Final summer concert is Tuesday
It’s been a fantastic summer concert season, but sadly all good things must come to an end. The final Summer Nights at the Pavilion free summer concert is Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Please join us for Grupo Fuerza M, a regional Mexican and Pirekuas band playing dance music. They joined us for SummerFEST, so if you missed them now’s the time to check them out!
And don’t forget to stop by the Lakewood Farmers Market before the concert to grab fresh produce, purchase one of a kind items and grab dinner for the concert.
Check out photos from our summer concerts on our Facebook event page.
Save the date: Fiesta de la Familia is Sept. 9
Last year our Fiesta de la Familia was such a hit we decided we needed more room to spread out all the fun. This year’s event is Saturday, Sept. 9 at Fort Steilacoom Park from 12 to 7 p.m.
This celebration is focused on family and bringing generations together. There will be free activities for children, live music, live performances from various community organizations, a judged art show, car show, mural unveiling, roaming entertainment, food, beer garden and more.
- Register for the car show before Aug. 31 and get a discount on registration fees. (Pre-registration is $20; day-of registration is $25).
- Bring the kids to make sugar skull drawings, balloon art and participate in other arts and crafts.
- Share creativity by adding poetry to the poetry tree.
- Bring items to place at the Offrenda, or purchase items to honor loved ones at the event.
- Visit the Print NW booth to see photos of all the utility box wraps recently added around the city and vote on your favorite.
- Snap a selfie with Alma from KBTC TV’s Alma’s Way!
Performances kick-off at 12 p.m. with a salsa dance party and the fun continues into the afternoon and evening. Learn more.
Council Corner: Aug. 21, 2023 recap
At its meeting Monday, the Lakewood City Council took action on three items aimed at drug use prevention, increasing affordable housing in the city and assisting residents facing eviction.
Council authorized an agreement with the state Healthcare Authority to support Lakewood’s CHOICE. The City of Lakewood is now the fiscal agent of a two-year grant to support Lakewood’s CHOICE. Lakewood’s CHOICE is a substance abuse prevention coalition. CHOICE staff work with the Clover Park School District and other community partners to implement programs and services aimed at substance abuse prevention among youth. The City Council supports youth services and programming; authorizing the agreement aligns with Council goals.
Council approved the allocation of more than $2 million to the Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) Gravelly Lake Commons affordable housing project. The money will support the development of the organization’s planned 25-unit complex, providing much-needed affordable units in Lakewood.
In an effort to keep six Lakewood residents housed who were facing eviction, the City Council authorized the expenditure of $74,855. The city used money from its collection of the state affordable housing sales tax credit program. The city receives an estimated $98,000 a year through this collection. It is dedicated to assist with affordable and supportive housing.
At the end of July, Lakewood housing program staff learned the Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) did not file a timely application with Pierce County for funding to support its housing assistance program. Six Lakewood clients were directly affected and faced eviction. LASA stepped up and covered housing costs for August. But the residents need assistance for 11 more months. They qualify because their income is below the 30% of area median income threshold.
Finally, Council authorized an agreement with Tacoma-Pierce County Habitat for Humanity for $159,000 for a sewer extension to its American Lake Townhomes housing development.
The Lakewood City Council also took action on the following items:
- Reappointed James Hairston to serve on the Public Safety Advisory Committee through Aug. 6, 2026
- Ratified and certified the Proclamation of Emergency executed by the City Manager on Aug. 16, 2023
Council also heard an update from the City Manager about a study that looked at whether Lakewood City Hall could be reconfigured. The reconfiguration would have consolidated city services and opened up space to lease to outside parties. After review it was ultimately determined the cost was too high and the space too restrictive to consolidate and reconfigure.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Aug. 28, 2023 at 7 p.m. for a study session. Tentative agenda items include:
- Presentation of City of Lakewood Brand Guide and Communications & Marketing Operational Plan
- 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review Update: Transportation & Utilities
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
Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith wants Lakewood residents to know how the department is working for them. Each week he shares statistics that include a weekly look at total calls for service and the types of crimes reported and responded to by police.
The intent of the summary is to share a snapshot of how the department works each week keep the community safe. To see quarterly statistical analysis, visit the Lakewood Police Department crime statistics page on the city website.
Weekly Summary, Aug. 15-22, 2023
- Calls for Service: 1,022
- Arrests: 37
- Violent Crime: 26
- Property Crime: 82
- Traffic Stops: 106
- Collisions (reportable): 12
Do you ‘know when to go’ in an emergency?
With recent wildfires and corresponding smoke inundating our region on people’s minds, the four Western Washington counties of King, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston are joining forces, along with partners, to launch a regional “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation campaign.
This initiative aims to simplify evacuation messages to the public. These clear, straightforward messages are intended to save lives as people prepare to evacuate. The campaign launched this week, and our partners at West Pierce Fire & Rescue and our West Pierce Emergency Management Coalition will continue to share this information to help people “know when to go”.
Learn the evacuation levels and read more.
Lakewold Gardens: Rockin’ the Rhodies
Grab a blanket or lawn chair and gather on the large Flag Lawn on Saturday Sept. 4 at Lakewold Gardens for a final outdoor summer concert. Groove to the Grit City Sax Quartet whose cool sounds span from Bach and Dvořák to movie themes and pop rock. Doors open at 3 p.m. The quartet takes the stage at 4 p.m. Come early to enjoy the gardens! Food and beverages and a special selection of rhododendron plants will be available for purchase. Tickets: $20 general admission; kids 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets.
Commencement Bay Rowing Club
Commencement Bay Rowing Club is enrolling athletes for its Juniors rowing program, which practices on American Lake. The program is open to anyone who previously qualified as a novice, rising eighth graders and high school youth, including 12th graders.
The club has a novice and varsity program. Practices begin Sept. 5 and are held in the afternoon 3:45-5:45 p.m. out of the rowing club’s boathouse at Harry Todd Park located on American Lake. Learn more about the program and how to register.
Join the Parks & Rec Advisory Board
Are you looking to get involved with the City of Lakewood? We have two vacancies on our Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Board members serve in a volunteer capacity and advise the City Council on matters related to parks and recreation within the city.
Members must be Lakewood residents and able to attend regular meetings. Learn about the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and find the application here. Deadline to apply is Sept. 6 by 5 p.m.
Work for the city of Lakewood
We’re hiring! Looking to change careers? Looking for a new job? Ready to re-enter the job market?
Join the city of Lakewood! We have a variety of positions open across multiple departments.
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
112th Street Sidewalks
Project is complete except for the installation of streetlights. The equipment is expected to arrive this fall with installation occurring in November.
Washington Boulevard
This week crews graded for the installation of curbs. They also poured the circular island barrier and rolled curbs at Washington Boulevard and Lake City Boulevard and Washington Boulevard and 83rd. Outside curb and gutter were poured along Washington between Lake City and 83rd. Crews will grade the roundabout and sidewalk areas next week for pour the following week, then shift to the last segment: Washington between 83rd and Interlaaken Drive.
Angle Lane/Elwood Drive
This project is complete with the exception of striping, minor landscaping and street lighting. These items are expected to be completed within the next two weeks.
Union Ave: Orchard to Spruce Street
The City’s contractor will be on site the week of Sept. 11 (note the date change). Construction begins that week. This project will construct curbs, sidewalks and street lighting on the side of Union Avenue closet to Interstate 5. It will be a quick project, taking no more than 6-7 weeks to complete.