Joint police-fire building idea in La Crosse is dropped

The idea of a multi-million dollar law enforcement center for La Crosse police and fire officials is off the table. 

Police Chief Shawn Kudron tells the city plan commission that the proposed $36 million building, which was being planned near Fire Station 1 at 5th and Market, would not meet the needs of either department, because police and fire have different geographical needs.

“In a footprint where we were really looking really didn’t likely look to work for both our departments.”

Kudron is focused now on improving existing police space at City Hall, including giving female officers their own secure locker room.   Some police records could be moved to the 3rd floor of City Hall, under a plan offered by Kudron.   

“We’ve been brainstorming on ways to try to find more space within City Hall and try to meet some of the needs that we have within the agency,” Kudron said.

The chief would like to remodel the 1st floor headquarters and the basement quarters of the police department.

The plan commission endorses a $1.5 million increase in police spending to help accomplish the changes. 

Fire chief Ken Gilliam also addressed the commission during its meeting on capital improvement plans, suggesting he could get work done on all the city fire stations in a year with an extra $10 million.