In 1962 the City of La Crosse created the Redevelopment Authority of La Crosse, for the purpose of carrying out blight elimination, slum clearance, and urban renewal programs and projects as permitted by the Blight Elimination and Slum Clearance Act. 

The focal point of the City’s revitalization efforts has been the Central Business District, as a result of developing a master plan for Downtown entitled City Vision 2020, and putting TIF Districts in place. Implementation activities include streetscaping, a decorative sign program, creation of a National Register Historic District, and building construction projects totaling $290 million in public and private investments within the last ten years.

 Imagine 2040 

In the fall of 2021, the City adopted an updated master plan for Downtown entitled Imagine 2040. The purpose of the plan was to be Visionary, Yet Realistic; Focused on People; and include Near-Term Resiliency, Long-Term Strategy. The themes of the Plan include: Market for Development

• Network of Strong Neighborhoods
• A Connected City
• Destination for All People
• Confluence of Nature

 

In the Plan, the City and Downtown Mainstreet Incorporated (DMI) identified six key Downtown redevelopment opportunities as priorities. They include the following: 

• US Post Office Site
• Core Gateway Blocks
• Redirection for surface parking lots
• Houska Village – Riverfront Development
• La Crosse River Area
• Salvation Army Block

Additional potential redevelopment opportunities were identified in the planning process Team and represent areas that may serve as further key projects and redevelopment. 

River Point District

River Point District is a 65-acre waterfront redevelopment site located directly north of the historic downtown. As a result of the creation of this District, the City projects that additional land and improvements value of approximately $160,000,000 will be created as a result of new development, redevelopment, and appreciation in the value of existing properties. This additional value will be a result of the improvements made and projects undertaken within the District.

A Master Plan for River Point District has been completed and the City/RDA is actively engaged with developers regarding an exclusive right to negotiate purchase and use of specific parcels. Infrastructure design is underway, with construction anticipated to start in 2021 with delivery to developers anticipated in 2022. First deliveries of completed developments are anticipated in 2023.

For more information on River Point District, please go to:

River Point District Project

River Point District Website

Maps

River Point District General Development Plan