Demolition to start on former bait shop buildings

On Monday, July 28, the city of Onalaska will begin demolition of the former bait shop buildings north of Irvin Street on the west side of Second Avenue South (Hwy. 35).

The work is expected to be completed by Aug. 1. Due to the large concentration of archeological artifacts found in the vicinity of the project during the reconstruction of Second Avenue, an archeologist from the Mississippi Valley Archeology Center will be on site to ensure that proper protocols are followed.

The demolition of the bait shop buildings is a critical step forward in preparing the site for redevelopment. The city had planned to build the Great River Cultural and Tourism Center on the site, but the Onalaska Common Council earlier this year scrapped the project and returned more than $1.2 million in National Scenic Byway Foundation grant money.

This property is at the entrance to city-owned lands along the Black River, and demolition of these two buildings will continue the citys efforts to create a physical and visual connection between Hwy. 35 and the Black River.

Access to the Great River State Trail will remain open during demolition

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Demolition to start on former bait shop buildings