GRANT RECEIVED: Centralia will build road, improve river levee despite objections from some
By John Henderer, The Chronicle, 7/11/1996, The Chronicle
Work to install an access road atop a Centralia dike will proceed despite objections from neighbors and a Centralia councilor.
The city received a $471,400 grant from the state Department of Ecology to fund a $589,400 project that will improve the 3/4-mile long dike bordering the Skookumchuck River. The Centralia City Council went ahead with the project Tuesday.
Neighbor Ted Palmer objected to the plan, saying it would pool floodwaters higher above the city, possibly endangering residents if it fails. He said the city should improve areas downstream and allow floodwaters to pool there instead.
"It's just a matter of time before you get a flood that comes through that dike and floods the whole town," Palmer said.
Terry Calkins, Centralia community development director, said the dike won't be raised very much and the work is primarily to provide access for city crews during floods.
Calkins said floodwaters already circumvent the dike above and below it.
The City Council agreed to pay for its share of the work, estimated at $118,000, by using the $59,000 balance of a 1995 loan that funded roof work at the Centralia Timberland Library and capital improvement funds from this year and next.
Councilor Joyce Barnes objected to the funding plan, calling it "foolish" to borrow for the roof work last year. Barnes was elected after that decision was made.
"I think the city of Centralia has considerable other funds on reserve," she said.
Some neighbors object to the project because the dike crosses their property, and they don't want to remove trees growing on the dike.
Calkins said the city must use the grant by June 30, 1997, leaving little time to finish the work.
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