La Crosse Neighborhood Revitalization Commission Meeting - April 1, 2026

The Neighborhood Revitalization Commission met Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 6:02 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. in Council Chambers at La Crosse City Hall. Ten commissioners were present and Sean Hurtubise was excused. The agenda included approval of the February 4, 2026 minutes, a Downtown Main Street presentation, updates from neighborhood associations, discussion of an outdoor lighting ordinance, and neighborhood updates.

Consent Calendar

• The February 4, 2026 meeting minutes were approved unanimously by voice vote, on a motion by Ralph Geary seconded by Robert McDonnell.

Downtown Main Street Presentation

• Chad Honeycutt, Executive Director of Downtown Main Street Inc. (DMI), presented. He described DMI as a 501(c)(6) membership-based nonprofit representing about 240 downtown businesses, with boundaries from Cass Street/La Crosse River to West Avenue.
• He said DMI's revitalization approach is built on 'clean, safe, attractive, accessible' places, and highlighted volunteer turnout of about 100 people for cleanups, quarterly cleanups, and an upcoming Earth Day cleanup on April 22.
• Honeycutt announced a planned Sunday market at Cameron Park, running Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with wellness/exercise, music, and farmers market zones. He also mentioned DMI's work on banners, planters, litter pickups, window washing, and creating pathways for young entrepreneurs.
• He called for 'harmony through consideration' in downtown development, citing the 34th Street bike lanes as an example.
• In response to commissioner questions, Honeycutt acknowledged long-closed or underutilized downtown buildings, said some property owners may have financial reasons to hold properties vacant, and suggested historic preservation as one possible starting point for addressing the issue.

Neighborhood Association Updates

• Washburn Neighborhood Association (Dee McDonnell, co-chair): 501(c)(3) organization; monthly meetings except July and November; average 14-15 attendees per meeting; 518 website followers; mailed about 1,600 brochures costing $1,300; works with 360 Realty and Habitat for Humanity at 10th and Division; National Night Out draws 100+ people; maintains food pantry at 6th and Division with $100/month in food; contributed $800 to DMI for Cass Street planters. Outreach cost and a high-rental/transient population were cited as challenges.
• Logan Northside Neighborhood Association (Tamara Dickinson, secretary): county-funded dumpsters and cleanup planned for June 6 with Trinity Lutheran Church and Lower North Side & Depot; Renew the Block project on Avon Street near Logan Middle School; May 28 La Crosse Confluence event with food trucks; completed a large FSPA grant for north-side gardens including a native prairie garden at Logan High School; three new Driftless bicycle stations planned for the north side.
• Powell Poage Hamilton Neighborhood Association (Angie Minkie, chair): rebuilding after COVID; meets every other month on third Tuesdays; collaborates with Washburn and National Night Out; maintains little free pantry program; challenges include volunteer/meeting fatigue, transient residents, locked apartment buildings, and limited outreach budget. She asked the city to consider reinstating a periodic mailer for neighborhood associations.
• Weigent Hogan Neighborhood Association (Barry Smythe, president): conducted a SWOT analysis; strengths include community gatherings, with an ice cream social in May bringing about 125 people and neighborhood night out drawing about 100; building a block representative network; asked the city and NRC to communicate that neighborhood associations are vital.
• Lower North Side & Depot Neighborhood Association (Jerry Swim, chair): about 12 active members; meets at Fifth Ward Activity Center; focusing on spring beautification and cleanups, including maintenance of the Avon and Gould traffic circle; planning National Night Out/ice cream social; discussed bus shelter upkeep with MTU; described as one of the longest-standing associations.
• Bluffside Neighborhood Association (Jim Bagneski, president): highlighted strong city coordination, including speed bumps, stop signs at unmarked intersections, and two officers who usually attend meetings.
• Hintgen Neighborhood Association (Kathy Van Marin, co-chair): no formal board; leadership team of 5-6 people; plans three activities per year, including National Night Out with Good Shepherd Church; noted the neighborhood is in the highest quartile for equity concerns in the bike/ped master plan update; many residents are older or do not use the internet. She requested city help with mail/online outreach and traffic calming on cut-through streets such as 28th Street.
• Downtown and Springbrook/Clayton Johnson neighborhood associations were not represented; Springbrook/Clayton Johnson was described as inactive.

Outdoor Lighting Regulation Discussion

• Staff reported that Scott Lind is helping draft an update to the city's outdoor lighting regulation. The Eau Claire lighting ordinance, which Lind assisted with, was shared for reference, and the draft for La Crosse is expected at the next NRC meeting.
• Commissioner Stanton raised the holiday lighting exception in the Eau Claire ordinance and asked whether La Crosse could add language limiting how long holiday lighting may remain up. Staff said they would raise that question with Lind, while noting the enforcement implications of setting a specific date.
• Commissioner Walker asked when the La Crosse draft would be ready; staff said they expected it around the end of the first quarter and would follow up. No action was taken.

Neighborhood Updates, Concerns, and Celebrations

• Commissioner Walker asked whether neighborhood associations could become eligible sites to sign off on employer-sponsored volunteer hours, based on her recent volunteer experience with Habitat for Humanity. Staff said they would look into the options.
• The discussion also referenced the YouGetConnected volunteer portal connecting Western Technical College, Viterbo, and UW-La Crosse as a possible tool for attracting volunteers and new neighborhood association members.
• Before adjournment, two new commissioners were introduced: Taylor Keene (Grandview Emerson) and Bill Bonadurer (Weigent Hogan).

Key Outcomes

• Approved the February 4, 2026 meeting minutes unanimously.
• Received an informational Downtown Main Street presentation; no action taken.
• Received updates from seven neighborhood associations; Mayor Washington-Spivey suggested making such updates a quarterly or regular NRC item.
• Discussed outdoor lighting regulation; no action taken. Staff will follow up with Scott Lind and bring a draft to the next meeting.
• Staff will investigate neighborhood association eligibility to sign off on employer volunteer hours and the use of the YouGetConnected portal.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.