Jefferson officials anticipate city's addition of new northern gateway

By Steve Sharp of the Daily Times staff
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:20 PM CDT

JEFFERSON - Jefferson officials are expressing enthusiasm over the potential for commercial and residential development of land that lies to the north of the city, near what will be a key interchange on the state Highway 26 bypass at Junction Road.

City officials are viewing the area as having great potential as a new gateway to the city on its north end and aldermen accomplished work at Tuesday's meeting of the common council that will aid in bringing the land into the city.

The city's common council on Tuesday evening accepted a petition for annexation of this 100 acres of land known as the “Bielke Property” and heard a first reading of an ordinance to annex the territory.

Motorists may be familiar with the land as surrounding the Capn's Corner bar and grill, which will be razed by November of this year to make room for Wisconsin Department of Transportation work on bridge approaches at the expanded highway interchange.

According to city officials, the owner of Capn's Corner, Randy Schopen, is hoping to have a new version of his popular establishment placed on the east side of the highway by the fall or winter so the flow of his business is not impeded. In response, the city is doing its best to work quickly and efficiently with all entities concerned in the process to make sure the Capn's Corner operation is able to make the transition to its new location smoothly. They are also intent on making sure the city is able to make what officials think will be an advantageous move to the north into what some have termed “a critical piece of real estate.”

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Also Tuesday, the council approved a resolution that authorizes City Administrator Tim Freitag to retain the services of Town and Country Engineering, Inc. for the purpose of completing design engineering for the extension of sanitary sewer service to the proposed Highway 26 bypass/north interchange area in the amount of $42,500.

The council then approved a name change for Oakridge Park. According to information provided by the city, the Jefferson Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department received a request from the Jefferson Lions Club to rename Oakridge Park. The Lions are requesting that the city change the name to Lions Oakridge Park.

“The park was dedicated to the city of Jefferson is 1921,” according to Freitag. “We did have Alderman Toby Tully Jr. look to see if there were any restrictions on the deed. He stated that there were no restrictions. The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission unanimously approved changing the name at its April meeting.”

The Jefferson Lions Club has adopted this park and over the years has helped to maintain a walking trail, purchased benches and the current sign. They recently purchased fitness equipment to be installed this summer for $8,895. City leaders hope the name change will encourage the Lions to continue their support of the park.

Council members approved the hiring of a station manager for the PEG channel and also ratified the attached budget amendments.

The person serving in that position is anticipated to work eight to 10 hours per week with a maximum of 400 total hours in 2008. The pay range for such a position will be $8 to $12 per hour. The position will not be eligible for benefits.

The council also approved authorizing Freitag to retain the services of Town and Country Engineering, Inc. for the purpose of surveying storm water and wastewater utility infrastructure and integrating this data into a geographic information system (GIS) database at a cost not to exceed $27,600.

The meeting closed with aldermen authorizing city officials to apply for a Wisconsin Waterfront Planning Grant of $25,000. The city will contribute up to $10,000 as its share for the project, which will allow Jefferson to plan for a river walk on both sides of the Rock River from Puerner Street to Riverview Drive.

This grant will allow the city to provide a detailed plan for the river walk from Racine Street to the edge of city property on both sides of the Rock River. This application will also account for an arts interpretation area.