Business
Future uses for old La Crosse library, Grandview building, possibly for housing, up for debate by city council
Housing needs in the community are on the agenda for the La Crosse city council at its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Council members are being asked to vote on the possible sale of the old South Branch library on 16th Street to be converted into apartments.
Another plan on the agenda is to to develop more housing from the Grandview building near UW-La Crosse. At least 40 apartments have been proposed for the Main Street property.
The Grandview was built as a hospital about a century ago. For many years, there has been a restriction to prevent the building from being zoned residential.
As for the library, the proposal would allow renovations inside the historic building, which closed more than a year ago.
A purchase offer of $151,000 has been made. Six apartments could go in the building with more possibly built on that block.
Also on the agenda is a resolution asking state and federal leaders to provide funding and government support to communities that want to offer shelter to homeless people. A similar request was made in Eau Claire.
nick
January 9, 2025 at 6:31 am
A resolution for homeless funding from the federal government. Why not, they wasted enough local money. They should ask and receive federal money so they can waste that as well.
Dylan
January 9, 2025 at 8:43 am
The La Crosse area needs more housing overall, it’s virtually impossible to live on your own as a young adult without tons of roommates.
The homeless problem is just a money pit… Is it honestly even a solvable problem…
walden
January 9, 2025 at 12:32 pm
Strange article. Its almost like WIZM doesnt want us to know whats planned publishing an article with no information content. The neighborhood around that library is pretty stable. Dropping some undisclosed number of potentially subsidized Soviet style apartment buildings on that block will change that neighborhood forever and also a park and green space may be lost. I have yet to see an explanation of how high density housing improves the community overall.
If you own a car and can’t afford housing look to the outlying communities for less expensive options and better schools. This is not a new phenomenon.