November updates

 

Just a brief update for November.

The city's zoning update will be the topic of three upcoming meetings. Please attend one if you can:\

• TONIGHT! November 10 from 6 to 7:30 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 401 West Ave. S.

• November 17 from 6 to 7:30 at the 5th Ward Community Center, 1221 Hagar St

• November 24 from 6 to 7:30 at the First Congregational Church, Losey & Main

Learn more about the plan and the process here: https://forwardlacrosse.org

There are some public input meetings coming up.

• Monday, November 10 at 5 p.m. (register before 5 to speak) – Annual County Board Meeting and Public Hearing on the budget. Comments may be emailed to CountyBoardSupervisors@LaCrosseCounty.org.

• Tuesday, November 11 at 5 p.m. (register before) – Library Board budget meeting.. If you wish to speak, you must sign up at the library or by calling 608-789-7167 before the meeting. You may email comments to dwacek@lacrosselibrary.org.

• Monday, November 17 at 6 p.m. (arrive by or before 5:45 to sign in to speak) – City of La Crosse Annual Operating Budget meeting. Agenda is not yet available. Comments may be emailed to zzcouncilmembers@cityoflacrosse.org.

Leaf collection will continue through November 27, though the city encourages those who can to leave leaves on the ground. Their “Leaf It” initiative encourages mulching, not raking, to improve soil quality and reduce carbon emissions. Leaf drop off points closest to us: SW corner of Bennett St & 16th St S (Trane parking lot) and Shelby Ball Field Parking lot off of 33rd St

Our Highland Park water fountain was removed this summer and we are working to get it back. 

If you would like to help plan neighborhood events in 2026, please let us know!

October updates

 The City Administrator Working Group is hosting public input sessions

• Monday, October 6 at Nature Place (Marshview Room) in Myrick Park at 6 p.m. (not bus accessible)

• Wednesday, October 8  ONLINE (Zoom) at noon and 6 p.m. Find the links to join at the Working Group's page: https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/your-government/city-council/city-administrator-working-group

• Tuesday, October 14 at the Hmong Cultural & Community Center (Ward & South Ave) at noon and 6 p.m. (accessible by MTU) 

City Zoning Code Update Public Meetings will be on October 29 from noon to 2 at the Black River Beach Center and from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Southside Neighborhood Center. View the draft and more details about the process here: https://forwardlacrosse.org/ Both venues are accessible by MTU

There will be a Veterans Benefits Check-Up hosted by La Crosse County Veterans' Services on Thursday, October 9 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Holmen Community Center and on Saturday, October 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Onalaska American Legion. (You can get to both with MTU to DriftLink Shared Ride Taxi)  Learn about VA benefits and healthcare and visit with veteran-focused vendors. Veterans' Dental Treatment Planning Appointments are available through the Veterans' Dental Clinic on October 20 and November 3. You must sign up for an appointment. Treatment will be on November 10. Find more info and sign up links here: https://lacrossecounty.org/veterans

Indigenous People's Day is on Monday, October 13. https://www.uwlax.edu/events/?e=32920

• Myrick Park (not accessible by MTU) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - sports, speakers, activities, guided hikes, vendors and more

• UW-La Crosse (accessible by MTU) from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., more activities and speakers, guided hike, music, dance, and a keynote talk at 7:30 p.m. by Amy Lonetree, historian and enrolled citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation

Beyond the Bridge: A solution to homelessness film screening is on Tuesday, October 14 at 6 p.m. at the Weber Center. (not accessible by MTU) The event is free but tickets are required. Learn more here: https://www.lacrosselibrary.org/event/documentary-beyond-bridge-solution-homelessness-43814

A Fair Maps Community Hearing hosted by the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area will be held on Tuesday, October 14 at 6 p.m. at Viterbo Nursing School Room 195. (accessible by MTU)  Learn more here: https://lwvlacrosse.org/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=484247&item_id=2727887

