Council Panel Advances Lincoln School Housing Plan
A La Crosse committee has backed rezoning the former Lincoln Middle School plot for 51 affordable apartments.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Secondary Education
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La Crosse's Judiciary and Administration committee advanced a resolution rezoning the two-acre Lincoln Middle School plot to allow conversion into 51 affordable housing units. The full City Council will decide on the rezoning on November 12.
Why it matters
The school closed in 2023 after declining enrollment and rising maintenance costs, and the building was later designated historic. The project would repurpose a long-standing public building for housing in La Crosse.
The Heritage Lofts at Lincoln project includes 51 apartment units, a 53-spot parking lot, and nonprofit office space, partly funded by a $2.4 million state grant. The building was purchased in 2025 for $2.2 million, and the full council's final rezoning vote remains pending.
The players
La Crosse Public Schools
The school district operates public schools in La Crosse and closed Lincoln Middle School in 2023 citing declining enrollment and rising maintenance costs.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
The state agency provides financing and grants for housing development and awarded the $2.4 million grant supporting the Heritage Lofts project.
The details
The Judiciary and Administration committee advanced a resolution to rezone the two-acre plot so the building can be converted into affordable housing. The development will also include exterior improvements, and a housing development group bought the building in 2025.
Timeline
2023: La Crosse Public Schools closed Lincoln Middle School.
2025: A housing development group bought the building for $2.2 million.
November 12, 2026: The full City Council will decide on the rezoning.
January 2027: Construction is expected to begin.
2028: Construction is expected to be completed.
Roadmap
The project relies on Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority funding to convert a closed public school into affordable rental housing. It reflects a broader pattern of repurposing surplus school buildings in Wisconsin cities for residential use.
If approved, the Heritage Lofts project would add 51 affordable apartments and 53 parking spaces to the Lincoln site in La Crosse. Residents interested in the housing should watch for the November 12 council vote and the scheduled January 2027 construction start.
The takeaway
Repurposing closed public schools for housing can preserve historic buildings while adding affordable units to a city. Residents who want to follow the outcome should track the November 12 council vote.
What happens next
The full La Crosse City Council will vote on the rezoning on November 12, 2026, and construction is expected to begin in January 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Secondary Education to see how school closures are shaping community decisions in La Crosse.
Live Poll
Do you support converting closed public school buildings into affordable housing in your community?
