Public meeting tonight on rebuilding La Crosse boat harbor for $1.8 million

Plan would repay $1.4 million to reserve funds through slip fees 

A special meeting tonight in La Crosse’s city hall on the future of a boat harbor.

A public hearing is scheduled on a plan to spend $1.8 million to remove existing docks at the municipal boat harbor, along with current buildings and old boats.

The plan, which includes rebuilding the harbor from scratch, comes at the same time the city appears to be closing out the eviction process on the current leaseholder at the harbor, Steve Mills.

Mills has been in bankruptcy court in relation to the conflict with the city but has otherwise operated the harbor since 1977.

About $1.4 million of the amount planned for the renovation would be paid back to city reserve funds through slip fees.

The rebuilding process is to have the harbor ready for the start of the boating season next year by May 1.

Mills says he doesn’t intend on attending tonight’s hearing at city hall.