October is Pedestrian Safety Month and October 15 is White Cane Safety Day – White Cane Safety Day reminds us to follow the laws and policies put in place to make walking safer for the 31 percent of Wisconsinites who are non-drivers. We have had some unfortunate crashes causing pedestrian injuries recently in our neighborhood and our community. Last year, our neighborhood had tried advocating – again – for traffic calming and signs at some intersections with no success. We may try again. Learn more about pedestrian safety month at https://wcblind.org/events/pedestrian-safety-month-and-white-cane-safety-day/

Disability Pride Fest, an event by, about, and for those with disabilities and their friends and families, will be on Saturday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Logan High School. The event features information, vendors, speakers, sports, activities, and networking. Learn more at https://www.disabilityactionnetwork.com/disabilitypridefest

There are several openings on various city committees, including the Building & Housing Appeals Board (Construction Industry Worker and a Registered Architect/Professional Engineer, must be resident), Housing Authority (Resident Tenant, must be a resident), Room Tax Commission (non-resident accepted), Flood Plain Advisory Committee, Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee , Neighborhood Revitalization Commission, Police and Fire Commission,, and Redevelopment Authority. For more information about each committee, visit City of La Crosse, Wisconsin - Boards, Commissions, Committees (legistar.com)

On September 24, the Park & Rec Department hosted a Fall Sustainability – Leaf It! event at Myrick Park, encouraging residents to mulch leaves in place in order to feed the ground and promote soil health. You can learn more and register here: https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/your-government/departments/parks-recreation-forestry/sustainability/fall If you do have to rake, leaf collection begins October 27 and run until November 21, with crews attempting one collection per week (click here to view our online map ). Put your leaves ON THE BOULEVARD (not in the street) within three feet of the curb. Please don't park in front of leaf piles. Make sure there's no brush or branches mixed with the leaves. There will also be Leaf drop-off sites open October 24.

The city will be flushing fire hydrants in October, including all dead-end mains in south La Crosse. Flushing will begin at about 7 a.m. on October 15.

The Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) bus service has routes that go from La Crosse to Tomah, La Crosse to Viroqua, and La Crosse to Prairie du Chien. Since 2012 it has served commuters, students, non-drivers, patients, youth, families, and tourists, providing affordable connections to rural areas and services, schools, workplaces, shops, restaurants, and the Amtrak station in La Crosse. The La Crosse county administrator proposes ending the service on December 31 or this year. If you would like to learn more about the issue and how you can provide your opinion to decision-makers, please see La Crosse Area Transit Advocates.

More updates

 

The city is hosting a program on Wednesday at the Myrick Park Main Shelter at 4:15 p.m. Learn about its Leaf It fall sustainability initiative. “Join us for a free fall workshop focused on low-effort, high impact lawn care this fall season. We will discuss how easy it is to mulch your leaves, the benefits mulching provides, and answer all of your leaf compost questions! And, yard signs **while supply lasts** Our partners at Habitat for Humanity La Crosse and La Crosse Area Waters will be present sharing their expertise and guidance on fall lawn care practices! . The program starts at 4:15 p.m. and is FREE. Kids are welcome to attend, too. Read more about it at https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/your-government/departments/parks-recreation-forestry/programs-activities/adult-recreation/adult-enrichment-programs

The City Administrator Working Group has scheduled a number of in-person and virtual public information sessions about the proposed City Administrator position (see https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=19820) Thanks to CM Weston for forwarding the info.

• Sept. 30 at noon and at 6 p.m. at the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center

• October 6 at noon and at 6 p.m. at The Nature Place, Myrick Park

• October 8 at noon and at 6 p.m. online (I'm not sure how to request access)

• October 14 at noon and at 6 p.m. at the Hmong Cultural & Community Center

The city's zoning code update is moving ahead. They are sharing what they have so far and will soon have more public input sessions. You can see the updates and reports on the first round of public engagement and sign up for updates at https://forwardlacrosse.org/

Starting Sunday, September 28 and through Sunday, October 5, almost 20 organizations, businesses, and agencies in the La Crosse area will host WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING, a national event to highlight the challenges non-drivers have in our car-centric world and to encourage us to consider how investing in more transportation options can improve access for everyone. You are invited to sign up for the WWD experience at https://weekwithoutdriving.org/join OR to participate in local events and activities, including speakers, a film and discussion at the library, group bike and bus rides, social gatherings, and more. All programs are FREE. A flyer is attached and more details are at https://tinyurl.com/WWDLaCrosse

On Wednesday, October 2, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold a public engagement session from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Nature Place in Myrick Park focused on the Highway 16 Corridor Study. Learn more about the project and how to provide comments online and by mail at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/533516-lacrosse/wis16-pi.aspx

Home Weatherization Program Expanded!

