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United Learning Center construction slows; city and partners seek funds to close HUD-related gap
Summary
City manager and project partners told the council the United Learning Center (ULC) faces a cash‑flow shortfall tied to a HUD grant and NEPA review; partners affirmed commitment and set a revised opening target of September 2026 if funding clears.
City Manager Mike Thomas and community partners updated the City Council on Feb. 25 about the United Learning Center, a multi‑partner early‑learning and family‑resource campus under construction in downtown Centralia.
Thomas told the council the project is facing a funding gap connected to a $4 million federal HUD award that requires additional NEPA environmental review before HUD will disburse funds. "We do face a cash flow hurdle at this time that resulted in some basically a funding gap," Thomas said, and he described a planned construction slowdown to preserve resources and keep contractors on site while the city and partners complete HUD-required paperwork.
Thomas outlined the project’s financing to date:…
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