La Center Mayor Tom Strobehn delivered the city’s 2025 State of the City address on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Wheel Club Community Center at Holley Park, outlining recent accomplishments, ongoing projects and an ambitious slate of plans heading into 2026.
Strobehn opened the evening by recognizing outgoing councilmember Melissa Fox, who did not seek reelection for Position No. 1, thanking her for her impact on council culture and decision-making.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you. You bring a different dynamic to this council that I will truly miss. It’s a happiness and a joy and a passion. And when you bring that to the council, I think it wakes certain people up and makes people think,” he said.
He also acknowledged councilmember-elect Louis Rivara, who will fill Position No. 1 following the 2025 election, and spoke broadly about council goals that have guided city work since 2023. Those priorities include community engagement, repairing tribal relations with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, economic development at the Interstate 5 junction, public safety, staffing, infrastructure and budget stability.
La Center 2025 in review
Much of the address focused on investments in parks, transportation and facilities, including pickleball courts at Heritage Park slated to open summer 2026, completed basketball and tennis court upgrades at Holley Park, the return of C-TRAN bus service and a remodel of the Wheel Club Community Center funded through a state grant.
The latest renovation, which began Jan. 10, was funded by a $242,500 grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce and an additional $80,000 from the city’s capital project funds. The total cost of the remodel was $322,500. An open-beam ceiling replaced asbestos-laden materials that were removed as part of the larger upgrade. Following the renovations, the city installed sound absorbers. Strobehn noted the substantial reduction of echos within the presentation room during Wednesday’s meeting.
“We heard many complaints when we first got it open because we were unaware of the echoing in the facility,” he said. “There really is no echo anymore … it does serve many purposes for the La Center Arts Council, La Center United, Meals on Wheels.”
Public safety drew extended attention, with Strobehn highlighting the city’s interlocal agreement with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, which provides round-the-clock coverage through 2029. Over the contract’s five-year term, La Center will pay a total of $5,332,506.99. The city paid CCSO $660,663.88 upfront for 2024 services late last year.
The mayor also acknowledged Chief Phil Sample’s dedication to quality police services in La Center.
“There is truly no price you can put on steady public safety presence in our city. Phil, you and your team are outstanding. You guys have slowed traffic through the city. You’ve solved crimes, you’ve made arrests and you’re cleaning it up,” he said.
Strobehn also emphasized renewed collaboration with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, particularly around wastewater infrastructure and development near the I-5 junction.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1039, sponsored by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, on Tuesday, May 13. The legislation allows cities to voluntarily provide urban governmental services, such as utilities, to tribal lands located outside of a city’s designated urban growth boundary.
The bill was initially crafted with La Center and the Cowlitz Tribe in mind. It follows a separate agreement in April 2024 in which the city allowed the tribe to place 50 to 55 acres of commercially zoned land east of Interstate 5 into trust.
“It means that we can use the wastewater line that was put in by the tribe in 2016, 2017, to service the tribe’s expansion and all the expansions at the junction,” Strobehn said in a previous Reflector article. “We can specifically help manage their wastewater without breaking the law. It’s amazing.”
Financial stability was another key theme of the night. Strobehn said La Center’s general fund has remained in surplus since 2021 and is projected to stay positive through 2026, despite broader budget shortfalls facing many cities.
“As of 2023, late in 2024 and 2025, these (are) the first years that we’ve actually gone positive without the majority of the money coming from card rooms … That, too, is amazing,” he said
What to expect in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, Strobehn highlighted three major projects he described as both transformative and necessary for La Center’s long-term future: the Northwest Pacific Highway shared-use path, the Downtown 2.0 redevelopment and the Fifth and Birch Community Park.
The Northwest Pacific Highway shared-use path is designed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists along a stretch of road the mayor said has become increasingly dangerous. The 10-foot-wide path will run from 250 feet west of Northwest Golden Avenue through Kay’s Subdivision to Northwest Larsen Drive and will include a pedestrian bridge and path lighting. The total project cost is estimated at $2.7 million, funded through federal and state grants along with $750,000 from city transportation impact fees. Funding for the project is expected to be obligated in June 2026.
“If you drive that road and you see people walking, this is why we’re doing what we’re doing. It’s very dangerous, and we’re not gonna wait for somebody to get killed. Life is more important than the almighty dollar,” he said.
The final project Strobehn described as one of the most exciting initiatives ahead is a park on Fifth and Birch. The preliminary concept includes three connected elements: the existing C-TRAN park and ride, a new community park including a playground structure and a food cart station with a farmers market. Planned features include swings, seating areas, a gas fireplace, covered and heated seating for food vendors and space for public art installations.
“The first phase of our preliminary design is completed and (we’re) expected to go into phase two of design in the spring of 2026,” Strobehn said. “This project has been a long time in the making, and we’re excited to be able to provide a unique and fun outdoor experience to residents and visitors.”
Strobehn also spent time outlining his vision for Downtown 2.0, a redevelopment effort aimed at creating a more accessible and vibrant downtown core. Plans include shopping, storefronts, restaurants, housing, a waterfront boardwalk, historical artifacts and public art, all centered around a plaza intended to host events and celebrations. The city has received a $400,000 grant to complete the initial design with community input, and land acquisition for the project is expected by January 2026. The project is projected to generate up to 142 jobs and 298 new residences.
“Downtown 2.0 will serve as a place for future celebrations, events, and more,” he said.
Earlier during the Wednesday meeting, La Center resident Al Philla expressed concern regarding what he called the city’s difficulty in attracting businesses for tax revenue and job development. Strobehn said that is one of several factors the city will address early next year.
“It has come to my attention how many obstacles business owners have to jump over to actually do business in the City of La Center,” he said. “As of today, (city staff) and I had a meeting where we are going to address those issues. We’re gonna look at the code (and) processes and hopefully sometime by the end of January, beginning of February, we’ll have some processes in place.”
