The City of La Center will possibly receive funding for two crucial projects after Washington’s legislative session, which concluded on March 7.
At a City Council meeting March 27, Hanna Jones, a state lobbyist from GHT, a consulting and lobbying firm that works for La Center, reported to the council the status of the funding. She reported, however, that only one — the White Club Community Center remodel — is guaranteed. The other, pedestrian improvements to the Pacific Highway Trail is contingent on the failure of an initiative on the general election in November.
Wheel Club Community Center remodel
La Center was awarded $250,000 to complete the remodel of the city’s community center. Located at Holley Park, the city-owned building currently includes tables and chairs for guests, a projection screen and a kitchen. The building is currently used for city- and school-sponsored events and hosts non-profit organizations including Meals on Wheels, which brings food and community events for seniors nationwide. The building’s existence as a gathering location for La Center dates back to 1961.
In 2021, La Center received funds from the state legislature to remodel the community center’s parking lot and kitchen. This year’s funds will be used to renovate the facility’s restrooms and gathering hall. Jones said the funds will be available on July 1.
Pacific Highway
shared use path
Legislators secured $1 million in funds for improvements to Northwest Pacific Highway, a road connecting downtown La Center to its northwest section. The road, which connects several residential homes in the northwest area of town to the schools east of downtown, does not have a complete sidewalk or a bike lane. The city would construct a roughly 10-foot wide multi-use pathway for pedestrians through the secured funds. The caveat, however, is La Center will lose the funds should voters approve Initiative 2117 in the November general election, according to Jones. The initiative would repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which would provide funds for the project.
Should I-2117 fail, La Center would receive state funds for the project on Jan. 1, 2025.
During the meeting, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution thanking 20th District legislators for their work in securing funding for La Center. Mayor Tom Strobehn noted that District 18 state Sen. Ann Rivers, who was redistricted outside of La Center during her current term, worked hard to fund the city’s projects.
