Centralia has lost an $884,000 state grant as a result of paperwork not being filed in the aftermath of the City’s former Economic Development Director leaving the position.
City Manager Galen Mahle says the grant was to pay for part of the $3.6-million raw waterline to Carlyle Lake.
“We have the work that was most crucial to get done in a timely manner nearing completion, so it will not pause that part of the project,” Mahle said. “Phase two of that raw water line project will be on pause a little bit until we are able to re-apply for the grant that we lost, in hopes that we can more adequately finance that project and have it up and running when the water treatment plant comes online.”
Mahle says the Boulder Pump Station area was where the city had been dealing with numerous leaks.
Mahle says they have been granted extensions to catch up on paperwork on other pending grants.
They include an OSLAD grant for $600,000 in playground equipment for Fairview Park. Mahle says that project is about to move forward.
“All of the equipment has been delivered, and the construction company that will be doing the installation work has been out to formulate a plan. I would say as soon as we get some of the details worked out with power lines with Ameren that need to be adjusted with the new equipment, we will be seeing construction start very soon in Fairview Park.”
Mahle says the goal is to have the playground ready for use by the time school is out.
Mahle reports he is also working on getting additional grants to bring down the local share of the cost of the new water treatment plant.
Mahle is also working on finalizing job descriptions for the Economic Development Director and Recreation Director before they are posted for applicants.
