Public sounds off on La Crosse Center expansion

Design concerns and the future of Riverside Park among criticisms of Center plan

Is the expansion plan for the La Crosse Center a bad fit for the riverfront? 

Some members of the public had that reaction to seeing designs for the center improvement project, during a public listening session on Wednesday. 

There were complaints that the proposed addition is too modern-looking for the historic river area, and that the building should not be extended into Riverside Park. 

On the other hand, city council member Gary Padesky says La Crosse needs to jump at this chance to attract more convention business away from other cities. 
 
The design plan will go back to the La Crosse park board in the next couple of months, before the city council takes a vote.
 
That council vote on the $49 million construction project could happen as soon as early summer.