La Crosse Broke Ground on Copper Rocks Project
Community leaders initiated construction on a mixed-use development at the former K-Mart site.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Officials gathered at the intersection of Losey Boulevard and State Road to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Copper Rocks development. The project will transform the vacant property that has sat unused since 2017.
Why it matters
This development marks a significant transition for the area, breathing new life into a long-vacant commercial property. The project was previously held up by economic factors, specifically rising interest rates that delayed construction plans.
The new Copper Rocks development includes 247 residential housing units on the site of a retail store that closed nine years ago. The developer, Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions, is spearheading the conversion of the vacant lot.
The players
Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions
This organization is the primary developer responsible for the design and construction of the Copper Rocks site.
The details
Developers signaled the start of construction by placing a mound of dirt on the existing parking lot to conduct a ritual ceremony. The project will replace the former K-Mart structure with a new complex featuring both residential and commercial space.
Timeline
The K-Mart store closed its doors in 2017.
Initial plans for the Copper Rocks development were made public in 2021.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Demolition of the former K-Mart retail structure is scheduled for early 2027.
Phase 1 of the new project is projected to open by summer 2028.
Market Landscape
The transformation of the former K-Mart follows the widespread industry trend of adaptive reuse, where developers repurpose obsolete big-box retail space to address housing shortages. This project reflects a shift in real estate strategy as commercial footprints are increasingly converted for residential density.
Residents should anticipate construction activity and eventual traffic changes at the intersection of Losey Boulevard and State Road. The addition of 247 housing units may influence local rental availability and commercial options in the surrounding La Crosse neighborhood.
The takeaway
The project demonstrates how stalled development plans can be resurrected once economic conditions improve. Local stakeholders can track the project timeline as it moves from its ceremonial groundbreaking toward actual site demolition.
What happens next
Demolition of the old retail structure is expected to begin in early 2027, followed by the anticipated opening of the first residential phase in summer 2028.
Further reading
For more information on other local developments, visit the La Crosse Openings & Closings section.
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Do you believe redeveloping abandoned retail properties into housing helps your local community?
