The Centralia City Council has given the green light to the use of downtown tax increment district funds to help support a $2-million renovation of the Winery Block Project in the 100 block of East Broadway.
One of the partners of Re:purpose Development LLC Shannon Cooney is hoping most of the project can be completed in about a year.
“The State Historic Preservation Office is scheduled to be here by the end of the month to take a look at plans. We are going to continue to work and hope to break ground for construction at some point before the end of the year, ideally by the end of the fall. We still have some things pending to start that. It should be exciting for Centralia, create opportunity for people and create a more downtown experience and attract more people and businesses.”
Cooney says the building at 102 East Broadway currently holding the winery will have an elevator installed, five residential units constructed on the second floor and a kitchen/restaurant on the first floor.
Cooney says the project is currently looking at tearing down the adjacent building at 112 East Broadway.
“Buildings dilapidated, you can see through the roof. But it is part of the city’s historic registry so we are working through the details there and making sure everything gets improved. If it doesn’t we will plan to rehab it the best we can back to its original condition but the goal right now is to take it down because of its condition.”
The new building would contain a restaurant/brew pub, public space/music venue, and second floor event space. The project would also include further improving the green space at ‘The Yard’ at 112 East Broadway.
Cooney says they also have plans for more downtown renovation as Re:purpose Development LLC has purchased the Hoffman Hart building from the city for renovation.
Centralia City Manager Kory Smith explains how TIF funding will help the project.
“There’s a TIF cap of $375,000 and whatever that property tax increment is it will be split over 80-20, 80% going to the developer and 20% going back to the city for the TIF coffer.”
Right now the downtown TIF is scheduled to expire in 2026, but the city is currently working to extend it which could allow for additional money going towards the project.
The project is estimated to create 29 new jobs as well as providing new housing and bringing more people downtown.
