Janesville city manager budgets $50,000 for skatepark
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An artist’s rendering shows how the proposed Janesville skatepark would look. The city would save money by using the pre-existing concrete slab at the former batting cages on South Jackson Street near Dawson Fields.
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JANESVILLE — A skatepark for Janesville might finally gain some momentum.
City Manager Eric Levitt has included $50,000 in the city's fall borrowing note for a skatepark at the former batting cages on South Jackson Street near Dawson Fields.
The skatepark would be adjacent to the bike trail.
Levitt has included an additional $50,000 to grade and restore city-owned property to the north at 907 S. Jackson St., which was the site of the now-demolished Allen Kitchen & Bath Center.
The council is scheduled to consider borrowing the money at its Monday meeting.
Cost of a first-phase skatepark is estimated at about $130,000. The park would be built on an existing concrete slab, saving money.
Skaters have said they prefer a bowl construction, but that would be more expensive. Previous skatepark estimates have been $250,00 or more.
The proposed design provides some of the advantages of a bowl while using the existing slab and is a "win-win," said Al Hulick of the city.
The city asked a skateboard design company what it could get for about $100,000, Assistant City Manager Jay Winzenz said.
"They came back with a proposal that isn't at the level or scale that was originally discussed, but it does provide for ramps and other features for skateboarders," Winzenz said.
The slab could be expanded and features added in the future.
The city would chip in $50,000 and continue partnering with Roger and Fern Streich, who head a private fundraising effort. Streich said Thursday he has raised about $50,000.
Levitt hopes private fundraising for the remaining $30,000 would be easier with a site selected, a plan designed, phases designated and $50,000 contributed by the city.
Streich has said the council's vacillation on choosing a site for a skatepark has hurt his fundraising efforts. He has been raising money for more than six years.
In 2005, the council voted to put the skatepark in Palmer Park—a site preferred by the Streichs. The council changed its mind, influenced by neighbors who said Palmer Park already is congested.
The council next followed a recommendation by the city's leisure services committee and tentatively approved a site in Monterey Park. But some council members worried about flooding, young students at a nearby elementary school and goose droppings.
A snag common to choosing any site was the expense of building a bathroom. The city typically budgets about $250,000 to build a restroom.
It is a problem at the Jackson Street site, too. An aging restroom there isn't handicap accessible.
Levitt said Thursday that skaters could use bathrooms at the nearby Dawson Field facility, or the city could install a portable bathroom during skating season.
Levitt said he hopes a scaled-back plan would make it easier to get the skatepark off the ground.
He hopes the remaining $30,000 could be raised by spring with the park opening shortly after.
ON THE AGENDA
The Janesville City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St. Council members will meet at 6 p.m. for an informal listening session with residents.
A decision on the 2012 sidewalk program, which had been delayed until this meeting because only six council members were present Sept. 26, will be delayed again because all seven members are not scheduled to be at Monday's meeting.
Items on the agenda include:
-- Discussion and action on a proposed ordinance to prohibit any person—except law enforcement officers—from carrying firearms in any city building or structure marked with signs indicating firearms are prohibited. The ordinance does not specify which city buildings those might be. Staff would make those decisions, Tim Wellnitz, assistant city attorney, said. A council memo specifically mentions City Hall and the Hedberg Public Library as being put off limits to firearms.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance already has been held, but people who want to speak can do so by signing up at the beginning of the meeting.
-- Action to fill open positions on the board of review. The board of review, which convenes so people can protest their assessments, has been meeting since Sept. 15. According to a memo, the clerk's office must schedule between 100 to 130 hours of board of review hearings before the end of October so the city can create the tax roll. Residential objections are scheduled for 45 minutes each, and commercial objections take an hour. The board comprises five voting members and three alternates. Two members, Don Allison and Gary Wright, recently resigned, and another member is having problems attending.
City Clerk Jean Wulf has asked two former board members to serve because the city has no time to advertise for other applicants.
Craig Gramke has offered to serve as a voting member of the board, and Jim Tibbetts has offered to serve as an alternate.
-- OK borrowing $11.9 million for capital projects. Of the $11.9 million, about $5.9 is general fund debt. Of this amount, more than half is for projects the council already has committed itself to fund.
The borrowing would pay for such items as street, sewer and other infrastructure construction, maintenance and repair; landfill construction; and building and maintaining public grounds and buildings. The borrowing includes $500,000 for a new fire station, which should be enough money to buy a site, Assistant City Manager Jay Winzenz said.
Oct 8, 2011 at 9:30 p.m.
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The best decision I ever made, was to move from WI.
Good luck everyone!
Oct 8, 2011 at 6:12 p.m.
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"$11.9 million for capital projects. Of the $11.9 million, about $5.9 is general fund debt."
Borrowing 12 million to pay 6 million. Makes total sense to me.
Oct 8, 2011 at 3:33 p.m.
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What about a motorized bicycle lane on the bike trail for handicapped people that still want to enjoy bicycling? That's not on the agenda?
Oct 8, 2011 at 10:14 a.m.
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Marge123-there you have it :))
Oct 8, 2011 at 9:43 a.m.
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browntown- you too- anything to actually add to the article????!?!!!
