Demolition underway for roundabout costing $1.6 million

Another $1 million in improvements
planned for area for 2017

Buildings in the way of La Crosse’s first roundabout are coming down.

Demolition is beginning this week on six buildings that are in the way of the DOT’s planned roundabout on Cass Street near Seventh Street.

Wrecking crews are starting their work with a former dry cleaner on Cass. Four rental duplexes will also get torn down, as well as the building on Cass that formerly housed the Lunch Encounter.

The city purchased the buildings for about $900,000 and demolition for all six was approved back in May.

The DOT plans to begin construction of a $700,000 roundabout and about $1 million of other improvements for that area on Cass Street in 2017.

The roundabout has long been planned by the DOT as a way to alleviate vehicle and pedestrian accidents at the dog leg Cass-and-Seventh intersection.