Riverside bandshell gets $1.14 million; War Eagle building likely coming down

Council also approved CCA rezoning and $1.8 for boat harbor 

La Crosse’s city council approved $1.14 million to begin renovation plans for the Riverside Park bandshell and overrode a decision on a historical designation.

The 19th-century building with the War Eagle mural between the two bridges in downtown La Crosse could be torn down soon.

The council overturned a decision by the Historic Preservation Commission to keep an old meat market on 3rd Street.

That means Rahn Pischke wins his appeal of the historic designation and will likely turn it into a parking lot for his business.

Pischke argued the building that’s been vacant for years isn’t all that unique.

The presence of the riverboat mural on the building’s north wall apparently helped gather support for preserving it.