Former hospital property has new proposal for use
By Correne Martin
Future plans for the former Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital property to be used for a fire station, school district needs, and athletic fields were heard and embraced by the Prairie du Chien Common Council Tuesday night.
The proposal, which will go before the Crossing Rivers Health grounds committee this week and the school board next week, consists of a future fire station being earmarked for the western half of the property and the school district having the option to build on the eastern half within the next 10 years. In the meantime, the parcel would be developed into athletic fields, usable in 2017.
“The hospital is reviewing whether it would be best to lease, donate or sell the property,” City Administrator Aaron Kramer explained. He added that the proposal would address a couple of needs in the community and keep the property in public use.
“We haven’t even started funding for a fire station. We’re just here asking if this is even a concept you like. This has no binding on future councils,” he stated. “The challenge will be looking at where to relocate the fields in 2025, but that’s a problem for a future council.”
Alderman Edward Hayes-Hall shared a citizen request to add a small playground to the proposal so that young children would have something to do while older siblings and parents were utilizing the athletic fields.
With the council’s blessing, city staff will now discuss the proposal further with the Crossing Rivers Health Board of Directors.
Other business
•The council approved a proposed new dock along the St. Feriole Island riverwall, which local businessman Blair Dillman would have constructed. It would be a 150-foot long, public-use dock attached to the current Dock Holiday docks south of the riverwall. Dillman explained his proposal and said he would take care of maintenance.
Mississippi Explorer Cruises’ Dixie Libbey spoke in support of the new dock. The business is in its 10th year on the Missisippi River and brought about 9,000 people to town last year.
•The council approved the sale of land in the North Gateway Business Park to BoxLogix, with an offer of first refusal for a 10-year period on an adjacent parcel.
•Possible sale of the former boat landing property on lots 9 and 10 of the union plat was the topic at issue during a public hearing at the meeting. The council voted, 6-2, against selling the property and for the city to retain ownership.
