By Steven Stilt
The Centralia City Council on Monday night accepted a bid for the construction of a new water treatment plant to replace the city’s current 100-year-old facility. The council approved a $27,881,971 bid from Korte and Luitjohan Contractors of Highland, pending Illinois Environmental Protection Agency approval. The bid was the lowest of four bids submitted for the project.
According to representatives from engineering firm Curry and Associates who were on hand at the meeting, construction on the new plant could start early this fall, with an estimated completion date in 2026.
Mayor Bryan Kuder says the new water treatment plant, which will have a six million gallon daily capacity, is vital for future business development and is also important for those in nearby communities that rely on Centralia’s water treatment services.
“This will give us a foothold in the future when it comes to economic growth by having that, plus … this isn’t just the Centralia Water Treatment Plant, by name. This is a regional water treatment plant, and although Centralia has 12,800 residents, we supply water to almost 32,000.”
According to City Manager Kory Smith, Centralia has received $1 million through Congressman Mike Bost’s office for the project. However, city officials are still communicating with state lawmakers and grant providers about ways to defray the cost of the new plant.
The council on Monday approved an ordinance amendment authorizing the City of Centralia to borrow funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program through the Illinois EPA. The loan will be used to cover any shortfall in funding from grants and a surcharge placed on all Centralia and satellite customers the last few years.
The council also approved a $4,132,798 bid from Haier Plumbing and Heating for raw water mains to the new water treatment plant and arterial water mains from the new plant to the existing system. Additionally, council members approved a $1,454,699.50 bid from Haier for the replacement of raw water transmission main from the Boulder pump station to Quick Road.
In other action, the council approved a bid from Holmes Construction LLC in the amount of $38,400 for roofing improvements at the Centralia Community Youth Center. The roof of the youth center has sustained damage and is leaking, according to city officials.
The council approved the use of Laura Leake Park and the temporary closure of streets surrounding the park for the annual Juneteenth celebration, which will take place on June 15.
Approval was also given on an ordinance authorizing the sale of property on the south side of the Centralia Recreation Complex from the city to the Centralia Foundation for the property’s appraised value of $45,000.
Mayor Kuder read a proclamation recognizing May 12-18 as “National Skilled Nursing Care Week” and presented the proclamation to representatives from Fireside House in Centralia.
