Downtown La Crosse warehouse could become new hotel

Building sits across from south side Oktoberfest grounds

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — An eye sore in La Crosse’s downtown could be torn down and the space put to new use.

The empty warehouses across the street from the south side Oktoberfest grounds would be demolished and replaced with a new 126-room Hampton Inn.

The discussion is working its way through city committees right now.

Part of the proposal includes two exceptions to city design standards that the city planning department calls minor.

No one on the committee has any objections to the change. “So this whole area, that whole corner is going to be 100% turnaround than what’s there now,” said Senior City Planner Tim Acklin.

“They certainly have not increased traffic, commerce, or the overall aesthetics of our downtown,” said city council member James Cherf.

The proposal is moving forward through this month’s city council cycle.

A construction timeline is unknown at this time.