Onalaska alderman says apartment complex fits the future of city’s development plan

There is a lot of talk around the vision for Onalaska when it comes to development.

This week, the council approved a 98-unit apartment complex to be built on Court Street.

Citizens opposed the plan before the vote, saying they were concerned with eliminating recreational spots, as well as traffic and parking issues.

Alderman Jerry Every said changes are coming and not just to housing projects.

“I think you can see the big box stores and the big shopping centers starting to slow down and fold down,” Every said. “And, I think it’s going to go back to these small shopping centers and downtown areas, and we need to enhance that.”

Every says people are not buying houses at the rate they once did, and the city needs to have spaces available for those who want to rent.

The Onalaska city council passed the first step of the plan for Three-Sixty Real Estate Solutions to build its massive, $16-million project near the Great River Landing.

Every says perhaps there should be more of that.

“My vision is that whole corridor, from Onalaska to Holmen, should be developed and it should be developed with a mixed use like that, and a lot of recreation included,” he said. “We need hotel space up there and motel space.”