A rendering from 2013 shows what Centralia Station might look like.
Centralia Station, a proposed 43-acre development on the south end of Long Road, is moving forward in the permitting process, according to Port of Centralia Executive Director Kyle Heaton.
The port has filed for construction stormwater and waste discharge permits with the state Department of Ecology for the project, which involves about 20 acres of soil disturbance.
Centralia Station in July received $750,000 for its stormwater project in the state budget.
Ecology is accepting public comments on the stormwater permits through Nov. 9.
Heaton said he expects to complete the State Environmental Policy Act requirements for the project in the next few weeks.
“We’re continuing to progress,” Heaton said. “I’d like to have it out, but it’s not out.”
Heaton said a traffic study has been completed. The flood study, he said, is nearing completion. Once Heaton has all the information from the studies, he said, he will schedule public meetings.
“We’ve got preliminary infrastructure plans, but nothing is set in stone,” he said.
Centralia Station will take advantage of the new infrastructure being built as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation's upgrades to Interstate 5.
The development aims to bring jobs, generate tax revenue and expand business in the Hub City.
The project could create hundreds of jobs during construction and, upon completion, Centralia Station businesses could potentially employ more than 350 people permanently, according to the port and the Lewis Economic Development Council.
The development is being designed to combine major retailers, community college facilities, medical offices, tech warehouses and sports fields while attracting other businesses to the area.
Heaton said Centralia Station may have a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony this winter.
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