Wisconsin Gov. Evers continues request for money to finish science complex at UW-La Crosse

The second half of a major construction project at UW-La Crosse remains on the wish list of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.

The proposal in the governor’s capital budget of almost $4 billion, includes $182 million for the second phase of the Prairie Springs Science Center.

Last month, State Sen. Brad Pfaff called for continued support to complete the new science facility to replace the existing Cowley Hall. Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, who was most recently the interim UW System president, has also pushed for its completion.

UW Regents already included the science center in its own capital budget last summer, along with other UW-L projects:

• Prairie Springs Science Center Completion Project-Cowley Hall Demolition, $186,919,000
• Center for the Arts Parking Ramp & Police Building Addition, $34,068,000
• Graff Main Hall and Mitchell Hall Maintenance & Repairs, $6,962,000
• East Chiller Plant, $6,904,000
• Wing Technology Center Computer Science Lab Renovation, $2,533,000        

The first Prairie Springs building opened five years ago.