“Collective on Fourth” in La Crosse hosts groundbreaking
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – A new La Crosse housing development, that’s been years in the making, is now beginning construction. First News at Nine’s Dashal Mentzel explains how this development plans to tackle multiple issues at once.
A groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday (5/8/24) marks the start of the new “Collective on Fourth” project in La Crosse. Cinnaire Solutions and the Northernstar companies are working together on the multi-family housing development. Cinnaire Vice President of Development, Nicole Solheim, says the company has been working with the city to complete a development project in this neighborhood, “This is an area that is primarily residential, but also close to a lot of employment centers. So, we are hoping to provide high quality, affordable housing for the workforce of La Crosse, a variety of income levels, families, individuals, and a true mixed-income community that can be a great addition to the neighborhood.”
Multiple city officials, including Mayor Mitch Reynolds and City Council Member Chris Woodard, are excited to see this project begin. Woodard says, “We all know that La Crosse isn’t growing out in the suburbs. We’re running out of land. I think, moving forward, it’s best to use our land wisely and get denser in places where it’s appropriate.”
Solheim says the collaboration between Cinnaire and the city is what helped this project take off, “The city of La Crosse did a lot of work to prepare for this opportunity, and they compiled a lot of the parcels, purchased the land, and then issued a request for proposals that really outlined what the city and the community wanted to see for this site.”
The development will see multiple apartments reserved for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Most of the apartments will also be affordable at a variety of income levels. Solheim explains, “The rent is based on the median income levels of the community and are limited and how much they can go up each year. So, we have to stick to annually published rent limits. And that ensures that this development will remain affordable for the long term. It will actually remain affordable for 30 years.”
As construction will continue for the next year, the city and Cinnaire hope that developments like this will help provide more housing for those who need it in the city. In La Crosse, Dashal Mentzel, First News at Nine.
Cinnaire will start leasing early next year and the plan is for all units to be available around June 2025.
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