Janesville’s Redevelopment Plan Sparks Controversy
In a move that could transform Janesville’s landscape, the city council has taken a step towards a significant redevelopment project on the former General Motors assembly plant site. The council approved a letter of intent with Viridian Acquisitions LLC, a developer based in Colorado. This decision marks the beginning of plans to potentially establish a data center campus on the approximately 250-acre plot.
Viridian is currently assessing the feasibility of creating either an 11-building data center campus or an eight-building hyperscale campus, which would require up to 800 megawatts of power.
The city’s decision, however, was met with resistance from local residents. At a public hearing, over 20 individuals voiced their concerns about the proposed project. This reaction is not isolated; other data center initiatives across Wisconsin have also faced public opposition, as seen in similar cases.
Local resident Julie Backenkeller questioned the benefits of the data centers, stating, “If data centers are so great, then why are so many communities fighting them?” Seth Lambert, representing the Rock River chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, shared similar sentiments, urging the council to heed public concerns.
Cassandra Pope, another Janesville resident, expressed distrust towards large corporations and the city government’s ability to regulate them effectively. She cited environmental and social impacts as major concerns.
The project is projected to inject $2.05 billion into Wisconsin’s economy, according to Janesville Economic Development Director Jimsi Kuborn. While the end user remains unnamed, the brownfield site, deemed contaminated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, would undergo cleanup as part of the development.
Erik Zitek, Viridian’s development director, highlighted the project’s potential, estimating an over $8 billion investment and the creation of 1,200 construction jobs along with 600 permanent positions.
The letter of intent is non-binding, allowing further negotiations and evaluations. According to Kuborn, “It formalizes a mutual intent to negotiate in good faith and authorizes Viridian to proceed with due diligence, site planning, and utility coordination.”
Claire Gray from Forward Janesville, supported the initiative, emphasizing the need to act rather than delay. Meanwhile, Max Ryan from Ryan Incorporated Central, advocated for secure agreements with Viridian to ensure community benefits.
Ultimately, the council voted 5-2 to approve the letter, though council member Heather Miller opposed the move, citing unresolved public health concerns. The proposal adds to a list of data center projects planned across Wisconsin, including sites in Mount Pleasant, Port Washington, Beaver Dam, Dane County, and Kenosha. A recently proposed state bill seeks to introduce regulations to protect residents from potential impacts of such developments.
