$200k in funding for new marsh study part of Thursday’s monthly city council meeting

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is not satisfied with La Crosse’s current efforts to take lead deposits out of the marsh at Myrick Park, so it’s calling on the city to do another study of the problem.

Thursday, the La Crosse City Council could vote on spending $200,000 for new research into the problem, although some council members have questioned the need for performing another study.

The most recent study of the marsh was about a decade ago. Lead pellets got into the marsh because of years of trap shooting done near the water at Myrick.

The DNR said La Crosse needs to develop a more aggressive plan for getting the lead out of the marsh bottom.

In other business on the February council agenda, bids on the rehabilitation of the fish lab in Riverside Park will be reviewed. The former government building is being remodeled as a party venue, with a bed and breakfast.

Also, a rezoning of the Farnam Flats apartment building on Farnam Street could be postponed until March. The building owners want to convert first-floor space that was designed for commercial businesses into new apartments, partly because businesses have shown little interest in moving into the space.

The city council meeting begins Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Southside Neighborhood Center on 6th Street South.