Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in La Crosse public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in parks rec with medium priority
Copeland Park shelter and bathroom project progress
Good news at Copeland Park: the downsized open-air shelter is finished and the old bathroom building is demolished. Crews are waiting on Bright Speed to relocate a fiber line before digging the new bathroom foundations.
Sidewalk Policy for Downtown Tree Cells
The new policy lets engineers narrow sidewalks from six feet to four feet right around a tree cell opening, so trees planted in downtown pavement have a better shot at surviving. It doesn't decide where trees go — that's a separate conversation — but the mayor questioned whether pricey downtown trees in restrictive cells are worth replacing at all.
Civic Center Park construction and funding
The park's renovation bid came in over the original $450,000 TID #11 budget, so the council added TID #17 money and awarded Fowler & Hammer a $766,662 contract to keep the project on track for a 2027 build.
Reduced hours at Goose Green Park
The board voted to limit Goose Green Park hours to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. It passed 6-1, so most members saw a need for the change, but it wasn't unanimous.
Green Island Ice Arena repairs
The dehumidification system at Green Island Ice Arena is getting repaired at the request of River City Youth Hockey, keeping the rink usable.
Grand Crossing Trail reconstruction
A $647,386 contract will fortify the trail's flood-prone low point as a spillway and repave it from East Avenue to St. James Street, mostly funded by a federal TAP grant, with periodic detours via the Cottonwood Trail.