The building of the 0 million Ilani Casino Resort on the Cowlitz Indian Reservation is fueling the transformation of the Interstate 5 La Center junction in southern Washington.
Three construction projects are going on at the same time. One is the casino, which is the engine for the upgrades to the I-5 interchange along with a sewer line that will serve the same area and is intended to grow commerce in the city.
According Eric Eisemann, a planning consultant who works for the city, who spoke to the Columbian, “We’ve been looking at how the La Center junction might develop in the future.” He added, “A lot of things are coming quickly. All these things are happening, and there is a lot of interest in development here in La Center right now.”
The city wants to get slightly ahead of the game and take advantage of the changes that will be wrought by the casino, instead of being the victim of them.
Under this impetus, traffic is being detoured to temporary ramps to give construction workers more room. The Cowlitz tribe is footing $32 million of the bill for the improvements to the junction, including new off-ramps, relocating some roads and building a brand new overpass.
Eisemann is project manager for the city’s design planning team, has been working with community members in a series of “design charrettes” to see what ideas they have on how the junction should ultimately look. “The Ilani project is going to have a significant impact,” he said. “We need to find ways to work with that impact that is coming.”
The meetings have been very well attended.
La Center Mayor Greg Thornton commented, “I’m thrilled with the turnout,” La Center Mayor Greg Thornton said. “It shows how engaged our community is. There’s a lot of energy when it comes to this topic.”
One idea that has been received with interest is that of a small main street, with shops, dining and other retail businesses.
“We were told that people want something distinctive and something that works with the gaming industry, but is still something very much La Center,” Eisemann told the Columbian.
They also want to make the city more visible from the freeway, to encourage people to visit La Center when they visit the casino.
The design team will present its vision to the city’s planning commission early next year.
