Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder cited a lengthy list of projects and accomplishments during the past year during his State of the City Message on Wednesday at Castle Ridge. He ended the message by saying the city needs to work to keep young people in town.
Kuder announced work on the city’s new water treatment plant is moving forward with an operational date expected in August.
“It’s going to be a six million gallon a day production plant,” Kuder said. “Right now, our production is right at three million, so we are going to double the capacity of water that the city can make. We have lost industry, we have lost businesses that have come to Centralia and said, ‘Hey, we want to bring this operation to Centralia, but this is our water consumption.’ We couldn’t handle it. Now, we don’t have that excuse anymore.”
Kuder says improvements in the city are being driven by a roadmap provided by the comprehensive plan completed in December 2024. They include plans for 4.5 miles in new sidewalks, beginning with Country Club Road this year. Road improvements this year include Perrine from Calumet to the Railroad Tracks, Calumet from Oakdale to the Airport as well as drainage work on Holiday Terrace.
Kuder says the city council approved a stronger building code last year and are continuing an effort to tear down old, abandoned homes and often putting the lots up for sale for new development. He reported 115 inspections of new and renovated businesses were completed by the Community Development Department and Fire Department. 270 tickets were issued for code enforcement violations. New construction in the city in 2025 totaled $15 million. Kuder highlighted new businesses and the continued renovation of downtown, and the work of the Tourism Commission’s See Centralia to bring out of town residents for the city’s numerous events.
Kuder says new playground equipment in Fairview Park has brought out a lot more users. He also noted a new floating boat dock and pavilion at Point Park on Raccoon Lake. Kuder says improvements are scheduled this year at Laura Leake Park, including a new pavilion and mural.
Kuder says 2025 also marked the city reopening its recreation department.
“In the spring we have the volleyball, summer the tee ball, the sports camps. You notice they’re having adult sports. I can remember growing up in Centralia when my parents were out playing softball, and you still hear over in Clinton County, they have the adult softball and different adult sports. Centralia’s beginning to get back involved in that.”
Kuder is pleased with the new recreation department app that allows updates between coaches and players.
Kuder reported the fire department handled 108 calls and 78 fires last year. He noted there were no civilian injuries.
Kuder says for the first time the police department has an officer in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. They have also joined the TASC organization which tries to find resources for the homeless. Kuder noted the number of community training programs offered by the police department, with the active shooter training program being the most popular. The police department had 155 participants in this year’s shop with a cop program.
Kuder commended the youth commission and its new job/community services fair held for the first time. He also noted the importance of the work of the city’s various boards and commissions.
Kuder commended Centralia High School and Kaskaskia College for providing the training needed by young people to find jobs in the city.
“For the businesses and everybody in the community to know, we need to start keeping our youth, keeping those individuals here in Centralia, instead of ‘You need to go here to get this or that.’ We have what they need here.”
The meeting was hosted by the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Bryan Kuder giving his State of the City presentation at Castle Ridge. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
