Plans for a prosperous downtown in Janesville may include more multi-family housing. Economic Development Director Gale Price says a vibrant downtown is created by having “heads in beds”, with people living and staying overnight. Price says the city really wants to promote that lifestyle aspect from both a downtown perspective and a market perspective. He says city staff are very aware of the current national market shifts and how much people want to live in an urban environment. In recent years the city has used Tax Incremental Financing to support suburban multi-family developments, but now might be time for a modification in economic policy. The city council Monday will consider a change to support more rental development downtown.
