Janesville City Council sticks with south side site
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The Janesville City Council votes against investigating alternate sites for a new ice arena. WCLO's Beth Wheelock reports.
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Janesville ice arena proposed locations
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Bradley A. Cantrell
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Russ Steeber
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Thomas McDonald
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Frank Perrotto
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Bill Truman
JANESVILLE — Didn’t we already decide this?
Four Janesville City council members asked that question Monday before they opted against reconsidering a south side location for a proposed ice arena.
Members of the building committee of the Janesville Youth Hockey Club had asked the council to look at other sites, saying the south side site was hindering fundraising. They said they had heard from businesses that were reluctant to donate because the location did not bring people into the city to spend money.
The committee instead suggested a Black Bridge Road site off of busy Milton Avenue.
The council committed $2 million in October for a new ice arena if the private group raises $1.5 million. The city would chip in another $500,000 for a second sheet of ice if the group raises another $1 million.
Larry Squire said his group was worried everyone moved too fast that night.
“We’ll take whatever site this council decides is in the best interest of the community,” he said. “That night, did we move too fast? Did we not ask enough questions about the site?”
The group has pledges of $600,000 so far with a city deadline of March 1.
The Black Bridge site had been one of more than a dozen city-owned sites analyzed by staff, as was one on the east side at the Youth Sports Complex.
Harry O’Leary, who works downtown, suggested at Monday’s public hearing that the council must be the driving force in downtown development.
Private business will never spend the money needed to clean up the blight, he said.
O’Leary said the council should look again on the west side and Rockport Park.
“It was never intended that all athletic facilities be on the east side of town,” he said.
Steve Scaccia of the Westgate Corridor business group said he would be happy if the west side got another look, as well. But he said he also thought the south side location would do just fine, and that the downtown would be easily accessible from that location.
The arena would be a south side anchor,” Scaccia said. “If we can’t have it on the west side, this will benefit every area of the city.”
Resident Al Lembrich suggested a site on Jackson Street near Dawson Fields.
Brad Cantrell, community development director, said that of all the sites, that might have some merit and that the east and south sides were viable.
The Black Bridge site would be a lightening rod for the project because he guaranteed significant neighborhood opposition.
“I would love to have a facility like this in the downtown,” Cantrell said. But the building alone would take up a city block and require 600 parking spaces. The city can develop about 200 spaces on a city block. A parking garage for 250 spaces costs $4 million, meaning a redevelopment project could cost $10 million.
Utilities would have to be extended into the Rockport Park location at additional cost, he said.
Council member Russ Steeber made the motion to refer the matter to the plan commission because he said he didn’t think he was in the best position on Monday to pick a site.
“I thought we had a site picked out,” council member Tom McDonald said, adding that no matter where the ice arena goes, people will question the decision.
Council member Frank Perrotto said the city should concentrate on finding ways to direct people to city businesses from the south side. He said he viewed the south side site as an anchor for development, particularly along the bypass.
City staff already did an exhaustive study of sites, he said. Now, the council is suggesting there is probably a location they missed, he said.
“I don’t understand the rationale,” Perrotto said. “We already did this. I’m not quite sure why we’re doing it again.”
Council member Bill Truman, too, noted the 6-1 decisions that put the arena on the south side.
“It think we’ve already decided,” Truman said.
The vote to take a second look at locations failed, with Truman, George Brunner, Perrotto and McDonald voting no and Steeber, Kathy Voskuil and Yuri Rashkin voting yes.
Jan 28, 2010 at 7:05 p.m.
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justintimberlakerules:LOL!
Jan 28, 2010 at 9:01 a.m.
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If they do go ahead with this I also agree on the South side.
partarican1
Jan 27, 2010 at 1:12 p.m.
Suggest removal Is it possible that the committee is having difficulty raising its share of the funds because it's not a good investment/idea?
GOOD POINT!
Jan 27, 2010 at 9:09 p.m.
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dkush21 - are you hitting on me?
Jan 27, 2010 at 8:23 p.m.
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I guess you're a young one.
Jan 27, 2010 at 8:19 p.m.
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dkush21 - my ears are dry. Not sure what you're trying to say. You've obviously have never seen Hank's(Pete's) wife.
Jan 27, 2010 at 8:12 p.m.
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Perhaps a referendum should be done before our city council and city manager decides what WANTS we spend our money on.
Jan 27, 2010 at 8:10 p.m.
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justintimberlakerules: Are you wet behind the ears still? Only a child would come up with a remark against someone else's wife, child, mother,etc.
