La Crosse Center waiting on Gov. Walker to approved $12 million in state funding

Over 30 architects hoping
to do the $50-million renovation

The La Crosse Center has a few people in Madison to persuade in order to get $12 million for a building remodeling project.

Center director Art Fahey says that funding has to be OKed by the legislature and the state building commission.

He says right now, however, the request is on the desk of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

“If the governor likes it, the probability is higher that it’ll move through but that’s yet to be determined and what that’s going to look like,” Fahey said.

The funding would have to go through the complete state budget cycle.

Meanwhile, the Center has received proposals from 36 architectural firms eager to do the $50-million-plus renovation and nearly half of those were in town to tour the facility.

Fahey hopes to have the city council approve an architect by December.