Committee approves development agreements for Chalmers project at former La Crosse Tribune site

The Economic and Community Development Committee approved three development agreements June 25 for the Chalmers redevelopment, a multi‑phase mixed‑use project on the former La Crosse Tribune site and an adjacent vacant parcel in downtown La Crosse.

Julie, a city planning representative, reminded the committee that the ECDC previously approved a term sheet in January 2023 and said staff and the developer adjusted phase lines and timelines while negotiating the development agreements. Those adjustments shifted some commercial space and a number of residential units from phase 1 into phase 2; staff said one additional unit was added to the overall project and that the phased structure was requested to assist the developer’s financing.

Julie told the committee the project is now estimated at about $42 million at completion, producing an estimated new taxable value of more than $39 million. The total tax‑increment financing (TIF) request is just under $6 million structured as PAYGO per the city’s TIF policy; staff noted the aggregate TIF amount in the agreements is about $735,000 less than the original term sheet because of shifted start dates and the TID’s scheduled close date in 2035.

Jake Bunce, the project manager with T Wall Enterprises, confirmed the developer intends to use the Pine Street public parking ramp adjacent to the site and said the design includes a planned skywalk connection from the project’s third story into the ramp. Bunce said that will provide covered parking for residents and generate rental revenue for the city while allowing the developer to avoid deeper (and more expensive) below‑grade parking construction.

Commissioners asked whether the property would transfer to new ownership under the agreement; Julie and Bunce confirmed the development will proceed with the developer as buyer under the terms presented. Commissioners also asked about timing; Bunce said demolition and construction were targeted to begin this fall with the multi‑phase build roughly paced at one phase per year to 18 months per phase.

The committee approved the three development agreements by voice vote. Staff said the agreements reflect the existing TIF policy and that final financing and construction details remain subject to the developer’s schedules and any required city permits.

Why it matters: The project reuses a prominent downtown parcel, is expected to produce substantial new tax value and housing units, and relies on city TIF support structured to align with TID timelines.