La Crosse Seeks Proposals for Surplus Police Site
The city is accepting development bids to convert the former Community Policing Center into residential housing.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Residential
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Should your local government sell surplus land to encourage new residential housing development?
The City of La Crosse has issued a formal request for proposals to sell its former Community Policing Center at 713 St. James Street. The city intends to convert the site into new residential housing to help address a budget shortfall.
Why it matters
The sale aims to return surplus city land to the tax roll while simultaneously increasing the housing supply on the north side of La Crosse. This move is part of a broader municipal effort to mitigate budgetary challenges through strategic asset management.
The former police facility at 713 St. James Street carries an estimated assessed value of $363,200. The site was officially declared surplus in December 2024 to facilitate its transition to private residential use.
The players
La Crosse Common Council
This body serves as the primary legislative branch for the city and retains final authority over the sale of municipal property.
Economic and Community Development Commission
This commission is responsible for evaluating development proposals and advising the city on long-term growth and revitalization projects.
La Crosse Planning Department
This municipal office manages city development standards, land use policies, and the intake of proposals for city projects.
The details
Interested developers must submit their plans to the La Crosse Planning Department before the year-end deadline. All final sale agreements remain subject to formal approval by the La Crosse Common Council.
Timeline
The property was declared surplus in December 2024.
The commission discussed the request for proposals on October 28, 2026.
The deadline for proposal submissions is December 31, 2026.
Submissions are scheduled for evaluation on January 27, 2027.
Culture Shift
La Crosse is aligning with the nationwide trend of converting surplus municipal buildings into residential units to meet growing community needs. This strategic shift reflects a broader movement in urban planning where cities repurpose aging public infrastructure to address housing shortages.
Residents on the north side of La Crosse may see the transformation of the vacant St. James Street site into a new residential development. This project is expected to add needed housing inventory while replacing a former policing facility that was officially vacated by the city.
The takeaway
Cities often look to real estate as a way to generate capital and stabilize municipal budgets during periods of fiscal pressure. Property owners interested in development should monitor official city portals for submission requirements to ensure all necessary documentation is included.
Further reading
Learn more about local development and housing projects on the La Crosse Residential section page.
More information
For official updates on the property sale, visit the City of La Crosse municipal website.
Live Poll
Should your local government sell surplus land to encourage new residential housing development?