Oct 8, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.
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"REYREAL
Oct 8, 2011 at 1:20 a.m.
Suggest removal OMG,wow really? why not let the kids have something to do and keep themselves out of trouble. Would you ignorant people rather see them out robbing, gang bangin and selling drugs?!?
exaclty- instead of out stealing my pumpkin- punks! and robbing cars that are open.
Oct 8, 2011 at 9:39 a.m.
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"marge123
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:17 p.m.
Suggest removal frogger-hannah- whatever--could you please post your views coherently-thanks"
hag-So do you actually have something to say about thhis or just pick on others who have an opnion??
Who is hannah??
Oct 8, 2011 at 9:04 a.m.
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I would think a skating rink would get a lot more use than a skateboard park. Then organizations could hold events, birthday parties, family outings etc. Any time I go past the skate boarding facility behind the old Walmart there are only a handful of kids using it. It's not like Janesville's sidewalks are full of skateboarders. Then who will "police" the facility? With the "drug problem" Janesville has I would think this would be another place for them to do business.
Oct 8, 2011 at 9 a.m.
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Marge123-unfortunately, I don't think there is a remote possibility of that happening :(
Oct 8, 2011 at 8:31 a.m.
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For all of you that is bitching and complaining, did your folks and grandparents say you was not worth spending any money on to build recreational activities for kids. No and you got ball parks, skating rinks, and the list goes on. So now that you are an adult, you only think about yourself and your pocketbook. Your folks should have said the same thing and not given you the oportunity to have any recreational activities in your life. Well that is how these kids who skate board feel when you bash them and there skate park.
Oct 8, 2011 at 3:26 a.m.
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Bottom line, when I hear how the country is broke, the state is broke, the county is broke and the city is broke, no, people, it isn't my job to fund a juvenile playground. If you want a place for your kids to skate, listen carefully...BUILD IT AND PAY FOR IT YOURSELVES!!!!!!
Oct 7, 2011 at 11:19 p.m.
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This is a rediculous idea since we are in an economic crisis. Put it off for a while until whoever wants it can pay for it and not have the city barrow the money. Quit the borrow and spend attitude. We have to change to see change.
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:17 p.m.
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I don't see any ping-pong table parks going up, do you?
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:17 p.m.
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frogger-hannah- whatever--could you please post your views coherently-thanks
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:07 p.m.
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For the past several years kids in Janesville have been talking about and asking for a skate park. They should have a skate park the same as adults should have their golf courses, ball parks, tennis courts, parking spots, bike trails, walking paths and many other things that cost money. Kids who enjoy using their skateboards are often kids who do not fit in to team sports, but they are people too. I am happy that this first step has been taken. I don't live in Janesville but I have watched kids enjoy skate parks in many cities and it looks like a great sport.
Oct 7, 2011 at 7:51 p.m.
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Biggest waste of money in the WORST possible location.
Oct 7, 2011 at 7:25 p.m.
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frogger: http://jacksonstreetbridge.wordpress.com... I keep it updated as we receive the info.
Oct 7, 2011 at 5:54 p.m.
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I won't ever live in Janesville again. It's a suburb without a city. And it's cancerous.
Oct 7, 2011 at 5:26 p.m.
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I sense another white elephant coming to Janesville. The expenses are just beginning.
Oct 7, 2011 at 5:22 p.m.
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I think if it makes that dunpy area look better then go for it. did they fix Jacson bridge yet- that would help too. Lets not make it look like JVL is falling apart- you think!!
Oct 7, 2011 at 5 p.m.
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This is good. Better than spending it on "studies" for things we DON'T need. Something for the kids to do. Who isn't okay with this. They raised half and it isn't like they are asking for MILLIONS! I am fine to contribute to this but spending this kind of money to make roads go to way for NO reason I am not okay with or a tunnel because people wont wait for traffic to stop or wait until there isn't traffic to cross.
I saw a guy on his bike just shot threw there the other day, NOT stop to push button.
WHY are there street sweepers out when leaves are falling??? That is a waste if you aks me!!
Guy said to get the leaves out of the gutters so they don't freeze in there.Fine wait for them to fall a bit first.
So you pick them off the street now and then we put them in the street, then you sweep them up again and then street sweep again.
Oct 7, 2011 at 4:59 p.m.
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It is unbelievable that the city would consider borrowing such money in times like this. It is unbelievable that the city would even consider building a skate park with the economy such that it is. It is just plain unbelievable and despicable that the city is even considering this. I thought the city had problems financially just like the nation does. How can the city afford this when we can't even afford to keep our teachers employed? I'm afraid the city is going to raise taxes to all time highs. This has to stop now.
Oct 7, 2011 at 4:53 p.m.
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Now we have to comment all over. I'll paste mine.
Oct 7, 2011 at 4:40 p.m.
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Seriously? It is hard to beleive that in our present economic conditions that the city is planning to build a skate park, what gives?
And, they are borrowing $$$ to pay for it, which puts the city further into debt. Later, this will cost further funds to operate and maintain.
The city should weigh this project carefully on the scale of wants-vs-needs, and consider how this money could be better spent - or not borrowed at all.
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