As the Port of Centralia continues its work on the Centralia Station project, a 43-acre multi-use development on the south end of Long Road just off the Mellen Street interchange, it’s about to use eminent domain to acquire property.
Recently, the port held a public hearing on two parcels that will be acquired through the use of eminent domain if necessary. It includes the Alderhouse, which serves as a temporary home for disabled adults and sits in the path of the development.
The port is scheduled to take action Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Port of Centralia office at 3508 Galvin Road.
The property is located on Alder Street and is needed for road improvements in the area of the project, according to the port.
The property is the first for which the port is exercising its eminent domain power, the right for a government or its agent to condemn and acquire private property for public use with compensation.
“It’s not the port commission’s preference, but at the end of the day, there’s road improvements that have to be made, not only for Centralia Station, but for the overall good of Centralia,” said Kyle Heaton, executive director of the port.
He added the new entrance to Centralia would help take pressure off the newly constructed collector distributor lanes, which were built as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Mellen Street to Blakeslee Junction project.
In September, Michael Pollowitz, a consultant working on contract for the Foundation for the Challenged, said the port was threatening to force the residents of Alderhouse out by a forced sale.
The port denied the allegation, stating no real discussions had taken point at that time.
Now, with pending litigation, Heaton said neither he or port commissioners could discuss the topic.
So far, the port owns about 20 properties in the area of the project, amounting to about 50 acres, he said.
“In most every case the property owner has been happy to leave the neighborhood,” Heaton said.
The port continues its work of permitting, a process several agencies are involved in. The permitting process is scheduled to be completed this year.
“A project of this size takes considerable time,” Heaton said.
The property for Centralia Station will not all be developed. Instead, some of it will be used for road right of way and stormwater retention.
While awaiting permits, construction of a storm pond has begun. Phase one of the project, which is located near Alder Street Baptist Church, has been completed. The second pond will be built this year on a parcel adjacent to South Street.
The neighborhood in the location of Centralia Station sits mostly vacant. Empty houses acquired by the port have been used for training for the Centralia Police Department and for local fire districts. SWAT teams have used the areas, and the houses have been offered to fire departments for practice burns.
Any remaining buildings will be torn down after permitting is completed, Heaton said.
Some residences in the area remain occupied, although Heaton explained properties on Brotherson Road, including an eight-plex and another home, are already owned by the port.
Since the port sees no reason to vacate the properties immediately with permitting still ongoing, the owners continue to rent the townhouses, while another homeowner is still residing in their house while in search of a new one.
According to Heaton, the port doesn’t necessarily need to acquire more properties, other than the Alder Street home. Instead, he said, small portions of properties may be needed.
The port has worked with landowners to obtain their property and have offered them fair market value for their land, he said.
“The port commission has been flexible with properties they bought,” Heaton said, stating the owners are able to take appliances, and whatever else they deem worthy, with them.
Until the permitting work is completed, Heaton said, the port is not actively pursuing an anchor tenant at this time.
