Economic impact study planned for La Crosse Center

If the city of La Crosse spends $42 million to improve the La Crosse Center, what kind of economic impact will it have on downtown? 

An outside study group is expected to look into that question within the next few weeks, as a final design for the civic center renovation is prepared for the city council.     

Center Board president Brent Smith said the board will spend the next month reviewing design options for a west-side addition, with the goal of having the council approve a final design during its April meetings.

The board finds itself in the position of having to approve a new building design within the next five or six weeks to keep construction plans on schedule. 

Smith said the project timetable hasn’t changed, it’s just that big decisions are coming up quickly.