Great River Landing project breaks ground

Plan had been in the works for a decade

After years of trying to get things started, the Great River Landing project finally did Tuesday.

Groundbreaking for the project took place along Highway 35.

“We’ve been planning and trying to get things moving for 10 years,” Onalaska city engineer Jarrod Holter said. “We finally got something to the point where we are going to build it.

Added Onalaska mayor Joe Chilsen: “Sometimes I think some of us thought it wouldn’t happen.”

Construction on some parts of the project, such as a visitor center, became stalled when there were problems obtaining funding. 

Holter says money has been secured.

“The funding for phase one is all satisfied,” Holter said. “We did receive a Wisconsin DNR stewardship grant for partial funding of the project.

“And the special projects fund from the tourism commission is going to pay for the rest of the project using room tax dollars.”

Phase one of the project came under $2.3 million. An overlook and a plaza will be major parts of the completed river landing.