don't think it is needed, they should tell Sheiffer not to waste taxpayer money.
Mar 5, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.
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I'm not downtown every day, but I have never had a problem finding parking in any part of the city I've visited. Is there an actual problem here? "Build it and they will come" is a cute idea for the movies, but not a good business plan for parking decks! Is there a study out there showing, or projecting from a conservative analysis, a parking shortage?
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