Copper Rocks project breaks ground in La Crosse

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- After nearly seven years of planning, the Copper Rocks project broke ground today at the former Kmart property on State Road in La Crosse.

The development is planned to include 247 homes and 20,000 square feet of commercial and community space. The project is among a small number in La Crosse focused on housing for middle-income residents.

“That workforce-oriented housing had not had the opportunities for a variety of reasons,” said Jeremy Novak, vice president of development for 360 Real Estate Solutions. “As we look at new projects, that’s the group that we particularly try to focus our efforts on.”

Demolition is expected to begin in March or April next year.

The first construction phase is expected to wrap up in 2028, with the final phase slated for completion in 2029...

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Leo's notes: La Crosse’s Copper Rocks development has officially broken ground at the former Kmart site, advancing a long-delayed mixed-use redevelopment by Three-Sixty Real Estate Solutions. Transforming obsolete commercial properties into housing is an opportunity Wisconsin communities should pursue more aggressively. Copper Rocks demonstrates the potential to add substantial housing supply within existing urban infrastructure rather than extending development outward. While its market-rate apartments will not directly address every workforce affordability need, expanding supply and diversifying housing options are important pieces of the solution. The next challenge is ensuring redevelopment opportunities also produce homes attainable to middle-income households.