Coronavirus
Law enforcement center promoted by mayor, police
A new law enforcement center for the city of La Crosse gets a push from city leaders.
Mayor Tim Kabat and the police and fire chiefs all spoke in favor of a new facility during a city plan commission meeting on Monday.
Contrary to the perception that the proposal is brand new, Kabat says this building has been discussed for several years already.
The suggested site for the combination police and fire building would be on the same block as Fire Station # 1, at 5th and Market.
A motion to delay work on the law enforcement center for a year failed at Monday’s meeting.
Police chief Shawn Kudron supports the building proposed for the Market Street area, saying it would be an “anchor” for the community.
The full city council will have a chance to debate the project during its July meeting next week.
The plan commission has deadlocked on the idea of building a Weigent Park shelter and bathroom next year, instead of waiting until 2022.
Council member Jessica Olson says users of the park on Cass Street would like permanent bathrooms at the park on Cass Street as soon as possible.
Olson says asking citizens to do public fund-raising for the $400,000 project is not practical right now, because of COVID-19 and the current economy.
Patricia
June 30, 2020 at 7:31 am
I think the police have to bite the bullet on a new facility until we find a clear way to negotiate through what appears to be a longer than anyone thought pandemic-(except
For the same reason-
I think the public market should be on hold too.
If you insist on restroom facilities right NOW-get some port-o-potties and take care of them!-permanent can be built after we know how we are gonna be living in corona virus times- right now the city should focus on sanitation sanitation sanitation!
Patricia
July 2, 2020 at 2:56 pm
To be clear: I believe the police force and it’s support staff has outgrown the space in a building built in the early ‘60’s . I just don’t think it’s prudent to begin plans for the new building right now- but your need should be the first considered after we get some measure of control over Covid 19.
I feel the same about the public market.
And I feel the same about permanent bathrooms at Wiesenthal Park!(it’s a neighborhood park! Go home and use your own bathroom!