Moving forward to develop Lakewood’s ‘street ends’
At its meeting Monday the Lakewood City Council directed the city move forward with a pilot project to improve public access to Lake Steilacoom by developing a “street end” at Westlake Avenue SW.
The direction came after discussion and review of recommendations from the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The advisory board previously reviewed the city’s primary street end properties and weighed them against various criteria to determine which site to develop first as part of a pilot project.
If any funds are left following the development of the Westlake site, the City Council requested other street ends be cleared to improve access. More information about whether this is possible will be shared with the City Council as the project moves forward in 2025 and 2026. Find the full presentation online starting on page 37 of the agenda.
What are ‘street ends’?
“Street ends” are designated public right-of-way (ROW). They are located throughout the city. These roads, often covered in vegetation, border four lakes, including American Lake, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise and Lake Steilacoom.
The lakes are public and open to everyone. But access is limited from the street due to overgrown vegetation and lack of city resources to develop and maintain the access points.
Over the past year the volunteer-led Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed an updated report (PDF) that identified the city’s street end properties. As part of its review, the volunteer board used a matrix to determine which sites to move forward to increase public access as part of a pilot program. View the advisory board’s recommendations here (PDF).
This criterion is what the City Council reviewed at its meeting and ultimately what guided the decision to develop the Westlake location.
Interlaaken Bridge reopens to traffic
Work wrapped on the Interlaaken Bridge repairs Thursday morning, allowing the city to reopen the roadway to traffic by early afternoon.
The road is now open to all vehicles. It still carries a reduced weight limit restriction of 6 tons. This restriction will remain in place until the state Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration can inspect the bridge and complete an analysis. Once that is done it is anticipated the weight restriction will be lifted.
The city thanks residents for their patience while the bridge was closed for this critical repair work. We know cutting off a major throughfare that connects one part of the city to the other had a big impact on people’s travel times and the ability to navigate the city.
Public Hearings planned on Lakewood development and shorelines
On Wednesday, Oct. 2 there are multiple public hearings planned that involve Lakewood planning.
The Lakewood Planning Commission will hold two public hearing at its regular meeting that starts at 6:30 p.m. The hearings will be on the draft list of 2025 Comprehensive Plan amendments and on proposed regulations to govern manufactured home parks and camping and recreational vehicle parks. Attend in person or via Zoom. Find meeting details including how to join virtually on the meeting agenda.
Also happening on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. the city and state Department of Ecology will hold a joint public hearing on locally initiated amendments to the city’s Shoreline Master Program. These amendments are necessary to bring the city’s document in line with changes recently made to the city’s Critical Areas Ordinance. Specifically, these change address riparian buffers, and which waterbodies are governed under the Shoreline Master Program or the Critical Areas Ordinance. Attend the meeting in person or through Zoom. More details are online.
Lakewood Fall 2024 Connections in homes
The Fall 2024 edition of the Lakewood Connections Magazine arrived in mailboxes this week and is online.
The most recent issue of the City of Lakewood’s quarterly magazine shares with residents and business owners the latest new from the city. Inside find information about:
- Council Corner: The Lakewood City Council shares the importance of youth engagement in local government.
- Road Projects: Want to know the upcoming road projects in the city? Check out a map showing work that’s complete, or almost complete, and what’s still to come.
- Park upgrades: We have two major park improvement projects happening this year. American Lake Park is underway and construction at Wards Lake Park will start before the year ends.
- Do you like our events? Check out the remaining events we have planned for 2024 in the calendar event listing.
Read online or check your mailbox and enjoy!
Truck & Tractor Day is Oct. 12
Our favorite fall festival is just around the corner. Truck & Tractor Day is Saturday, Oct. 12 from 12-3 p.m.
Head to Fort Steilacoom Park for a day of free family fun. Enjoy free hayrides around Waughop Lake, pick out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch (each family gets 1 pumpkin) and make sure to stop by the City of Lakewood booth to get a free hard hat for the kids (while supplies last). There will be food, entertainment and a chance to climb on big trucks and equipment.
Fort Steilacoom Park is located at 8714 87th Ave SW. Truck & Tractor Day activities are located between the large playground, the historic barns and The Pavilion.
Seeking Arts Commission members
The City of Lakewood is accepting applications to fill up to four vacancies on the Lakewood Arts Commission.
