The Centralia City Council passed an ordinance approving the creation of a Centralia Globetrotters mural the side of a city-owned building in Laura Leake Park. The mural, designed by local artist Jamie Allen, will feature five Centralia basketball players who joined the Harlem Globetrotters. The cost of the project is estimated between $5,000 and $10,000 with the Centralia Image Committee providing 100% of the funds. The project is expected to be completed in June 2026 with an unveiling at the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration.
City Manager Galen Mahle reports that the new Centralia water plant is progressing on schedule, with most of the groundwork finished. During the recent water conservation period, the city made connections to new water lines that will feed the plant when it opens. Mahle says the city expects the water plant to be operational in August of 2026.
Engineering firm Crawford, Murphy and Tilly was approved for a new five-year consultant engineering contract for the Centralia Municipal Airport as required by the FAA. CMT has assisted the city for approximately 35 years.
The council considered several ordinances affecting the number of liquor licenses. An ordinance granting a Class A liquor license to 117 E. Broadway, where new business Colden Brewery is planned to open, was approved. An ordinance granting a Class A license to the business at 320 East Noleman, Rolln Up, failed due to a lack of a motion. An ordinance to decrease the number of class C, E, and F liquor licenses was amended to only decrease E and F licenses and was passed.
The council also approved a $12,000 forgivable TIF #3 loan to RE: Purpose Development for facade improvements to the building at 117 East Broadway. The total cost of the facade improvements is placed at $25,415.
City Clerk Kim Enke called attention to and encouraged participation in the downtown city cleanup taking place Tuesday at 6 PM, starting near city hall.
Mayor Bryan Kuder said that fundraising efforts are beginning ahead of this year’s Shrine Game, for which the mayors of Salem and Centralia compete to raise more money for Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Kuder is hoping to win the competition for the third year in a row and has a goal to raise more than $10,000.
