Committee recommends developer for Lot C

Committee chooses Weber Holdings of La Crosse to redevelop Lot C

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — A prime piece of land in downtown La Crosse, known as Lot C, is one step closer to getting a makeover.

The property is known as Lot C, which is located right across from the county courthouse.

Deciding the future of Lot C started with three proposals from three separate development companies: Doran Companies in Minnesota, Weber Holdings in La Crosse and a team made up of Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions, Borton Construction and developer Mike Keil in La Crosse.

All three of the proposals had parking, housing, a new building for Associated Bank and green space. However, only one stood out among the rest.

“There were just a couple of points that committee members made that moved the Weber proposal a little higher,” said Brian Fukuda, the community development specialist with La Crosse County.

After plenty of research and considering recommendations from the Lot C advisory committee, here is what set Weber’s proposal above the rest.

“There will be a housing component with all market rate housing, there will be a mix of units from studios to three bedrooms,” said Fukuda.

“It includes nice pedestrian areas that could incorporate outdoor meals and seating,” said Joe Veenstra, chair of the La Crosse County Administrative Center and Downtown Campus Study Committee.

The proposal also includes an office space that would bring significant job growth to the area.

“They’ve estimated upwards of 500 new jobs that would potentially be located on this facility,” said Fukuda.

Not only will the new facility blend in with the rest of historic downtown La Crosse, but it also includes new sustainability features.

“They’ve worked in a considerable amount of infiltration of storm water, the cisterns that you see up here would store storm water and be used to water the green roof,” said Fukuda.

Although it was a tough decision, committee members say Weber Holdings just seemed like the right fit for the community.

A La Crosse County Board executive committee will consider the recommendation Aug. 6.

There will also be a public meeting on Aug. 19 to gather input from stakeholders to make sure the county is moving in the right direction