The role of the Arts Commission is to assess needs, establish priorities and make recommendations to the Lakewood City Council for enrichment of the community and promotion of its cultural vitality through the arts.
View membership requirements and qualifications and find out how to apply online.
Sign up for fall wellness programming in Lakewood
Fall is here and it’s time to return to your wellness routine. The City of Lakewood offers recreation programming focused on wellness and overall well-being.
Registration is now open for the following:
Sound Healing Bath Sept. 29
Join yoga instructor Patrea as she leads you through 60 minutes of sound healing and yin postures in this wellness-focused workshop.
Registration is open now. Cost is $30. Secure your spot by registering today, or pay at the door.
Bring comfortable clothing and an openness to release and receive.
Sound Meditation
Join instructor Kelly on World Mental Health Awareness Day Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This intimate Sound Meditation experience will offer a moment of stillness, reflection, and deep healing. Kelly is donating proceeds from the workshop to support the Willpower Foundation, an organization dedicated to mental health awareness.
Yoga, Tai Chi & Qigong
Registration is now open for the next session of Lakewood’s wellness recreation programming. Most classes begin next week. Offerings include:
- Gentle Yoga (Mondays/Thursdays)
- Vinyasa Yoga (Mondays)
- Yin/Yang Yoga (Thursdays)
- Beginning Qigong (Tuesdays)
- Beginning Tai Chi (Tuesdays)
Find the full class list and registration links online.
Volunteers needed: Waughop Lake shoreline maintenance
The City of Lakewood is partnering with Pierce Conservation District to host monthly volunteer work parties to help remove invasive species from around Waughop Lake in Fort Steilacoom Park.
The work parties will typically be held the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. View the event details on the PCD website calendar.
Volunteers can expect to help care for existing plants and remove invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and thistle. This work supports water quality, our local wildlife, and pollinators. The exact meeting location will be provided after signing up.
Council Corner: Sept. 23 meeting recap
West Pierce Fire & Rescue Benefits Charge. West Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief Jim Sharp attended the City Council study session this week to share information about a proposed ballot measure. WPFR is looking to replace its tax-based Maintenance & Operations (M&O) levy with a Fire Benefit Charge (FBC). Known as Proposition 1, the FBC will be on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot. This new assessment method is not a tax, but a fee based on how a property is used and the size of the structure on the property. The fee is not based on a property’s assessed value, but instead the use, fire risk factors and total square footage of buildings over 400 square feet. It does not apply to vacant land. If voters approve the proposal in November, property taxes will be reduced by eliminating 100% of the district’s current four-year Maintenance & Operations levy and reducing the statutory rate of the Regular Levy by 33%.
Review of Tacoma Public Utilities Budget and Rate. A representative from Tacoma Public Utilities presented to the City Council about proposed rate increases for customers. This included an explanation of the service area covered by TPU, including parts of Lakewood. The proposed increase will happen over two years in 2025 and 2026. Residential customers can expect to see a 6.5% average increase in 2025 and another 6.5% average increase in 2026. In 2025 that would amount to a $6.72 average monthly increase on a bill and in 2026 a $7.09 average monthly increase. Visit MyTPU.org/Rates to learn more about the proposed increase.
Joint Lakewood Arts Commission meeting. The volunteer Lakewood Arts Commission met with the City Council to review its 2024 workplan and progress it made toward accomplishing workplan items. This includes installation of more signal box artwork across the city, hosting quarterly artist receptions at City Hall, assisting with multiple city events like Fiesta de la Familia, the Street Festival and Summer Nights at the Pavilion concert series. The group is also working on the selection of a mural to be painted on one of the historic barns at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Review of Street End Report Recommendation from Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The City Council reviewed a recommendation from the volunteer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for which street end project to move forward into development phase. As part of its review and discussion the City Council ultimately directed to move forward with a pilot project to develop Westlake Avenue, which runs into Lake Steilacoom. If any money remains from this project, the City Council requested it be put toward clearing access on other street ends to increase the public’s access to public waterways. It is anticipated this will come back before the City Council for further information and follow up. Find the full presentation slide deck online starting on page 37 of the agenda.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 for a special meeting at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers (note the earlier start time). Tentative agenda items include:
- Review 2025-2026 Federal Legislative Priorities, State Legislative Agenda and Policy Manual and Pierce County Policy Manual
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW; Join via Zoom (or dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373), or watch live on the city’s YouTube channel.
