zythia13, thank you. The people who think that certain parts of town are bad probably have never been there. It is ignorance. I have lived here all my life and lived on every side of town and in the middle and I'll tell you what, the 4th ward and the westside were the best.

uh.. "dangerous" location? Really? Things happen EVERYWHERE in this town. Having lived across from the batting cages (Industrial court) for years WITH our small children, I will just let you all know that it's "pretty safe." Sorry to tell you that -- I know you have certain expectations... However, as an example, Industrial Court is one of those streets where everyone knows everyone in ALL of the houses on the street. Cups of sugar, tools, etc. are borrowed. Cookies are made and shared; cookouts transpire and the neighbor with the plow clears everyone out while the rest of us with snow blowers are out in full force going up and down the street. Tree falls over and everyone with a saw or a trailer comes down to help. Working in your garden, you wave to each neighbor as they come and go down the street. Do YOU know all of YOUR neighbors? BUT, I realize that the area is the "dreaded" side of town.. high crime, low wages and drug deals. It's okay. I get you. I understand. We moved, this summer, by virtue of a great deal on a property, back to the precious and glorified ***East Side***. Which is probably "more fitting" for me, as I was raised "upper middle class..." But I will tell you that I miss the atmosphere, the good neighbors and the community that exists in that "bad" area where everyone helps each other out seemingly more so than I see on this "good" side of town... I have lived many places in Wisconsin and no where else have I felt the remarkable PREJUDICE that takes place in Janesville regarding "which side of the tracks" someone lives on. Unbelievable.

badger1... you say "by no means would I allow my kids into that area of town period without my supervision.
I as an adult am not comfortable being down in that area".

So get over it. What's the problem?... Go WITH them!... be a "parent"!
The more parent's there "supervising"... the less problems there will be.

Or-.. do you just want somewhere to drop the "kids" off and not have to think/worry/PARENT them?
Sorry, but it sounds like the later to me.

Don't worry, if it does go through it will be shut down in less than a year...guaranteed.

How about all you people who say this is not a safe location come up with some examples of how our children were at risk or harmed while spending many hours at the batting cages at that very location.

Or is it that skaters are just more fragile?

Ah. Thanks, wtp -- I never have time to read the minutes anymore. Regardless, some people are acting like the point of the deadline is so they don't have to read about it in the newspaper anymore. In the case of the ice arena, the point of the deadline is so the city can MAKE A DECISION about what to do with the old facility, particularly since it would make such an ideal location for a fire station. But if they are still waiting for studies, they can wait a little bit longer for funding, too. With the skate park, I don't see where there is any real-world or even political-world deadline at stake.

The city manager informed the council that the 50,000 has not been put into a fund. In fact there is no 50,000 at this time so your tax money has not been taken out of the city finances for a skate park. If the skate committee can raise the 250,000 some day the city would then have to borrow to cover the 50,000. So don't get your undies in a bundle that you money is going into a skate park anytime soon.

Janesvillean, racefan and Mr. Kerman, thank you! This is going to help our kids keep busy not cause problems. I would like to know why some think houses are too close? It has a bridge on one side and a empty building on the other. Prevention, you will be getting a neighbor soon. My son is opening a tattoo shop right by the 12 step club. Actually besides bars there is a gas station, a mechanic shop, Rinehart Taxidermy and other businesses down there. Opens January 2 I think. Hopefully this skate park will give him some business. Not all skateboarders and bmx riders are kids, some adults enjoy these sports also. Nothing wrong with this area. Sure there are bars but name one place in Janesville where there isn't a bar within 5 blocks!

Of the three sites looked at, I always thought this was the best "overall" location for a Skate Park for many reasons.
This Jackson Street site is available at less overall cost, is closer to more kids, needs much less work to get started, and has easy street access for drop off, pick up, and security/safety monitoring.
Lets hope the person that stated they will pull back their donations if this site was chosen realize this is the best overall site and support it.
Lets hope the city agrees to fund no less than $40,000 to match the donated $40,000 and removes the request to hold back funding until donations hit $250,000.
Give the kids their Skate Park in 2011.
Bob Kerman

I agree kids need a place to burn off energy, but this location is going to be dangerous for kids. I agree with the comment about the drug dealers too. I have recently moved out of Janesville, thank god for that! But when I visit or if I was still there by no means would I allow my kids into that area of town period without my supervision. I as an adult am not comfortable being down in that area. Look around at some of the nice skate parks in other towns, most are in nice areas near parks, etc. Being in this location where it is already impoverished will only lead to more trouble and vandalism at this location and adjacent areas. You may think it is great but I will bet that most neighbors and businesses in the area will regret this location. It would be nice if it were a fenced area where there was supervision on hand when it is open, or even charge a small fee for use to keep out the trouble. There is enough trouble going in that area of town already.

