Committee votes down homeless shelter again

Forget about it.  That message is being sent to Catholic Charities of La Crosse by City Hall, after public complaints about a plan to open an office for homelessness assistance on 5th Avenue. 

Catholic Charities has already withdrawn the request because of the opposition. 

But city council members are voting against the plan, to make sure it doesn’t come back quickly in another form.

“When asked what I would recommend they do, I would recommend that they forget about it,” said     Council president Martin Gaul, explaining that he had spoken with Catholic Charities since the original discussion a month ago.

Gaul says under the circumstances, the city wouldn’t approve the 5th Avenue site for a resource center anyway.    

It’s the second month in a row that the city council judiciary committee has rejected a proposal from Catholic Charities for a resource office on 5th Avenue South. 

The group already withdrew its request for a zoning change, because of opposition from people in the neighborhood. 

The idea of expanding a La Crosse fire station has gotten quick approval from a city council committee. 

On Tuesday, the judiciary committee okayed plans to demolish a house on Losey Boulevard next to Fire Station 3, located near Central High School. 

The fire house is over 50 years old, and more space for fire engines and other needs would be added on to the building. 

The plan now goes to the full city council for a vote next week.