Construction has started on another new fire station for La Crosse

One new fire station in La Crosse had its open house last week, while work is already being done for a second new station — with a formal groundbreaking about to happen.

Land is being prepared in the area of Gillette and Liberty streets for Fire Station No. 4.

Meanwhile, the brand new Fire Station No. 2 on La Crosse Street has been running since mid-June.

La Crosse Fire Chief Jeff Schott said Station 2 reflects modern fire services in a way that the former station on Monitor Street did not.

“One of the things they did not have is equitable bathrooms and showering facilities for females,” the chief said, because women did not serve in the fire department in the 1950s and 60s.

Schott described the work done so far on that block, next to the existing Station 4, which will be preserved.

“There’s soil that has been disturbed, and they’ve started the beginnings of what hopes to be our Station 4,” he said.

The chief expects the new station to be open within 10 or 12 months.