By Kylie Balk Yaatenen - August 29th 2024
JANESVILLE
The city of Janesville is considering rezoning a vacant riverfront site to extend a riverwalk corridor south from Traxler Park toward downtown.
The plans would rezone the vacant 1.7-acre site at 533 N. Main St. from light industrial to conservancy to use it as green space.
The site is within a designated 100-year floodplain north of Avon St. along the Rock River.
A business, Country Furniture By Schuler’s, once sat on site. It flooded in 2008 when the Rock River overran its banks. The building and associated pavement, both of which were in poor condition, were removed by the previous owner of the property earlier this year.
City officials say extending the riverwalk southward from Traxler Park is a key priority that’s part of its ARISE downtown riverfront revitalization strategy
“It is a grassy area and has been a goal in the strategic area for decades,” City Parks Director Cullen Slapak said. The aim has been to “remove old, damaged areas around the city and create more green space,” and to “ensure the Rock River remains accessible for the community to enjoy.”
He said because the site is in a flood zone, no permanent structures can be put there, so green space is ideal.
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