Great River Landing construction could begin by May

Onalaska will advertise
bids over next few weeks

Within three months, crews could begin building a recreational area in Onalaska called the Great River Landing.

Room tax money will fund most of the $2.4 million project between the Black River and Highway 35.

Though prep work for new development along the river has extended over several years, actual construction could be finished in a relatively short time.

Jarrod Holter, the Onalaska city engineer, says a trailhead building could be the most visible element of the project.

The city will advertise for bids in the next few weeks, with contracts likely to be awarded in April.

“We would anticipate that if the council would approve a bid … we would hope to be started in May on the project,” Holter said. “We did not actually take a , but proceeding with the timeline that was already authorized for that project and gave the council an update on where we’re at with the plan.”

The project will include biking and hiking trails along the Black River, a trailhead building, parking lot and plaza along a realigned Great River State Trail. Check out site renderings here.