Was West Avenue wide enough, 40 years ago?

The width of West Avenue was a hot topic in the fall of 1978.  The “Neighborhood Preservation Association” was against making the north-south road 16 feet wider between intersections, and 20 feet wider at signalized crossings.  The changes were proposed from King, south to Adams Street.  The city council reversed its approval of the widening plan, setting the stage for a city-wide referendum. 

La Crosse Police were cracking down on prostitution in ’78.  The city and state had been investigating massage parlor activities for over a year.  The investigation focused on Lolita’s Massage on Jay Street, Carol’s Sauna on La Crosse Street, and Ronda’s Rap on Pearl.

For 15 weeks from June to October of 1978, the musical “Grease” was the number 1 movie in America.  The only other movie that reached the top spot during that period of time was “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” starring John Belushi.  Nostalgia on the movie screens, 40 years ago, 1978, yesterday in La Crosse.