There’s a lot of construction work underway on the north end of the Bell Tower Park in downtown Centralia.
Carillon Foundation’s Dave Agee says the work will convert the north end of the Bell Tower Park to a ‘park-like’ setting. Construction crews have cleared the area in preparation for landscaping with trees, bushes, and plants along with sidewalks that will create a walking trail. The area involved stretches from Poplar to Elm Street along East Noleman Street.
The Foundation had earlier acquired the land through the purchase of the Linkon and Harting Auto buildings that have been torn down. The parking area that used to be on part of the land is being eliminated. However, Agee says angle parking spaces will be added along the alley that comes into the park from East Broadway replacing the few on-street parallel parking spaces.
Agee says the work will complete the Bell Tower Park plan.
Meanwhile, the Centralia Foundation has completed the removal of the drive-through banking lanes on the former motor banking facility for the now vacant bank building at 2nd and Locust. Agee says the actual drive-through banking building will remain for future use. The rest of the parking area has been resealed. It will be provided for overflow parking for the Centralia Recreation Complex across 2nd Street and for downtown events. The foundation had earlier purchased the drive-through banking property but does not own the multi-story main bank building that has been for sale.
A ground-level look at the Bell Tower park improvements. Photo by Pat Hodges.
