The City of La Crosse initiated a Comprehensive Plan update to create a forward-looking vision for growth and development. The resulting 2023 plan replaces the 2002 document with a more accessible, user-friendly framework shaped by extensive community engagement and grounded in current priorities. Organized around six guiding principles, including livability, public health, natural resource stewardship, equity, and economic resilience, the plan provides a roadmap to guide land use and community development over the next 20 years.
Scope
As part of the GRAEF-led consultant team, 106 Group developed a dedicated historic preservation chapter to ensure that future development is carried out in tandem with preservation. Our work advances a proactive, integrated approach to safeguarding La Crosse’s distinctive cultural and historic assets while supporting continued growth.
Outcome
Building on prior efforts, including the Downtown Commercial Historic District and the 2002 Preservation Plan, the chapter outlines clear, actionable strategies to strengthen preservation policies, protect historic places, and celebrate cultural traditions. Developed in close collaboration with the Heritage Preservation Commission and community stakeholders, the plan reinforces the role of heritage as a vital component of La Crosse’s identity, ensuring its rich history and vibrant culture remain central to a resilient and inclusive future.
