La Crosse County considers turning undeveloped land into housing in West Salem

WEST SALEM, Wis (WKBT)-- Nic Lupint has lived in West Salem for 25 years. He doesn't like the idea of undeveloped land becoming more housing.

"Developing a plot of land for workforce housing doesn't sound like something that's going to benefit West Salem in my opinion," he said. "West Salem seems like it's stayed small town feeling and I would be hesitant how that would set a different precedent."

The land was originally more than 500 acres. According to La Crosse County District 27 Supervisor Paul Wuensch, half of that remains to be developed.

"With the growth of the industrial park, jobs and the community in general there's a need for housing," he explained.

Some of the land has become home to a business park and Lakeview Health Center. Other options would be to do nothing or sell it to a developer. But Wuensch says housing is the most critical.

"As the jobs increase in the industrial areas and the size of the school district increases, there's a need for housing and it's walkable," Wuensch said. "That's why this is a wonderful opportunity. It's contiguous to the village."

The La Crosse County board anticipates the population to increase in the county 10-15 percent by 2040. More housing would add 500+ units consisting of single family, townhomes and duplexes, generating $97 million in tax revenue to the county, village and school district. Living there would be another way to go green.

"Future housing here would be walkable to downtown West Salem, walkable to the schools, walkable to the people we need to fill the jobs in the industrial park that continues to grow," Wuensch said.

Housing is estimated to cost $9.5 million to build. The county hopes to make a decision soon.

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