 From Green Homeowners United:

Check out this WXOW Ch 19 news story about the improved program led by the City of La Crosse together with Green Homeowners United, and how you can qualify!   WXOW: Free energy-saving program now available for middle-class households in La Crosse   (9/11/2025) The City of La Crosse has teamed up with Green Homeowners United to offer free energy audits and home upgrades for low- and middle-income households. The program aims to help residents save on their energy bills and lower the city's carbon emissions. Click here to read the rest of the WXOW story Click here to read the similar WIZM 1410 story Click here to read the similar WKBT News8000 story     Q: How is the City of La Crosse's energy assessment program unique? A: For a limited time thanks to a grant from the WI Public Service Commission, the City of La Crosse is offering no-cost energy assessments for middle income City residents as well as low income residents. While low income Wisconsinites anywhere in the state are eligible for a no-cost energy assessment, only La Crosse is offering them to middle income residents too to help them qualify for the new IRA incentive programs to partially pay for energy efficiency improvements like insulation and heat pumps. Q: Why is the City of La Crosse offering this? A: Because of recent federal legislation, Congress is ending the $1,200 tax credit for insulation and other energy improvements as of December 31st. Middle and high income residents can still qualify if their insulation project occurs before the end of the year. La Crosse is aiming to help middle income residents take advantage of this tax credit by offering the energy assessment at no cost! Days until December 31st Tax Credit Deadline It is important to note that the IRA instant rebates are different from the tax credits, and are not slated to go away. Low and middle income residents can receive thousands off the immediate cost of insulation projects and federal tax credits (if eligible, received at tax time) anywhere in Wisconsin, not just La Crosse. Example: Attic insulation & air-sealing LOW-INCOME: eligible for $3,400 instantly off the cost of attic insulation/sealing, sometimes more. Click here to learn more MIDDLE-INCOME: eligible for $2,800 instantly off attic insulation/sealing, plus up to $1,200 in federal tax credits (until end of year). Click here to learn more HIGH-INCOME: eligible for $1,200 instantly off attic insulation/sealing, plus up to $1,200 in federal tax credits (until end of year). Click here to learn more What you will need to qualify for the IRA rebates: A recent gas/electric utility bill Proof that your household annual income is less than the amount above, based on how many people live there. You can prove that with any one of the following: (a) last year's tax return, (b) a Medicaid enrollment letter (not Medicare), (c) energy assistance enrollment letter, or (d) Foodshare/SNAP enrollment letter When you have this together, call Green Homeowners United at (414) 604 6450 so we can help you with the next steps You can also use these links below: Click here to learn more about an energy-assessment of your property Click here to learn more about how much incentive you are eligible for with attic insulation & air-sealing yet this year Click here to learn more about the La Crosse no-cost energy assessment & air-sealing work for low and middle income residents (City of La Crosse residents only)

You're invited! August 5

We're all invited to the August 5 National Night Out event co-hosted by Good Shepherd Church and the Hintgen Neighborhood Association. NNO will be at the church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Road, from 5 to 7 p.m. with hotdogs, buns, condiments, and beverages provided. If you want to bring some food to share for a potluck - salad, side, chips, veggies, fruit, dessert - please do, but it's not required.  

While Plastic Free July will be over, we're still hoping to reduce our plastic waste so if you can, please bring your own plate, utensils, and cup/mug. 

We'll have kids' games on the church lawn and music by our own County Board representative Randy Erickson! 

We're also collecting items for Hintgen Elementary School children - socks, underwear, girls' stretch pants or boys' jogger pants sizes 5-10, or USB headphones.

We are  

Food, fellowship, and fun for the whole family! We hope to see you there!

(And, if you'd like to come at 4 to help get set up, please do!) 

