Developers pitch two‑story Cowboy Jack’s restaurant and adjacent mixed‑use building for Riverpoint waterfront

Capital Investment Partners presented plans for ‘‘Project Cowboy Jacks’’ to the La Crosse Economic and Community Development Commission on June 24, proposing a two‑story, western‑themed Cowboy Jack’s restaurant and a separate three‑story mixed‑use building (Ryki) on Lot 11 of the Riverpoint District.

The developer’s representative, Brett Burkhart, identified himself as COO of Capital Investment Partners and described a site layout that puts more density on Lot 11 after staff discovered extensive buried concrete and a monolith beneath Lot 12 that makes excavation costly. "Lot 11 is being divided into two parcels — the northern section supporting a 60‑unit, three‑story mixed‑use building and the southern section for Cowboy Jack’s," Burkhart said, adding that the combined development would total over 35,000 square feet of mixed use. He said the Cowboy Jack’s portion is budgeted at about $8,000,000 and would include a roof deck, a programmable second‑floor event space, indoor fireplaces and a transparent upper floor with panoramic river views.

Why it matters: the proposal uses a high‑visibility riverfront site in the Riverpoint master plan area and includes amenities intended to animate the corridor — shared parking, a year‑round enclosed upper deck and potential weekend programming such as farmers markets and live music. Burkhart said the team plans to preserve views along the corridor and to keep the restaurant’s upper space climate‑controlled so it can be used outside the summer months.

Commissioners pressed the applicants on how the La Crosse location compares to their Altoona restaurant. Burkhart said the Altoona site currently has 92 stalls; the La Crosse plan aims for about 120 spaces to avoid the perception that the restaurant is full when parking is constrained. The developers also said the group is coordinating with parks staff to integrate band or event viewing and is working on preserving/accessing a nearby underground stormwater vault.

The ECDC discussion was introductory; staff noted the TIF application was received recently and that the commission’s review will continue. The developers said they were aiming to begin site work this fall with a mid‑June opening next year, subject to permitting and final design.

The presentation is the first formal step in the ECDC review of the TIF application and does not represent final approvals of incentives, zoning or building permits. The commission did not take a final vote on incentives at this meeting; staff will continue analysis and report back to subsequent bodies as needed.