Former fish lab could become wedding reception hall

Since the La Crosse convention bureau moved out of Riverside Park, the city has been looking at other uses for the former Fish Lab building along the La Crosse River. 

One possible use is a plan for a wedding reception hall and bed-and-breakfast, with some apartments on the 2nd floor. 

The city plan commission has okayed a zoning change for the building to allow for commercial use. 

Park director Jay Odegaard says the project could involve about half-a-million dollars in private investments.

“The city really made a choice that this fish hatchery building was something…that we wanted to keep and maintain, and not only maintain it but maintain it to the historic value that that building is,” said Odegaard.    

Three commissioners voted against the zoning change, including Scott Neumeister, who said “I’m not sure putting an apartment or whatever you want to call it on the top floor of that is the best use of that building.”

Another commission, Elaine Yager, liked the wedding hall idea, but is concerned about competition for the remodeled La Crosse Center.    

The zoning plan now goes to city council committees.