Development deal on La Crosse Plow building not yet a certainty

Financing on project still pending.

A few more pieces to fall into place before a big new development of an old building in downtown La Crosse can get underway.  

The city council last week voted to accept a $500,000 state grant to push forward development of the La Crosse Plow building south of the Oktoberfest grounds.  

The city and owners of the building still have to work out a tax incremental financing deal.  

But it’s a relief to be this far, said Mayor Tim Kabat.

“In some ways,” said Kabat, “it’s been long overdue.  I think everybody is looking forward to this moving on.”

Kabat’s still crossing his fingers but he said, “to be able to partner with the state, to move that forward is really significant.”  

The tax incremental financing would come as the city is moving to retire two downtown tax incremental financing districts in the next year.

Goal for completion of the $33 million La Crosse Plow development is December 2018.  

The building, which had been partially condemned in the past, was placed on the National Historic Register last year.  

According to the National Park Service, the building was originally built in 1914 to house the La Crosse Plow Company.  Allis Chalmers bought the company in 1929 and expanding the building in 1938.