July updates

The GROW garden at Hintgen Elementary School could use a few more volunteers—watering and weeding mostly. There may be opportunities to pick some veggies depending upon the school schedule and needs. If you can spare an hour or two a month, please learn more and sign up here: https://growlacrosse.org/volunteer-2/

 The Community Victory Garden at Aptiv is really growing and there are veggies there to pick now, including beets, snow peas, sugar snap peas, kale, chard, cabbage, and more. Anyone may pick a meal there at any time. If you want to garden with others, the new group garden time is Friday mornings at 8 a.m. (Tuesday mornings at 8 if it rains on Fridays). Learn more at https://laxvictorygardens.blogspot.com.

If you have any extra herb plants that could be transplanted into the big concrete planters at Highland Park, please pop them in! I hope to add some sage there soon and marigolds. The gooseberries along the east side of the park fence are ripening now. I hope to get the bridge and cistern hardware fixed/replaced soon. There's a very informal park clean up happening every other Saturday morning at 8 a.m. (next one: Saturday, July 19).

The next HNA/Good Shepherd planning meeting for the August 5 National Night Out will be on Sunday, July 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Church AND over Zoom. We will host a meal and activities for our wider neighborhood, including music by our own County Board Representative, Randy Erickson! If you would like to help plan details or help at the event (need most volunteers from 4 to 5:30 or so), please email.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will hold a public input meeting as part of its US 53 & US 14/61 Corridor Study on Wednesday, July 16 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center. Learn more and get a link to comment online at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/533516-lacrosse/us53us1461.aspx

 

The City is hosting a Bike Rodeo for elementary aged children on Thursday, July 24 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Kids Coulee parking lot in Myrick Park.

The Bike Ride with the Mayor originally scheduled for June, was rescheduled due to unsettled weather. The new date is Thursday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to about noon. It's an easy ride with several stops to look at and discuss existing and planned bike/ped infrastructure in La Crosse. Learn more here: https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/your-government/departments/planning-development/planning/transportation/ride-with-the-mayor

The City has a new monthly newsletter, Bridges, online at https://tinyurl.com/lacrossenews072025 that talks about events, government activities, public meetings, and more. You can sign up to have it emailed at the link.

The City of La Crosse Neighborhood Revitalization Commission is seeking more members. Our neighborhood did not and does not have representation on this team. If you are interested, please email.

The City's partnership with Green Homeowners United to offer free home energy audits and efficiency upgrades for qualified homeowners and renters continues. Those who are eligible for Focus on Energy income-qualified rebates (check here: https://focusonenergy.com/income-qualified) will be able to have sealing and insulation work plus more. Learn more here: https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Home/Components/News/News/2332/967

La Crosse County's Grow Solar group buy initiative is ongoing. There are two “Solar Power Hour” information sessions this month: July 15 at 5:30 at Onalaska City Hall and July 24 at 2 p.m. over Zoom. Next year, solar incentives may change, so if you've been considering it, now is the time to check it out. There are several solar installations in our neighborhood. I would be happy to talk about my experience and answer questions if I can. To learn more about the program, which will run at least through September, visit https://www.growsolar.org/la-crosse/

If you would like to be part of the neighborhood leadership team, which meets occasionally to plan neighborhood events, please email.

Budget info

Here are links to the summary and the detail of the 2026 Capital Improvement budget. 

• 2026-2030 Capital Project Summary Report CPC DRAFT 6-2-25
• 2026-2030 Capital Project Detailed Report CPC DRAFT 6-2-25

There's a budget item for sidewalks to be installed on 27th, 28th, and 29th Streets. Now that Hintgen is scheduled to close, are these a priority?

If you would like to weigh in on this or any other project in the budget, plan to attend the last of the b city Plan Commission’s (CPC)  public hearing for the draft capital budget, Monday, June 30 at 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers. (Accessible with the #4 bus.)

The final draft budget will then move to Finance and Personnel (F&P) on August 7 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. That's the last opportunity for public input before the budget is voted on at the City Council meeting on August 14 at 6 p.m.

People can come to F&P or CPC for public hearing or write in to the City Clerk (cityclerk@cityoflacrosse.org) to make their comments.