How the Town of North Judson could help bring a new water treatment plant and dollar store to LaCrosse was discussed during Tuesday’s North Judson Town Council meeting. LaCrosse Town Council President Justin Kiel asked if North Judson would be willing to donate a piece of abandoned railroad right of way.
It lies between the town’s current water plant and the proposed location for the new one. Plans currently call for water lines to be routed around that property, but LaCrosse would be able to save some money if it could simply cut across.
On top of that, Kiel said LaCrosse has been working for several years to redevelop the northwest corner of U.S. 421 and State Road 8. Specifically, the town and the landowners hope to attract a dollar store. Kiel said having the neighboring railroad right of way would give the developer a little more space and make it easier to install utility lines.
None of the North Judson Town Council members expressed opposition to the idea, but President John Rowe asked if LaCrosse might be willing to offer something in exchange. “Like a couple truckloads of salt or sand or something we could use for our utility department,” Rowe said. “I don’t know how that plays into that, but something, you know.”
He also wondered if the potential dollar store would be willing to pay North Judson for that portion of the land.
However, it isn’t entirely clear if North Judson even owns all of the property in question. LaPorte County’s GIS map lists CSX Transportation as the owner of the portion near the water plant, although officials think it was likely transferred to North Judson when it acquired its railroad. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe hoped that the two appraisals that the town is currently commissioning might settle that issue.
The Town of LaCrosse is hoping for a decision from North Judson this fall.
