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Future uses for old La Crosse library, Grandview building, possibly for housing, up for debate by city council

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FILE - The south branch library in La Crosse closed in November of 2023, because of budget cuts (PHOTO: Brad Williams)

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.

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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…

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