Questions remain as rebuilt La Crosse harbor nears completion

It’s closer to completion, but there are still a few details to work out before boating season begins at La Crosse’s refurbished municipal boat harbor.

The docks are on the ice and slips have been assigned to boaters. There are, however, a number of issues that still need hammering out, according to those who rent slips at the harbor.

The city’s park board meets tonight to consider the latest: fees for pump out and transient slips, along with policies for dry storage. It’s still not clear if there will be a gas dock or a store at the harbor for the 200-plus boats that will float there.

The meeting takes place while the city is working to clear out all those old boats and trailers that have been left there without payment, or have otherwise been abandoned.

Owners have been given until the end of the month to move those boats out. One longtime owner told WIZM that many of those boats aren’t seaworthy and will never see the water again.

Boat owners who have paid can stay on the shore until the harbor opens this spring.

It’s also not clear whether an agreement will be worked out for a marina shop to remain there, which is a big priority for those with larger boats.

One longtime tenant told WIZM, it’s hard to a have the full service marina the city wants without having all of the services.