La Center Mayor Thomas Strobehn, along with Bryan Kast, public works and community development director, unveiled a plan to bring more commercial development and vibrance to downtown La Center.
The concept for La Center downtown 2.0 was unveiled in front of city administrators, government officials and council members during a City Council retreat at the La Center Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 16.
“It's a big vision,” said Strobehn after hearing feedback by City Council and state government officials.
The downtown expansion vision marks the beginning of a historic process for La Center as the City Council already approved the downtown subarea plan, but Strobehn is looking to shift the subarea to land needing to be annexed into the urban growth area just west of current downtown La Center.
“We are looking at the subarea plan to set a stage for all of this,”as the downtown expansion vision is labeled to serve the community for the next century, Kast said.
The subarea plan will be guided by a new community vision being developed for healthy business and neighborhood growth, according to a flier about the downtown expansion.
Strobehn's vision is to strengthen the small community identity, not lose it, he said. Strobehn ensured the expansion will keep community history in mind to pair with new business, recreation and living opportunities.
Recreation in the form of parks and new riverside trails is a key highlight to the vision.
“Recreation needs to be highlighted. I think that people are so wound tight because of the way life is,” Strobehn said. “And so the more recreational activities that we can provide to the public, the better off the city is.”
— This story will be updated.
