Mark Freitag, City Manager

Mark started by saying there are over 600 Volunteers and 47 Civic groups like ours who help keep moving Janesville forward. He spoke today about the 3 major projects most people want to know about: The Arise Plan, GM Plant future, and the Monterey Dam.

The Arise plan charts a path for downtown revitalization and is well under way. There will be a ceremony this Friday to celebrate the first part of the West Bank Development - look for Launch the Square announcement for more details. In 2018, W Court STreet will convert to 2 way traffic, a parking lot will go in the Square area, the interactive Water feature should be completed, the Ice Age Trail connections will be completed, and River Street will become Festival Street. Milwaukee Street bridge will be replaced in 2019. Some changes will take time, but expect real improvements by 2020.

The GM Plant location is under contract to Commercial Development Company, Inc. and should be finalized in November. With 252 acres in 7 parcels, this will be an exciting redevelopment when the site is cleaned up, and Mark thinks we got the best partner for the project. The site will be cleaned by their subsidiary company Environmental Liability Transfer, Inc, who is planning to also clean the contaminated river sediment previously promised by GM. 2019 should be the year we see this area given new life- the City is receiving many inquiries from companies interested in the property.

Monterey Dam, or the Monterey Area River Restoration, expects a permit from the DNR to begin Dam removal in a few weeks. Despite the controversy surrounding the Dam, Mark hopes that a Friends Group will form as many have done throughout the City for various Parks and champion growth at Monterey going forward.

It's a great time to be In Janesville! Crime is at a 25 year low, we have award winning Schools, the 1-39/90 construction is underway, we have Jobs growth and opportunity, We received additional State Shared Revenue, real estate is a seller's market, lots of economic development, and the 3 examples above. You can reach Mark at the City of Janesville.

Today we heard from our Craig and Milton Students

Sydni Foley is on the Teen Advisory Board at JPAC, and a member of 4 Honor Societies: NHS, NSHS, MHS, AHS. She is also a member of the Octagon Club. She has been in the Varsity Show Choir for 4 years and loves Musicals. She intends to attend College and is interested in Medical, Arts or Humanities.

Franklin Breu is a Spotlighters Soloist, sings in the Acapella Choir, and is the Dance Team Captain. He also loves performing in musicals. He is President of the Chinese Club and a member of NHS. He loves the Robotics Club and noted that the team came in 10th in the WORLD last year in competition. Not certain yet what he'll study in College, Poly Sci or Teaching.

Sean Harvatine is VP of the Interact Club in Milton, President of the Future Business Leaders of America Club, President of the Student Council, and Senior Class President. Hel also performs is musicals and is on the Tennis and Swim Teams.

Erin Swope is Captain of the Forensics Team and in 2016 Milton qualified for the first time in a National event. She was elected to be a Editor on the Rostrum Paper. She is President of the French Club and a member of QUill & Scroll and NHS. She plays 3 instruments in 5 (?) Bands, including Sax in a WI Honors Band. She loves attending  UW Summer Music Clinic in MSN to be around people as passionate about music as she is. Volunteers at the Milwaukee Zoo summer day Camp and also locally, including on the Teen Advisory Board at the Library and a Docent at the Milton House. SHe plans to double major in Business and Finance.

Congratulations to all our October STudents of the Month!