Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Wednesday, July 09, 2008
News tracker: Copeland Avenue billboard
What we knew: The La Crosse Common Council directed Collins Outdoor Advertising and NSD Hotel Associates to negotiate the sale of a massive billboard along Copeland Avenue that stands in the way of a $4.5 million hotel to be built just north of downtown La Crosse. Collins withdrew from negotiations, prompting the city’s Plan Commission to recommend condemnation last week. NSD developer Paul Borsheim said the company offered to purchase the sign outright for $100,000, pay the profit on the sign for the life of the hotel or lease a “phantom” sign for the life of the hotel.
What’s new: At a special Highways, Properties and Utilities Committee meeting Tuesday, the committee rejected moving forward with condemnation. The Committee of the Whole later asked the developer and sign company to negotiate one last time on the sale before Thursday’s Common Council meeting. Both sides said they were willing to talk.
What’s next: The Common Council is expected to vote Thursday whether to move forward with condemnation.
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