Former Naval Reserve site in La Crosse fulfills promise of new housing on south side

More than a decade after La Crosse’s old Naval Reserve Center on Green Bay Street was torn down, the city is celebrated a new housing development on that site.

Ten so-called “pocket homes” were built on the property. La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds helped developer Delores Spies mark the achievement on Wednesday.

“Hats off to Delores and her team,” Reynolds said at a ceremony. “Way ahead of schedule. How many projects are like this? Where you’re so far ahead of schedule, that we didn’t even know you’d be done this early. It’s amazing.”

The Navy moved out of the reserve center in 2006. That building was demolished a short time later.

Spies credited her crew, meaning her husband and sons, for developing the houses at the site.

“I’m proud to put our name on the project,” she said. “It turned out very nice, it turned out just like I expected. I didn’t want it to be a cookie cutter. I wanted all different roof lines, different colors, worked with some great homeowners.”

Spies was recognized by city leaders for encouraging new housing on property that had not been used as residential.