Jan 27, 2010 at 8:01 p.m.
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Hmm. Looks like glory day in the boiler room. The comments suggest that choosing a site is premature. This project needs to be sold to the public first, since it involves a considerable public expenditure on a limited-interest facility. Janesville isn't exactly known for producing Olympic skating contenders. Perhaps a public campaign to encourage local participation in winter sports in general would be a better place to begin.
Jan 27, 2010 at 6:25 p.m.
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Hank....these days ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.....
Jan 27, 2010 at 5:18 p.m.
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Hank - Janesville looks like your wife?
Jan 27, 2010 at 2:41 p.m.
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Exactly where on the south side is this location? It doens't mention a location other than to say on the south side, and I didn't get a chance to review the previous articles pertaining to this decision.
Jan 27, 2010 at 1:33 p.m.
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Actually Badgerlover, we already have a curling arena in Janesville. The Blackhawk Curling Club is located at the Rock County Fairgrounds. There is an Open House on Sunday, February 28 noon-4PM. Everyone is welcome. Curling will be the theme of an episode of the Simpson's on February 14th. You can also watch it on the Olympics, featuring American skip Debbie McCormick who attended Blackhawk Curling Club's Open House this past October.
Jan 27, 2010 at 1:12 p.m.
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Is it possible that the committee is having difficulty raising its share of the funds because it's not a good investment/idea?
Jan 27, 2010 at 1:03 p.m.
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Badgerlvr, there already is a curling arena located at the Fairgrounds, but a new curling surface would fit nicely with the new ice arena. Thanks for asking!
Jan 27, 2010 at 12:30 p.m.
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I have a son just started playing hockey, so I'm just becoming familliar with the responsibilities that come along with his father and my decision to have him play. It is a huge commitment, but it is one made out of choice, not necessity. I am glad that there will be a new ice areana.
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That being said, I completely understand the questions many raise in regards to the timing/cost of this project, as I am concerned about that as well.
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If this project goes ahead, and it seems like it will, I am very happy to hear about the south side location. Having been raised on the south side of town, I am concerned with the lack of attention it receives...thanks to the council members who stuck to their original decision. In response to the argument that many businesses are reluctant to donate because of the location: I say b.s. People are not going to decide against going to a hockey game because it's on the south side. Furthermore, I'd argue that having it closer to Beloit will draw more people in.
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For a long time I have felt that the south side is neglected. My opinion as to why this is is not very flattering. I think that the south side is neglected because it has less money and the citizens who have less power live on that side of town. The majority of those with money/resources seem to want to keep projects such as this close to them. I know this sounds bad, and that's because it is. It is only my opinion, but it is what it is. I'd like to see more civic involvement from those on the south side...I'd also like to see more acknowledgement from those in power towards that side of town. Keeping the proposed location of the new ice areana on the south side is a step in the right direction.
Jan 27, 2010 at 12:14 p.m.
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First a "Water Park". Then a "Skate Park". Now a new "Ice Rink" What's next, a "Curling Arena"?
Jan 27, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
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I'm not shy about touting downtown development, but putting the ice arena there doesn't make much sense as it would balloon project (and taxpayer) costs. The south side location seems ideal in many ways, including access from Beloit. (I can see advantages in other non-proposed spots such as along Center Ave. or even the GM or JATCO sites, but none of those are apparently available.) And moving it opens up a nearly ideal location for the central fire station.
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The idea that it's in the wrong location simply because people want it somewhere else doesn't hold much water. Janesville is not so large a city that an activity destination like this is too far from any other part. I live west and south of the city center and make many, many journeys out to the shopping corridor without thinking twice about it, and I actually have family members who live well outside the city and regularly trek in to take care of basic shopping and services. If somebody can drive 10 miles for a pizza the ice arena can be on the south side.
Jan 27, 2010 at 6:16 a.m.
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Still shaken my head over the apathy of the community's ignorance towards the wasted *hidden* funds for this dopple-wonker. Just wait for their responce whence it demands funding for repair and upkeep LATER. They will ask themselves, 'Where was I when the counsel shoved this project threw?'
Jan 27, 2010 at 2:53 a.m.
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Where would they put it in Rockport Park? Destroy more of the wooded areas again? Remove the pool and Peace Park? Or try to stuff it where the soccar fields are?
ne1, more than likely the costs will skyrocket once construction starts. Or they'll add some things else to it. Ya know Janesville City Council (and the school board to boot) with their pet projects, money is no object even if they dont have it.
Jan 27, 2010 at 2:17 a.m.
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how do you get the extra $6 mil
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