Police Chief’s Corner
Each week Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith shares a summary that includes a look at total calls for service the Lakewood Police Department responded to for the prior week. The intent of the summary is to show a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe. To see quarterly statistical analysis, visit the Lakewood Police Department crime statistics page on the city website.
Weekly Summary, Sept. 17-24, 2024
- Calls for Service: 914
- Arrests: 56
- Violent Crime: 29
- Property Crime: 56
- Traffic Stops: 86
- Collisions (reportable): 21
Community events
Harvest Hoedown at the H-Barn is Saturday
There’s still time to get your tickets for the Partners for Parkes “Harvest Hoedown” Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. This is a fundraising event its H-Barn restoration project.
This fun-filled, family-friendly event will have live country music, family activities, a festive farm atmosphere, dancing, food trucks and a raffle. Cost is $10 per person. Children eight years and under are free.
The nonprofit Partners for Parks is raising $3.5 million to contribute toward restoration of the historic H-Barn at Fort Steilacoom Park. The group has raised $2.1 million toward its final goal. Learn more about its efforts and purchase tickets online.
All Hallows Eve: A benefit for Centerforce
KeyBank proudly presents “All Hallows Eve: A ‘Just Like You’ Annual Event,” a night filled with spooky delights and enchanting surprises benefiting Centerforce, a nonprofit empowering adults with developmental disabilities in Pierce, South King and Thurston counties for 55+ years.
Help raise support for the nonprofit, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. Doors of the Lakewood Elks Lodge #2388 will creak open at 5 p.m. For $35, you’ll unlock a treasure trove of experiences, including two drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres. The adults-only evening includes a silent auction with local experiences and a raffle with Alaska Airlines tickets.
The goal is to raise $40,000 to support Centerforce programs that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find jobs and engage in their communities. Learn more and buy tickets online.
Sign up for Lakewood Alert (Code Red)
The City of Lakewood uses Code Red, an alert service, to notify residents of important information happening in the city.
If there is an emergency that requires public notification, we will use Lakewood Alert as one way to communicate. We will also post information to our website and social media channels.
Subscribers can sign up to receive text and email alerts. People can also sign up for important non-emergency updates including information about road impacts from large events in the city or information about special events.
Find out more and sign up today.
Now Hiring!
There are a variety of positions available for hard workers looking to join the City of Lakewood team. Lakewood offers a competitive benefits package. We are part of the state retirement system (PERS). And the city is a beautiful place to work. Find a current list of open positions online.
Road project updates
Interlaaken Bridge repair
The bridge is back open. It still has a 6-ton weight limit restriction in place. This restriction will remain in place until a load rating analysis is completed by the state Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
The new signal bridged is anticipated to arrive next week. As a result, 93rd Street SW will be closed to thru traffic from Whitman Avenue to Bridgeport Way beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2. This closure is required for the contractor to assemble the traffic signal bridge at the intersection of Ardmore/Whitman/93rd. Once the assembly of the signal bridge is complete, the contractor will close Ardmore Drive, Whitman Avenue, and 93rd Street for installation of the new signal bridge.
Hipkins Road
Hipkins Road reopened to traffic last week. Mailbox installations are scheduled for next week. The City’s contractor is currently raising iron and performing landscape restoration/improvements. Remaining work also includes final signage installation and final channelization. Both Hipkins Road and Angle Lane will be closed daily when workers are on site. The road will reopen at the end of each shift. This routine will continue until the project is complete. A final full nighttime road closure is anticipated in early- to mid-October for final channelization work. This work is weather dependent.
Steilacoom Boulevard (Weller Road to 87th Ave SW)
Tacoma Public Utilities continues to replace 38 utility poles along Steilacoom Boulevard between Weller Road and 87th Ave SW. While TPU is doing this work drivers should expect lane closures as the poles are installed over the next three to four months. Road construction will begin this fall on this stretch of roadway for a $6 million road improvement project. Once construction begins, drivers can expect all-day lane closures over an extended period.
Farwest Drive, Safe Routes to School
Work is paused while waiting for the new pedestrian luminaires to be delivered (anticipated for late fall).
84th and Pine
The contractor is waiting for delivery of pedestrian lighting luminaire arms, expected to be shipped at the end of the month. Remaining work includes configuring the new signal, final sign installations, and permanent channelization.