Chipotle in Centralia? Port commissioner says fast food restaurant coming to Centralia Station along with WinCo

Sep. 20—While rumors have been circulating as to what restaurant will be joining WinCo Foods at the new Centralia Station shopping center just off Interstate 5's Mellen Street exit, Port of Centralia Commission Kyle Markstrom cleared the air about the issue on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

"We didn't talk about it at the port commission meeting today but the port entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a developer, Cole Valley Partners ... Cole Valley Partners has submitted for permits with the city, and they have listed Chipotle as their tenant," Markstrom said in a Facebook video.

The port has yet to close the property's sale to Cole Valley Partners — a Portland-based real estate firm — but once it is finalized, construction on the Chipotle will begin, Markstrom said.

Cole Valley Partners began working with the port earlier this year after the commissioners unanimously approved the purchase and sale agreement during their July 17 meeting, though at the time Cole had only begun to enter into negotiations with Chipotle.

Markstrom added WinCo has yet to announce an opening date for the grocery store.

As for the Port of Centralia commissioner meeting on Wednesday, Cisco Webex was used to stream the meeting online for the public to be able to attend remotely.

Previously, the port had utilized Webex conference calls in which remote attendees could only listen to audio over the phone.

While the stream was available online, there were technical difficulties with the stream's audio. Despite the audio issues, Markstrom said port staff are working on correcting them for the next meeting, and video recordings of meetings will be uploaded to the port's website soon.

During the meeting a small works roster contract was awarded to Sterling Breen Construction, of Centralia.

The work involves leveling out two fill stock piles at Centralia Station, which were created after material was removed during the construction of the stormwater retention facility.

It is being carried out to prepare the property for sale in the future.

Sterling Breen's bid was the lowest of three bids on the project at $317,555 plus tax, which comes to a total of $343,594.51, Port of Centralia Executive Director Kyle Heaton said during Wednesday's meeting.