Construction continues at the new site of the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville on South Jackson Street Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. The聽Boys & Girls Club says聽the building is on track to open in September 2026.
Construction continues at the new site of the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville on South Jackson Street Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. The聽Boys & Girls Club says聽the building is on track to open in September 2026.
JANESVILLE 鈥 The Janesville City Council on Monday will consider giving $500,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville to help cover the cost of finishing its new building on South Jackson Street, as costs have come in higher than expected.
Under a proposed agreement up for a council vote on Monday, $500,000 would be allocated from the city鈥檚 undesignated fund balance.
The council meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St.
In its request to the city for the funds, the Boys & Girls Club said its final estimated cost to complete the 35,000-square foot youth center is about $12 million, about $1 million more than its initial $11 million estimate. The organization said the increase is due to rising inflation and higher than anticipated construction expenses.
The city has already supported the project through a $750,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant, which were federal COVID-era dollars that the city has to spend by 2026. The city also donated about three acres of land at 925 S. Jackson St.
This summer, according to documents for Monday鈥檚 council meeting, the Boys & Girls Club approached the city asking for up to $500,000 more. City staff, following council direction, drafted a proposed agreement that outlines the terms and conditions for the contribution.
Under the proposed agreement, the city鈥檚 contribution would not exceed $500,000 and could be used only for final construction expenses. The funding would be distributed only after the club provides proof of at least $11.5 million in expended construction costs.
City payments would be made directly to contractors, vendors, or on a reimbursement basis at the discretion of the city manager. The city manager could impose additional restrictions or decline payment if deemed in the city鈥檚 best interest.
The agreement also requires the Boys & Girls Club to maintain detailed project accounting records and allows the city to audit related financial documents for up to one year after the facility鈥檚 completion.
The agreement requires that the new facility be open and operating by Dec. 31, 2026. The property must also be used exclusively for Boys & Girls Club purposes for at least 25 years, and any sale, transfer or encumbrance of the property would require city approval for up to 60 years.
City staff noted that the proposal represents a policy decision that鈥檚 entirely up to the discretion of the city council.
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