Editor’s note: The following news release was received from the City of Whitewater.

At the Common Council Meeting on May 2, 2023, the City of Whitewater Common Council approved multiple proposals that will bring jobs, add tax base, and generate revenue for the City of Whitewater.

The Common Council approved an Option Agreement to enter into a lease agreement with Clear Path Energy, LLC for redevelopment of the former landfill at the north end of Jefferson Street. The redevelopment and construction of a solar array will produce energy to be fed into the existing grid or channeled privately to large users including the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Unified School District, and the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. The City of Whitewater will generate a lease payment and a payment in lieu of taxes from the solar array. As an additional social benefit, the City allows for the sustainable reuse of a blighted property.

Kristen Fish-Peterson of Redevelopment Resources, who has been assisting the City and the Community Development Authority (CDA), shares, “When there is an opportunity to reenergize an unproductive property, taking it from a parcel that is simply existing and not generating any public benefit (other than the fact that it formerly served the public), it is an opportunity worth pursuing.”

The Common Council also approved a lease agreement with Cellco Partnership for tower and ground space to erect, operate, and maintain communication facilities at the Southwest Water Tower located at 797 Indian Mound Parkway, generating a revenue stream for the City of Whitewater.

An Offer to Purchase and Development Agreement submitted by Becker & Bolton, LLC was approved by the Common Council for development of a vacant parcel of land located at 501 North Prospect Drive in the Whitewater Business Park. The proposed project consists of phased construction of multiple buildings to provide leasable spaces for local business tenants for purposes of commercial/light industrial use.

John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, shares, “In addition to pursuing options to turn a non-revenue generating landfill into something that supports clean energy and reduced energy costs, our elected and appointed officials are working with staff to ensure a viable pathway for the creation of jobs within our community. The approved industrial project will add tens of thousands of available square footage for lease in addition to providing an opportunity for job creation in our community.”