About the Property

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a brownfield is a commercial or industrial property, abandoned, idle, or underutilized, where redevelopment, expansion, or reuse is complicated by environmental contamination. Brownfields can range from large former industrial sites to small unused gas stations and typically involve chemical, petroleum, or other hazardous substances that require investigation and cleanup before redevelopment can occur.

The 250-acre former General Motors Janesville Assembly Plant and its surrounding parcels qualify as a brownfield site. The plant ceased operations in 2008, and demolition was completed in 2019. In 2022, the DNR issued a closure letter accepting the remaining concrete foundations and asphalt as a protective cap over the underlying contaminated soil. With this cap in place, the DNR is no longer actively investigating the site, and the property has been granted case closure with continuing obligations.

Case closure does not indicate that contamination has been removed. Contaminants remain in the soil, and the cap is protective only for current conditions. Large areas of cracked pavement, rubble, and overgrown vegetation further complicate redevelopment efforts. Any future redevelopment requires excavation or disturbance of the cap and will trigger additional environmental review and remediation under DNR oversight.

Over the past five years, the site has been submitted to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and Site Selectors for more than ten project leads in sectors such as technology, solar energy, manufacturing, and distribution, representing potential job creation ranging from 130 to 1,700 positions. While the site is attractive due to its size, location, power capacity, and rail access, it has not advanced beyond initial review for any of these opportunities. The primary barriers continue to be the time and financial challenges associated with remediating a large brownfield site.

City of Janesville Enters into LOI with Viridian Partners

At the November 10th City Council Meeting, the City Council voted to enter into a Letter of Intent with Viridian Partners to further explore the potential development of a data center on the property.

What is a Letter of Intent (LOI)?

An LOI is used to confirm serious interest between parties before moving into any binding agreements or detailed due diligence. As a precursor to any contractual obligations, the LOI allows both parties to of information, align project goals, and establish a framework for negotiation.

It is not a contract, but rather an opportunity for the sharing of information and conversations that could lead to framing a contract.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs): FAQs on Health and Safety

Extensive research from non-industry sources indicates that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by energy transmission lines pose minimal health risks under standard exposure conditions. Below is a summary of validated findings and authoritative contacts for media inquiries.

Q: Do extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) from power lines pose a health risk?
A: According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the probability that ELF-EMFs from power lines are a genuine health hazard is small. Epidemiological evidence is weak and not supported by laboratory studies.
Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Q: Has EMF exposure been proven to increase cancer risk?
A: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that scientific studies have not clearly demonstrated that EMF exposure increases cancer risk. While the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ELF-EMFs as “possibly carcinogenic” based on limited evidence, no consistent causal relationship has been established.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Q: Can low-frequency EMFs damage DNA or cells?
A: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) explains that low-frequency EMFs are non-ionizing and do not directly damage DNA or cells. Some weak associations with childhood leukemia have been observed, but overall evidence is inconsistent. Similar associations have also been noted between childhood leukemia and proximity to agricultural activity.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Q: What is the global scientific consensus on low-level EMF exposure?
A: Reviews by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) conclude that current evidence does not establish adverse health effects from low-level EMF exposure. ELF-EMFs remain classified as “possibly carcinogenic” due to limited epidemiological findings, but animal and mechanistic studies do not support a causal link.
Sources: The World Health Organization and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

Summary: Current scientific consensus indicates that EMFs from energy transmission lines, when within international exposure limits, do not pose a confirmed health hazard. For data centers, EMF considerations focus on operational reliability and occupational safety, with mitigation strategies recommended.

Media Interviews

• Interview with Katie Myers
• WCLO's Your Talk Show Interview - November 26, 2025
• Park Place Views Featuring City Manager Kevin Lahner - December 2025
• WCLO's Your Talk Show Interview - January 7, 2026
• WCLO's Your Talk Show Interview with the Executive Director of the WI Datacenter Coalition
• WCLO's Your Talk Show Interview with City Manager Lahner and Coleman Peiffer

Place Views Featuring Economic Development Director Jimsi Kuborn - January 2026