The Site and Background
The Great River Residences project, located at 200 S. Court Street, between Irvin and Fern Street, is in the heart of downtown Onalaska, and adjacent to the City’s Great River Landing and trailhead for the Great River State Bicycle Trail. Located along Highway 35 and the waterfront of Lake Onalaska and the Black River, it is just steps from the newly established Dash Park. Placing this 101-unit development on a currently vacant lot owned by the City of Onalaska, created value in an area that needed housing and supported the downtown community investements. Historically, this site was a blighted, former industrial property. It had then been owned by the city and used for storage and municipal use. The change to residential housing and a commercial space added value to the city. The site was long and narrow, with steep grades created by historical filling, including non-soil materials such as old cars, debris, and concrete. These historical activities created runoff, improper drainage, and high-cost redevelopment barriers. One of the solutions to these barriers was to increase the initially planned density by over 50%, thereby supporting these high costs due to the additional increment created.
Additionally, the project involved the removal of contaminated soils on the site in accordance with the standards set by the Department
Building Site
of Natural Resources (DNR). Due to known native American activities in the area, we contracted with MVAC throughout the project. That partnership included research of historical sites in the area, involvement in soil borings and testing, and site soil remediation efforts.
Parking Lot
The site is also includes an Xcel Energy substation. Specific considerations and actions were taken to ensure safety and coordination with the Xcel Energy to ensure that power supply and utilities were not disrupted during construction.
During construction, the city installed a new lift station on the site to facilitate the storage, pumping, and disposal of sanitary waste. This addition is a significant infrastructure improvement that enhances the site’s functionality and benefits the surrounding area by improving sanitation and waste management.
Despite the challenges associated with the site’s location, the property’s strategic proximity to The Great River Landing offers residents an invaluable neighborhood amenity. For those living in the Great River Residences, it means easy access to the park and trails, significantly enhancing their quality of life and creating a natural extension of their living space. This closeness to The Great River Landing fosters community engagement, encourages outdoor recreation, and promotes a deep connection with nature, making Great River Residences an even more appealing and comprehensive residential choice for the residents of the City of Onalaska.
Great River Residences during construction
Great River Landing Trails
Great River Landing
Great River Residences Case Study 3
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