By Steve Sharp
steves@wdtimes.com
JEFFERSON -- In a move that could eventually provide a more solid link between Watertown's boating community and the city of Jefferson on the Rock River -- as well as shore up the north end of development in Jefferson's downtown redevelopment project -- the Jefferson County board and Jefferson council strengthened a partnership Tuesday at separate meetings.
Since the county tore down its former highway shop at the southwest intersection of Business Highway 26 and Puerner Street, the 19-acre site has been bulldozed, remediated environmentally and prepared for the future. This a large lot of vacant, former urban industrial land along the Rock River's east shore. The city and county want to see this zone converted to a park and green space with a nicely presented boat landing. The 5.7-acre park and green space, if created, would lie along the river with a street installed running north-south to separate the park from adjacent residential/commercial property that could be added.
According to Jefferson Mayor Dale Oppermann, grants exist to do this project -- three from the state and one from the federal government -- but they must be applied for in the next few months. Hence both the county and city addressed their related matters at their separate Tuesday evening sessions. Both were regular sessions for the county board and Jefferson Common Council.
Jefferson County is the owner of the site, which is located within the municipal boundaries of the city of Jefferson. The site was utilized by Jefferson County since 1937 as the Jefferson County Highway Shop.
According to the county and its resolution to strengthen the county/city partnership, "The city of Jefferson has identified this site as a priority for redevelopment ... This resolution authorizes the county to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Jefferson for the development of 5.7 acres of the former highway shop property to create a joint county-city park. The parks committee was informed of this proposed intergovernmental agreement and approved submitting an application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for grant funding for this project at its April 9 meeting."
The land to be converted into parkland has limited development potential because it lies in the 100- and 500-year floodplains. The county believes a joint county-city park will provide easy access to the National Rock River Trail, "as well as access to multiple other bike trails which is essential to promoting outdoor public recreation, tourism and to enhancing the quality of life for the county and city."
"A joint county-city park will be mutually beneficial to both parties to include the ability to submit joint applications for grant programs, more amenities to serve constituents and increased development opportunities for county property within the city," the county resolution stated. It adds that intergovernmental cooperation is designated as an objective in the Jefferson County Strategic Plan. The county board approved the resolution unanimously.
According to Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier, plans for the park will be dynamic, somewhat based on the amount of grant funding received.
Steve Nass of the county board reminded his colleagues a master plan must also be created before any work on the park can be done. A timeline for its development at this point is sketchy.
Also Tuesday, the board conducted its elections and appointments. Jim Schroeder was again elected to serve as board chairman.
In other business, the board:
-- Recognized Sharon Ehrhardt for a receipt of the Christy Dixon Recycle of the Year Award.
-- Approved highway department bids for asphalt seal-coat oil, pulverizing and milling, lime rock crushing and local road improvement program asphalt bids.
-- Approved parks committee resolutions related to trails in the county.
-- Approved all zoning resolutions.
-- Saw Russ Cooper and Jefferson Police Chief Ken Pileggi appointed to fill at-large positions on the county's traffic safety commission.