WHEDA awards grants to La Crosse nonprofits expanding affordable housing and homeownership

Viroqua Housing Advisory Board plans next steps for tiny homes and accessory dwellings

VIROQUA Wis. – The Viroqua Housing Advisory Board is charting a new course to expand local residential options after successfully guiding its first major ordinances through the city council. Sonya Newenhouse, who serves as the chair of the newer city committee, explained during their recent July 30 meeting that...

Viroqua City Council approves deal to save VFW land from private sale, for now

July 30, 2026 VIROQUA, Wis. — The Viroqua City Council has approved a cost-sharing agreement to preserve a cherished 40-acre property owned by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, ensuring the land remains open to the public for at least two more years. The agreement, authorized during a Common Council meeting on Tuesday, July […]

Some residents at mobile home park outside La Crosse protest rent hikes imposed by new owners of park

Higher costs for rent and utilities at a La Crosse area mobile home park have led to a protest by some residents at that park. At the Brookview Mobile Home Court, some renters organized their own cookout on Tuesday, to send a message to new out-of-state owners of the property who put on their own pizza party nearby. Speaking for the objectors, Stephanie Mikkelson said the new ownership of Brookview has imposed new rules, flat-rate billing for service, and has nearly doubled the monthly rent for home spaces, but have not been available to talk with tenants. “They have been asked to sit down and explain their flat-rate billing,” says Mikkelson. “By law, that is what they need to do, and we’ve also asked them to explain why they’re raising the rent so high.” She says so far, they have gotten no answers.

Habitat for Humanity brings new approach for homeownership and building to City of Hillsboro’s Tinkers Bluff Subdivision

HILLSBORO, Wis. – Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region is looking for families that want to live in brand new homes on the west end of Vernon County in a picturesque subdivision in Hillsboro. Habitat’s Executive Director Kahya Fox said four of its 10 CrossMod homes...

Marvin Wanders on Kmart timeline, new housing, and whether La Crosse needs a city administrator

He’s worked with the city of La Crosse on many projects. A popular one right now is redeveloping the old Kmart lot. Marvin Wanders, CEO of Three-Sixty Real Estate Solutions, stopped in the WIZM studio for The Rick Solem Show to talk about his experience working with La Crosse and other municipalities in the region, and how he feels about the need for a city administrator position.

Residents voice frustrations over rising housing costs at Brookview Mobile Home Park

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Residents at Brookview Mobile Home Park staged a show of solidarity Tuesday afternoon, gathering to address mounting financial pressures that have strained their ability to afford their homes in what was supposed to be an affordable housing community.

City of La Crosse finishes affordable houses

LA CROSSE, Wis., (WLAX, WEUX) – The City of La Crosse has finished constructing it’s latest affordable home. The property, located at 2010 14th street is one of around 50 houses built through the replacement housing program. With help from Western Technical College and Central High School Students, the program creates new, affordable homes in […]

Chief Inspector Says City is Committed to Building Permit Transparency

LA CROSSE, WI — The City of La Crosse issued today a reminder to La Crosse residents that per Municipal Code Section 103-34, building permits are required for most construction, including but not limited to, interior remodels, new buildings, additions, and accessory structures. As of January 1, 2026, window/door replacements and re-siding are among the projects that require a permit city-wide.

La Crosse Replacement Housing Program completes newest home

La Crosse Replacement Housing Program completes newest home.

Plan to build apartments at Bridgeview comes before La Crosse City Council this week

A vote on the future of La Crosse’s Bridgeview Plaza could happen at the next city council meeting on Thursday night. The council’s judiciary committee and the city plan commission both voted last week on new zoning for the north-side shopping center, which opened in the 1970’s. A large portion of the indoor mall would be demolished, to make way for two multi-story apartment buildings which would contain about 200 units. The Harbor Freight store and the indoor pickleball courts would remain in place, under the design approved by those committees.

Bridgeview Plaza apartment plan could relocate North Country Steak Buffet

Plans for redeveloping La Crosse’s Bridgeview Plaza are moving forward at City Hall. This week, the City Plan Commission and the city council’s Judiciary and Administrative Committee approved rezoning the shopping center that opened in the 1970s. Most of the mall’s stores would be demolished, and replaced by...

Mixed-use apartment building opens in La Crosse's River Point District

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- War Eagle Apartments officially cut the ribbon Thursday on its 51-unit mixed-use apartment building in La Crosse's River Point District.

$66M Bridgeview Plaza redevelopment: Rezoning proposal heading to La Crosse committee

The Brief

RFP process for former north side library moves forward

The assessed value of the former north side library building is $373,000, according to the Request for Proposal document approved on Wednesday at city hall. The Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC) met to go over the details of the Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the library property at 1552 Kane Street.

Protecting what matters: One Monroe County family’s conservation journey

LA CROSSE, Wis. – It started with a spontaneous turn down a quiet country road—and a knock on a stranger’s door that would shape the future of 118 acres for generations. In 1980, Rick and Susan Case were young teachers dreaming of a little piece of heaven where they would have room to raise a family and a small herd of cattle. Although there was not a “for sale” sign, Rick randomly turned onto a road leading into a scenic valley and pulled up to the house. Susan looked at Rick with confusion, but after searching all over the area for land without luck, Rick said to just give him a minute. He knocked on the door and when the homeowner came out, he asked her if they would ever consider selling. She looked back into the house, perplexed, looked at Rick even more perplexed, and invited him in. It turns out that the lady’s husband was sitting at the table with the phone book open to the real estate section in the yellow pages. A math whiz, Susan started running numbers, they negotiated a price, bought the land and have been tending to the land with care ever since.

New La Crosse apartment building uses expandable furniture to maximize space

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- A new La Crosse apartment building is designed to make every square foot count.

Former Lincoln Middle School to become affordable housing complex

La Crosse panels reviewing old Kmart lot development plans, whick call for building”s demolition

More action is being taken by La Crosse city leaders this week on the Copper Rocks project, designed to take the place of the old Kmart on State Road. La Crosse’s Kmart closed nearly 10 years ago, and it would be demolished as part of Phase 1 of these new plans. New buildings could be completed on the site within the next two years.

City of Viroqua Q1 financial update shows boost in investment revenue and building permits, but rising utility costs

VIROQUA, Wis. -Viroqua City Administrator Nate Torres delivered what may be one of his last detailed reviews of city finances this month, telling the Finance and Personnel Committee and the City Council that the city is on solid footing about a quarter of the way through 2026 even as inflation and rising utility and fuel costs squeeze the budget.