Council Approves Demolition of Former Tribune Building

The City of La Crosse has approved a development agreement clearing the way for a multi-story mixed-use project on Pine Street.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Commercial

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a weathered brick commercial block with empty upper windows beside a small green sprout in a cleared lot.
The City of La Crosse approved a development agreement clearing the vacant former Tribune building on Pine Street for a multi-story mixed-use project by T-Wall Enterprises. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of La Crosse approved a development agreement for demolition of the former La Crosse Tribune building. T-Wall Enterprises plans a multi-story mixed-use residential development on the site.

Why it matters

The building has sat vacant for almost seven years, and converting former commercial sites into residential space is a strategy aimed at adding housing in La Crosse. The project reflects a broader push to bring new residents into the city's downtown core.

The former Tribune building has been vacant for almost seven years, and the planned development spans the full block from Second to Third Streets along Pine Street. Material costs and interest rates remain unresolved and may affect the project's timeline.

The players

T-Wall Enterprises

A property management company based in Middleton, Wisconsin, that owns the former Tribune building and plans the mixed-use residential development.

Cliff LeCleir

The individual who purchased the former La Crosse Tribune building in December 2019.

The details

Cliff LeCleir bought the former Tribune building in December 2019, and T-Wall Enterprises, a property management company based in Middleton, Wisconsin, now owns the site. The building will be demolished to make way for a multi-story mixed-use development, and construction is expected to begin next spring.

Timeline

  1. December 2019: Cliff LeCleir purchases the former Tribune building.

  2. March: La Crosse Common Council approves the development agreement.

  3. Spring of next year: Construction on the old Tribune building is set to begin.

Local Housing Trend

Converting vacant commercial buildings into housing is a common approach in La Crosse as the city seeks more residential options downtown. Updated zoning codes and incentives are hoped to encourage similar redevelopment projects.

The redevelopment will add residential units to downtown La Crosse along Pine Street between Second and Third Streets. Residents may see new housing options and changes to the streetscape once construction gets underway.

The takeaway

Turning long-vacant commercial properties into housing can help meet local demand while revitalizing downtown blocks. Watch for zoning updates and incentives that may shape how similar projects move forward.

What happens next

Construction on the former Tribune building is set to begin in the spring of next year, and the timeline will depend on material costs and interest rates.

Further reading

For related coverage, explore Commercial real estate in La Crosse.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WXOW.

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Do you support converting vacant commercial buildings in your city into housing?