The Janesville GM site - Indoor water park or Love Canal?
Efforts to convince general Motors to reconsider its wrong-headed decision to close the Janesville assembly plant should be supported and encouraged. Efforts to figure out what to do with the site when the plant is closed should also be encouraged.
How do local units of government replaced the lost income from real property and personal property taxes? Rock County Treasurer Vicki Brown reports that GM paid $853,074.18 in real and personal property taxes for tax year 2007.
Should Janesville look for a deal similar to the Chrysler-Kenosha deal in which the manufacturer set up a fund based on annual profits? That fund was used in a variety of ways including assistance to former employees.
What is the status of the site in terms of environmental impacts?
If the site is cleared, can new development take place based on the site's status? For example, is the site in a flood plain or other zone that would restrict development?
The GM site has the potential to be an asset to the area without the assembly plant, but a realistic approach is necessary to determine what problems exist in developing the site.
Steve Alfelbaum of Applied Ecological Systems in Brodhead has some interesting comments on the topic during my show Monday. To hear Steve's comments visit our audio page and click on the Stan Milam Show Podcasts.
Jun 19, 2008 at 6:58 p.m.
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Yes, I agree to in indoor/outdoor waterpark. With gas prices soaring, we could use one here in Janesville so we don't have to travel to Wisconsin Dells or Gurnee, IL. It will also create jobs.
Jun 9, 2008 at 6 p.m.
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Yeah! We could use some fun with all this depressing news. I heard GM plans on closing this plant in 5 months.
Jun 9, 2008 at 2:55 p.m.
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I could see a resort/indoor water park go in the GM plant. Imagine the size of that winding slide! Lazy river along the assembly line! Unlimited inner tubes to float in!
Of course, all current/former GM employees and their families should get lifetime free admission... :-)
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