Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Janesville council approves LOI with Viridian to study former GM site; 5–2 vote launches 120‑day due diligence
Summary
The Janesville City Council voted 5–2 to approve a nonbinding letter of intent with Viridian Acquisitions LLC to pursue environmental, power and feasibility studies for redeveloping the former GM/JATCO brownfield for a potential data center; residents and business groups sharply disagreed during a lengthy public comment period.
The Janesville City Council on Monday approved a nonbinding letter of intent (file resolution 2025-2394) with Viridian Acquisitions LLC to begin up to 120 days of due diligence on redeveloping the city’s vacant former General Motors/JATCO site as a potential data center campus. The motion passed 5–2, with Councilmembers Miller and Erdmann voting no.
The LOI authorizes a formal due-diligence period during which Viridian will work with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and utilities to refine remediation plans, evaluate power availability and negotiate terms for a potential development agreement. Economic development staff described the LOI as a “letter to learn” that does not bind the city to a sale or construction.
Why it matters: The site is a roughly 240–250‑acre brownfield that has sat vacant since the plant closed; Viridian representatives told the council their team would perform full-site remediation (which they estimated at about $30 million), construct on-site infrastructure and then deliver developable pads. Viridian said the…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