Bad choice. If the city truely wants to move south the land along the river (adjacent to this property) is a prime location for restaurant/ lounge. It can serve the south side, monterey and the ice age trail. Just my opinion.

I'm sure all the drug dealers appreciate the city saving them a longer walk to the previously discussed locations. Now it's much more convenient for them to deal drugs at the new taxpayer funded juvenile day care center.

On a side note. If the city has $50K to put into this project, why am I reading about borrowing money for snowplowing and raising garbage collection rates? It would seem they have money for pet projects when they want it but then don't have money for essential services when they're needed. Wish I could run my household the way government runs theirs. I think I'm just going to take the money I was going to give the county for my property taxes and buy myself a new set of golf clubs. Then I'll worry about my taxes later. Maybe I'll borrow the money from my neighbor, and if he doesn't want to give it to me, I'll just take it and tell him that it's his civic duty, oh, that's right, if I do that it's a felony, if government does it, it's business as usual.

I am amazed by the people in this D--m city. The kids of today need somewhere to burn of this excess energy they seem to have. I for one support this site as a taxpayer and parent. (badger1) Who says their children will not be going there, that is your choice but how do your neighbors feel about that. I am sick and tired of the kids doing what they want in the streets and taking their time to get out of the way of vehicles trying to get by. Give a place there are no homes close enough to this location and as previously stated the batting cages were there as well. If they have this maybe just maybe there will be less vandalism to Rotary gardens and other things in this town. Get over people most of the complainers probably don't have kids either. And just want something to bi--h about. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!!

The extra time is there largely because of the testing of the Monterey Park site. The money is already set aside, so it's really no skin off our nose if they take a little longer to reach their goal, and it's likely that having certainty over location will help fundraising somewhat. I don't have a lot of confidence in them, but really, what is the harm in extending the deadline? Worst comes to worst, we stick a few thousand back into the street fund and fix one intersection's sewer. People are so touchy.

Apparently, deadlines don't really mean much to the city. Amazing.

The skate park committee still will not get their funding with the extension because they are still far short of their original deal. The city council still does not get it, stop making these deals that we cannot afford at this time, that includes the indoor ice rink. Make these groups pay for it and the upkeep on their own.

My kids will not be going to this location, it is not safe by any means.

i guess no one was reading councilman mcdonald's pleas for fiscal sanity.

With a couple of bars in close proximity, it's not the kids' safety I'm worried about...

The monterey park soil had to many issues along with the goose droppings. Wilson school has to clean there play ground daily so the kids can play on the grounds around the school. Who would clean the skate park so kids don't get hurt on goose droppings. Test holes where made and ground water is around 1 foot from the top of the ground. It would be to costly to improve the land so the park would be stable and not crack as the water rises and lowers. This is was smart move to bring it to Jackson street where the batting cage use to be. It is also more open for safety reason. Bathrooms are close by at Dawson field. This was a very smart move for the city to move it to a safer and cheaper location.

zthia, how close are the houses to the old batting cages? Having a business in that area, I don't see any homes within about 2 blocks, at least. I would think the previous site would be closer to homes. JMO.

they should put if by the beach so if they get to hot ans sweaty from skating they could jump in the pond. Also why does it cost so much for a pad and some wooden ramps like the ones in other towns? Seems a bit high for what they are selling..

I have a feeling they ok'd this so that when it comes time for the ice rink to come back up from missing their deadline that it will also get approved quickly.

Seems kinda close to people's houses.. Hope there aren't any issues -- although I suppose the batting cages weren't a problem when they were running.. Unclear as to why they changes the site? If you do any digging around there, you will be hitting water at a little less than 2 feet...