La Crosse Seeks Bids for Former Policing Center Site
The city plans to sell its surplus property at 713 St. James Street for new residential redevelopment.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Residential
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The City of La Crosse has issued a request for proposals to sell its former Community Policing Center at 713 St. James Street for residential redevelopment. This surplus property, valued at $363,200, is being sold to address a budget shortfall and increase housing options on the city's north side.
Why it matters
The sale represents a shift in municipal land use, aiming to bolster the city budget while simultaneously expanding the local residential housing inventory. By repurposing the surplus center, officials seek to generate revenue while encouraging neighborhood growth.
The city has set an estimated assessed value of $363,200 for the property located at 713 St. James Street. Proposals from interested parties must be submitted to the Planning Department no later than December 31, 2026.
The players
La Crosse Common Council
The local governing body responsible for providing the final approval required for municipal property sales.
Economic and Community Development Commission
A city commission tasked with evaluating development proposals to ensure they meet local growth goals.
The details
To move forward with the sale, the city has opened a formal proposal process for the site, which was officially designated as surplus in December 2024. Interested parties must submit their development plans to the Planning Department for review. Following the submission period, the Economic and Community Development Commission will evaluate the proposals on January 27, 2027, before seeking final approval from the La Crosse Common Council.
Timeline
December 2024: The property was declared surplus.
December 31, 2026: Proposal submission deadline.
January 27, 2027: Commission scheduled to evaluate submissions.
The Home Front
The sale of the 713 St. James Street site aligns with ongoing municipal efforts to convert underutilized city-owned assets into tax-generating residential housing. This process follows the standard procedural framework for surplus property disposition in La Crosse.
Neighbors near 713 St. James Street should monitor the upcoming proposal evaluations to understand how the site will be integrated into the existing residential character of the north side. Residents interested in new housing options can track the project timeline through official city planning updates.
The takeaway
The transformation of the former Community Policing Center marks a strategic move to optimize municipal assets for residential use. Interested parties and observers should keep an eye on the January 27, 2027, commission review for updates on the project's direction.
What happens next
Interested developers must file proposals by December 31, 2026, with the Economic and Community Development Commission evaluation set for January 27, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local development updates on the La Crosse Residential section page.
More information
View full documentation and proposal requirements on the City of La Crosse municipal website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WXOW.
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