Replacing Fire Stations No. 2 and No. 4 continues to spark fireworks among La Crosse Common Council members, including an often-volatile debate Thursday night.
After a lengthy kerfuffle during a Zoom meeting, the council voted 8-4 to adopt an amended resolution to proceed with replacing Station No. 2 with a new building on La Crosse Street this year but put Station No. 4 on hold pending a decision on its proposed historic designation.
The resolution also approved moving ahead with an extensive remodeling of Fire Station No. 1, including the second-floor bathroom, locker room, and bunkrooms.
“This drives me crazy,” said council member Scott Neumeister, who favored replacing No. 4 now, too. “Us even considering this boggles my mind.”
Neumeister, who pointed out that that Station 4 is a personal issue for him because he’s lived nearly all of his 56 years on earth on the North Side, said, “I beg all of you to do something positive for the North Side of La Crosse.”