Vision: “Put the Highway 53 Corridor and adjacent neighborhoods on the path to be an even greater place to live, work, and play for all people through balanced strategies.”
The Highway 53 Corridor Master Plan creates a 15-20 year plan to enhance La Crosse’s predominant entrance to those arriving from outlying communities, the airport, and the interstate.
The highway is part of the “All-American Road” as designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Highway Administration. It’s also known as the Great River Road and National Scenic Byway that runs from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
WHO OVERSEES THE PLAN
The North La Crosse Business Association, in partnership with neighborhood groups, is the official champion and implementor of the plan.
How to Implement
This plan is approved by the City Council. To implement, projects must be prioritized into an improvement plan. Funding must be found to spark the change needed.
Identified Problems
- Problematic Pedestrian Crossings — i.e., 21 Vehicle-Pedestrian crashes in 10 years:
George Street & Stoddard Street; George Street & W. George Street; Rose Street and Logan Street - Sidewalks narrowed due to being infringed by fences, parking lots, building setbacks, trees, signs, or improper design standards
- Lack of snow removal make sidewalks impassable
- Low curbs resulting in encroachment
- Streetscape lacking that doesn’t narrow sidewalks: greenery, furniture, pedestrian lighting, and wayfinding
- Higher than usual use of sidewalks for bicycling versus using side streets and difficulty crossing the Highway
- Bus Stops lacking benches, lights, and shelters plus inconsistent snow removal around stops.
- Caledonia Street/Old TOwne North: identified as critical to the local economy and neighborhood vitality.
Key Pulse Nodes
The plan identifies four pulse nodes where services and resources are focused to create high-intensity, mixed-use residential and commercial development with strong transportation infrastructure — being friendly, attractive, walkable, and differential in scale, character, and function.
