Muskego Grant/Loan Program Not Likely to Include Institutions

A request by to the city for either a loan or grant dollars through its commercial program was debated Tuesday night at City Hall by the Community Development Authority.

The program's purpose is "to spur commercial development," said Rob Glazier, member of the board, which posed a problem for him and others in granting the request.

The only other church located along Janesville Road is St. Paul's Lutheran, but under the category of 'institutions,' are places like the library, schools and the fire department. The group was concerned over the precedent that loaning or granting money for improvements would create.

"My only concern is that they don't pay taxes," said Alderman Dan Soltysiak. "The other businesses pay back into the program, and places like this aren't doing so."

Bethel is interested in enhancing landscaping, extending their parking lot and creating better traffic flow into and out of the lot. In addition, they indicated constructing a new monument sign.  While they meet criteria of having frontage along Janesville Road (they occupy 400 feet), the group asked Jeff Muenkel, who had introduced the request, to look into the wording of the program's requirements more carefully, and perhaps find other options for the church. They will likely make a decision at their next meeting on January 17.