City finally looking at developing former Mobil oil site

Committee considering initial
proposals this week

La Crosse city hall is attacking the Riverside north development earnestly this spring.

This week, the city’s economic development committee will consider the draft version of what’s known as a “Request for Expressions of Interest” (RFEI) proposal.

Basically, it’s a “what do you think” to developers in long form, says city planner Jason Gilman.

“It allows us to have dialogue with teams of developers,” Gilman said, “to evaluate whether or not they truly have the capacity to do a project like this and if they’re serious in their interest.”

And they can do that, Gilman points out, without plunking down lots of resources to actually draw up development plans for the area once known as the Mobil Oil site. 

After the RFEI, developers would move on to a RFP (request for proposal) that would be for those developers who can hack a giant mixed use development in the middle of the city that used to be the site of heavy industry. 

“My best guess on timing would be perhaps,” Gilman said, “the RFP would happen some time in 2017.”

While the committee considers proposals, Gilman says there’s still plenty of work and money that needs to be invested at the site

“We’re looking at our strategy,” Gilman said, “and how to fund this project in terms of both the phase approach, but also to leverage as much outside funding as we can.”

Gilman wants to develop the old industrial area along Copeland Avenue, first to establish, what he calls, “curb appeal.”