Politics & Government
Muskego Will Buy Empty Janesville Road Parcel
The city purchased land where a BP gas station once stood for $2,500.
The city of Muskego is hoping a land purchase at Janesville Road and Lannon Drive will spur development of what's now an empty parcel in the heart of the city's biggest commercial district.
The Muskego Common Council on Tuesday voted to acquire the land, where a BP gas station once stood, from Waukesha County for $2,500.
"This action is in support of the city's economic development goals," Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti said. "It streamlines the process by having a developer deal with only one government entity."
The council vote ends a long back-and-forth between Waukesha County and the city over the parcel. The county put the land on the market for 45 days (as required by a state law) but did not draw a bidder. After the city offered to purchase the parcel for $1, Waukesha County countered with an offer of $2,500, which covers the cost of an appraisal,
Aldermen were split on the offer earlier this month before moving forward with the proposal Tuesday.
The city will hire special legal counsel with experience in environmental contamination to assist with the land acquisition, Chiaverotti said.
She added that environmental clean-up needed on the property is believed to be minimal. Most of the contaminated soil was already cleaned up for the Janesville Road construction project, she said.
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