Nisqually Tribe holds Chief Leschi Memorial Walk
This morning (Friday) the Nisqually Tribe will lead a Memorial Walk in Lakewood to honor Chief Leschi. The walk is held on his birthday, a day with special meaning for the Tribe.
The walk will begin from Oakbrook Plaza at a historical stone marker that acknowledges the hanging of Leschi in 1858 not far from where the present day shopping complex now stands. The purpose of the walk is to share Leschi’s story, including his exoneration in 2004, and the larger story of the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854.
Tribal leaders will gather at 10:30 a.m. and walk a little over a mile down Steilacoom Boulevard to Fort Steilacoom Park. From there they’ll enter the park and speakers will share tribal history, culture and stories. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend.
Traffic will be impacted along Steilacoom Boulevard around of the time of the walk, as the group proceeds down the center turn lane on Steilacoom Boulevard. Drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes and drive slow in the area.
Public art comes to Motor Ave.
Under cloudy skies Wednesday and clad in a bright orange jacket, Seattle artist John Fleming installed his “Colonial Plaza Gateway Arch” to the entrance of Motor Avenue. Those passing on Gravelly Lake Drive may have noticed the large crane stationed at the entrance to Motor Avenue as it slowly and carefully lowered the large, steel pieces to the ground.
The installation marks another milestone in the evolution of this community gathering space that once was a sparsely traveled two-lane road that passes by the Lakewood Theatre and former shopping center commonly known as the Lakewood Colonial Plaza.
Learn more about public art in Lakewood.
Hidden Heroes: Week 1
Lakewood kicked off its Hidden Heroes project this week, celebrating the accomplishments of Clover Park School District student and Lakewood Youth Council member Brandon Elliott and civil rights advocate and leader Ruby Bridges-Hall.
Read more about this week’s heroes and what they’re doing to make a difference in the world and their community.
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Public invited to Chief Zaro retirement party
After nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Lakewood Police Chief Mike Zaro retires next month. We’re hosting a public farewell party for residents, friends, community organizations, and others to help us celebrate him.
Please join us Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 from 6-7 p.m. at Lakewood City Hall in Council Chambers, 6000 Main Street SW. Light refreshments will be served.
The Lakewood City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. As part of its meeting Council will read a proclamation honoring Chief Zaro. The public is encouraged to stay for the recognition.
Council Corner
At its study session Jan. 23, 2023 the Lakewood City Council received an update on the Western State Hospital Master Plan, reviewed an agreement with Pierce College that would transform one of the baseball fields at Fort Steilacoom Park into a collegiate field for use by the college, reviewed a proposed ordinance related to the protection and preservation of public spaces and established the process for interviewing applicants for the vacant City Council Position 6.
Watch the meeting and hear the discussion:
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council will not meet next week. Council’s next meeting is Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW. Tentative agenda items include:
- Proclamation acknowledging Police Chief Mike Zaro for his contributions to the City of Lakewood
- Proclamation declaring the month of February 2023 as Black History Month
- Reports by the Lakewood Youth Council and Clover Park School District Report
- Authorizing the execution of an amendment to an interlocal agreement with Pierce College to Build a Baseball Field at Fort Steilacoom Park
- Setting March 6, 2023 as the date for a public hearing on the request to vacate 113th Street SW, west of Kendrick Street SW
- Authorizing the conversion to, and sale of Lakewood Police Canine Rock as surplus property of the City of Lakewood
- Setting February 21, 2023 as a date for a public hearing related to the surplus and sale of a public works boom truck
- New Business: Review and approve interlocal agreement for West Pierce Fire & Rescue emergency management coalition
- Reports by the City Manager: Review of 3rd Quarter (2022) Financial Report
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.
Road project updates
Progress continues on Lakewood’s two major road improvement projects.
Washington Boulevard (JBLM North Access)
The city’s contractor remains ahead of schedule. Most recently storm drainage installation was completed along Vernon Avenue from Kenwood Drive to Washington Boulevard and along Washington Boulevard between Vernon and Alameda avenues. Crews focused on water main construction this week along Vernon Avenue. That work continues next week on Washington Boulevard between Vernon and Alameda avenues.
Puget Sound Energy relocated its power poles near 83rd Avenue. They’ll continue pole relocation work next week on Alameda Avenue. Lumen also be onsite next week to underground wires at Vernon Avenue. That work will continue over a course of two weeks. Once done they will relocate overhead wires at Alameda Avenue and remove poles from Vernon Avenue. Comcast will also be on site during this work to relocate lines on the poles at 83rd and Alameda avenues.
Once all utility poles are removed, the contractor can complete construction on retaining walls at Alameda Avenue and grade for curbs, sidewalks and roundabouts at Washington Boulevard/Vernon Avenue and Washington Boulevard/Alameda Avenue. Street lighting and irrigation will also be installed.
Steilacoom Boulevard sidewalks
Wall construction is finished, and the city’s contractor is working on the sidewalk on the south side of Steilacoom Boulevard. Crews are also prepping the intersections for upcoming signal improvements.
All non-signal work and lighting additions should be done in a couple of weeks. There will be a down period while we wait for signals and street lighting to arrive, which are impacted by supply chain issues. Once they arrive the final major components of the project will be installed. Final striping and finish work will occur during warmer weather.