City of La Center

214 East 4th Street
La Center, WA 98629
360.263.2782

www.ci.lacenter.wa.us

General Information

Incorporation: La Center was officially incorporated on August 27, 1909.

Population: 1,470 (2008).

Rank in size: 146th largest in Washington state

Area: 0.9 square miles

Form of Government

Mayor/Council

Elected Officials

The City of La Center is governed by a six-member City Council, including the mayor. They are elected by a vote of the people and serve a four-year term. The city is administered by a professional staff. City Council positions are non-partisan. No term limits.

Jim Irish, mayor

Term expires 12/31/2011

Position 1

Bill Birdwell

Term expires 12/31/2013

Position 2

Al Luiz

Term expires 12/31/2013

Position 3

T. Randall Williams

Term expires 12/31/2013

Position 4

Gregory Thornton

Term expires 12/31/2011

Position 5

Linda Tracy (Mayor Pro Tem)

Term expires 12/31/2011

Engagement Opportunities

The City Council holds regularly scheduled open public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Workshops begin at 6 p.m., and regular meetings/public hearings begin at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at La Center City Hall, located at 214 East 4th Street, La Center. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Citizens of La Center can run for positions on City Council in the years that seats are up for election.

Staff Structure

Suzanne Levis, finance director/clerk
Dan Kearns, city attorney
Jeff Sarvis, public works director
Tim Hopkin, chief of police
Dale Miller, planner
Cathy Winston, assistant clerk
Bart Stepp, city engineer

Notes of Special Interest

In the 1870s, La Center was a business center and head of navigation on the east fork of the Lewis River. In late summer, the regular schedules of the steamers "Mascot" and "Walker", paddle-wheeling to Portland, were often interrupted by low water. Passengers and freight were transferred to scows, which were poled up the river or towed by horses along the bank.
With the arrival of railroads and highways, La Center lost importance and lapsed into a small village serving the surrounding farming district.
Its population in 1940 was 192.

Residents and visitors enjoy an abundance of wildlife and outdoor activities in our rolling hills, unspoiled wetlands and city parks. The La Center Wetlands Stewardship Park is home to Canadian Geese and Tundra Swan who take a rest on their journey along the Pacific Flyway. Sternwheeler Park is the city's brand-new outdoor amphitheater designed as a great venue for bands, concerts and special events. The 12-acre City of La Center Park hosts a community building, ball fields, play area and a pathway for walking or jogging. Heritage Park, located in the northern part of the city, is a beautiful greenbelt area offering a play area and walking paths. The Elmer Soehl Park also offers respite to walkers and a playground for youngsters.

John Timmen founded the town of La Center in 1871. It was the center of trade for many years until the condition of the roads improved. Steamboat Captain William Weir built the first house and store with a post office. A devastating fire consumed the wharfs and warehouses in La Center in 1890.

La Center was platted in 1874 by John Timmen and earlier had the name Podunk. The area was head of navigation on the Lewis River and center of shipping and travel. This region was renamed as "the Center" of commerce.