Mayor hopes compromises can be reached on Gundersen lot

Health clinic wants to tear down housing to add parking lot

La Crosse mayor Tim Kabat isn’t among those alarmed over Gundersen Health System’s plan to tear down some houses to add a parking lot.

In the long run, Kabat trusts that Gundersen has positives in mind for the neighborhood around its campus.

“There’s so much potential for other investments,” Kabat said. “We’re talking about that neighborhood and that the fact that there’s a food desert there.

“And how do we come up with a grocery store someday, some other mixed-use developments? I really believe that parking is a transitional use. I think there is going to be development in that area on that specific block at some point in time.”

Kabat is hoping Gundersen, the city and neighborhood activists opposing the health system’s parking lot plan can all reach an understanding or compromise before the city council votes on demolition permit for the homes. That vote is scheduled for Thursday.  

“I do think that there’s some possibilities, maybe of some compromise, between now and Thursday,” Kabat said. “Where some of the parking needs that Gundersen has identified can be met, and yet, we can still have this continued discussion about long-term development and more housing and more tax base. “

Some have urged a month delay on the decision to get more understanding of the projects associated with the additional parking.