By Gregg Hoffmann
WisBusiness.com
La Crosse – Plans are underway for a second Logistics Health Inc. building to the south of the recently completed headquarters on the riverfront.
A closed session between LHI representatives and members of the city Redevelopment Authority was held Monday night on the plans for the building. Mayor Mark Johnsrud said a proposal could be ready for consideration by the Common Council in April.
Key to the new building is an agreement on a parking structure, to be built east of Front Street, with probably 548 spaces. Some of those spaces would be reserved for LHI employees and some would be for the public. Construction on the structure could begin this spring for completion in the fall.
Frederick Rikkers, attorney for LHI CEO Don Weber, told the Authority the company needs parking for its 400 employees. Construction on the new building would begin in mid-2008 for completion in 2009, he said.
The city agreed in 2005 to provide parking if LHI decided to go forward with a second building. In the proposed arrangement, Weber would finance the estimated $6 million ramp. The city would repay him a through “reverse tax incremental financing district.”
LHI provides cost-effective, innovative healthcare solutions to government and commercial organizations. Since 1999, LHI’s experts have been providing customized healthcare solutions supported by its national network of more than 16,000 medical and dental providers.
LHI’s healthcare solutions support the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in the delivery and management of medical readiness, occupational health and wellness services.
The company has experienced rapid growth and could reach 800 employees in a few years. Its new headquarters opened last year. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson was named president of the company in February 2005.
