Lakewood Manager’s Bulletin: Dec. 29, 2023

Happy New Year

A sparkler gives off sparks in a photo. White text over the image reads Happy New Year from the City of Lakewood.

As we say goodbye to 2023 we want to wish all in Lakewood a very Happy New Year.

Please note: Lakewood City Hall and the Lakewood police station will close at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. They will remain closed through Jan. 1, 2024 in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday. Regular operations resume Jan. 2, 2024.

While the front lobby of the Lakewood police station is closed, it does not impact police patrols. Lakewood police officers are working regular shifts during the holidays.


Council Corner: 2024 Meeting Schedule

The Lakewood City Council resumes its meeting schedule with a regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Tentative agenda items include:

  • Swearing-in ceremony
  • Nomination and election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
  • Proclamation declaring Jan. 15, 2024 as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
  • Reports by the Lakewood Youth Council and Clover Park School Board
  • Authorizing the execution of an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Pierce Transit for police services
  • Authorization of acceptance of $68,000 from the Washington State Office of Public Defense grant program for 2024-2025
  • Authorizing the execution of an amendment to the agreement for planning review  
  • Authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Perteet, Inc. in the amount of $100,983.00, for design services related to the 112th Street SW and Idlewild Road SW projects

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.


Save the date: 2024 Welcome Walk

A family walks around Waughop Lake in Lakewood with young children and a stroller for the 2023 Welcome Walk.

We’re excited to host our second Welcome Walk at Fort Steilacoom Park Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. In partnership with the Clover Park School District, we are offering this event for people to meet their neighbors.

Whether you are a new Lakewood resident or have lived here your whole life, this event is a great chance to meet new people. We’ll have group walks around Waughop Lake that will leave throughout the day, music, a couple food trucks for lunch and sweet treats. There will also be community partners, a scavenger hunt for kids and free giveaways of Love Lakewood hats and scarves to the first 100 people who stop by the City of Lakewood tent.

Join us Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park, 8714 87th Avenue SW. Look for us over by the large picnic shelter just past the playground.


Register today for 2024 City of Lakewood Wellness programs

People do yoga inside the Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park

We added 15 multi-week classes to our recreation program opportunities.

Most classes begin the second week of January. Registration closes Jan. 4, so don’t delay – sign up today! Classes that do not have enough people signed up by the registration deadline will be canceled.

Find class descriptions, session dates and costs online. Each class has a link to register using ActiveNet.


Calling all artists: Utility Wrap designs

Lakewood high school student Sam Reed poses next to the two signal boxes that hold his artistic design in Lakewood at the corner of 96th Street SW and South Tacoma Way SW.
Lakewood resident and high school student Sam Reed stands with his signal box design in Lakewood.

Do you have an original design you think would look good on a utility box in the City of Lakewood? Submit your work for review and consideration. Art work must be able to be digitally reproduced.

Submit an application by Feb. 20, 2024 by emailing Sally Martinez at [email protected].

Find out more in this call for artists application (PDF).


Community Events

Winter Solstice at Lakewold Gardens

This is the last weekend to enjoy Winter Solstice at Lakewold Gardens. The event presents a celebration of light featuring art, music and literature from diverse traditions.

Tickets and more information.


Sign up for Lakewood Alert

Lakewood Alert

The City of Lakewood uses an alert service: Lakewood Alert to notify residents of important information. If there is an emergency in the city that requires public notification, we will use this alert system to send out information related to the emergency.

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.


Work for the city of Lakewood

City of Lakewood We're Hiring

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

Washington Boulevard

The City’s contractor is near the end of this project and expected to continue finishing the remaining concrete work in the coming weeks, which is weather dependent.

Ardmore/Whitman/93rd

Ardmore remains closed while crews work on stormwater infrastructure. They will also begin grading for concrete curbing. Whitman Avenue and 93rd Street remain open. Local traffic on Ardmore should continue to use Lexington as access to Ardmore.

Hipkins Road

Hipkins is closed between Angle Lane and Steilacoom Boulevard. Initial work is installation of a new water main. Residents should continue to use the posted detour route, or find alternate routes. The detour uses 104th to the portion of Hipkins that is open, to Angle Lane, to Elwood Drive, 87th Avenue and Steilacoom Boulevard.

Union Ave: Orchard to Spruce Street

Minor traffic impacts will occur when the street lights are installed.


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