City staff shared plans for the possible purchase on Thursday for the clean up and development of the former General Motors manufacturing facility that has been left empty for years on Janesville’s south side.
JANESVILLE — Data center developers are eyeing the former General Motors and JATCO sites on Janesville’s southside, a city official says.
The city of Janesville unveiled its latest plans for the former General Motors and JATCO sites Wednesday, signaling a pivotal step as city administration seeks city council approval next Monday, July 14, to request proposals from developers.
City staff shared plans for the possible purchase on Thursday for the clean up and development of the former General Motors manufacturing facility that has been left empty for years on Janesville’s south side.
Anthony Wahl
Amanda Gilbert, the city’s communications specialist, said “a couple different developers” have shown interest in the location, specifically those looking to locate a data center in Janesville.
Monday’s city council meeting is at 6 p.m. at Janesville City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St.
In a release Wednesday, the city said as it considers whether this kind of development is a “good fit” for Janesville and for the site specifically, it will consider factors including whether it would create family-sustaining jobs, increase the local tax base, address environmental considerations at the site, and attract long-term private investment.
City officials said the purpose of issuing a request for proposal is to gauge interest, gather information, and determine if a data center might align with community goals for the site’s long-term redevelopment.
Gilbert noted that issuing an RFP does not mean the city is committed to building a data center. Rather, the aim is to see if it’s a good idea and to find potential partners, according to Gilbert.
“It’s a preliminary step to gather information and assess interest, not a final decision,” Gilbert said. “It will help get the ball rolling.”
Wednesday’s announcement comes 17 months after the city, in February 2024, approved a condemnation relocation order that was its first step in a legal process to acquire the GM and JATCO sites and several other small surrounding properties through eminent domain.
Prior to that, the city had been trying to negotiate a sale price with Commercial Development Company, which bought the GM and JATCO parcels from GM in 2018.
However, a significant gap remained between the city’s offer and Commercial Development Company asking price, leading the city to initiate the condemnation process.
The city council approved a $3.85 million offer to buy the former GM and JATCO sites and 3 adjacent properties, funded by a TIF district, in April of this year from Commercial Development Company.
The city previously secured purchase deals for two other properties: a garage at 1212 S. Jackson St. for $138,000 (closed in February) and the former Zoxx 411 Club at 411 W. State St. for $280,000 (set to close Aug.1), for a total of 7 properties that are part of the overall redevelopment plan.
“This project is going to take some time, as we’ve seen since the start and finish of the acquisition,” Gilbert said.
She emphasized that the city will not make a move that “isn’t good for the city and community as a whole.”
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