A $12-million grant from state on hold until well after elections

La Crosse Center hoping for money as part of $45 million renovation

While the city will be funding most of the $45 million makeover to the La Crosse Center, the city is asking the state for a $12 million grant.

Center manager Art Fahey says the state building commission will have to OK the grant, but the commission membership could be altered greatly by the November election. Six legislators on the commission are up for re-election.

Fahey says he needs to wait and see who will serve on the commission after the election, so he knows who to lobby.

Fahey might not know whether the civic arena will get the state funding until May or later.

The Wisconsin building commission will also have to review the request before it’s included in the full budget for a vote.