Roosevelt Elementary getting closer to conversion

District sold school in the
midst of needing more classroom space

What’s been called a ‘gem’ of a development on the north side of La Crosse is getting a little closer to getting started.

Today, a city design review committee looks at plans for the old Roosevelt Elementary School that will be turned into housing by Madison-based Gorman and Company.

The deal for the building, more than two years in the making, made a final lurch forward this spring when the city council approved a special loan for the project worth about $3,000. It’s also using tax credits from the state and block grants to complete the project of over 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments – housing with income requirements in place.

The project is expected to be worth well over a million dollars once it is finished. Gorman intends to keep much of the exterior of the 92 year-old building intact.

The school district sold the 92-year-old school as part of the process of opening the new North Side Elementary, but has since determined that it needs more elementary classroom space.