New Building Code Amendments
The Lakewood City Council adopted amendments to the city’s building code at its March 4, 2024, regular meeting. The updates go into effect March 15, 2024.
The changes reflect amendments made to the International Building Code. The International Building Code amendments were adopted in 2021, however they were not implemented immediately due to multiple court cases. There is a likelihood that additional amendments may be necessary, pending the outcome of a lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court.
Apartments proposed for Lakewood Towne Center
The City of Lakewood recently received an application from Alliance Residential to redevelop 10.37 acres of the Lakewood Towne Center into a master planned residential apartment complex.
There has been a lot of conversation around this proposal on social media. In some instances, people believe the project is a city project and that it is already approved.
The property where the redevelopment is proposed is privately owned by Kite Realty. The city is not involved with the project. The city’s involvement in the project is an administrative capacity tied to application review, permitting, and ensuring the project meets all requirements tied to the building code and the city’s zoning.
Because this project is more intensive through the master planning process, it will go before the city’s Hearing Examiner. A date is not yet set for when this public Hearing Examiner meeting will be held, but the city expects it could be some time in May. Once the date is announced it will be shared publicly.
Learn more about what is proposed. See the application filed with the city.
Retail Theft Emphasis results in 20 arrests
Last week the Lakewood Police Department’s property crime team conducted a retail emphasis patrol in the Lakewood Towne Center and surrounding retail area.
The purpose of the emphasis was to catch people shoplifting, return stolen merchandise and ultimately deter people from stealing from local businesses in the future.
Over the course of the emphasis that started mid-afternoon Friday, March 1, 2024, police arrested 20 people. Of those, 18 were booked into jail. Three of the people had active felony cases. Police also found a stolen handgun.
In total, the team was able to recover $4,160.99 in stolen items. The emphasis spanned from Lakewood Towne Center businesses to Lowe’s off 100th Street SW.
Lakewood police will continue to hold these dedicated theft emphasis patrols throughout the city to deter crime and hold people accountable for their illegal actions.
Palmer Scholars Legacy Scholarship
The application period is open for youth to apply for the Palmer Scholars Legacy Scholarship.
The Legacy Program serves current high school juniors within Pierce County that are interested in furthering their education beyond high school. Palmer Scholars goes above and beyond to ensure the success of its Scholars, and participation in its program requires a high level of commitment.
To be eligible for the Legacy Program, you must:
- Identify as a person of color.
- Be a high school junior attending a high school in Pierce County.
- Be actively involved in your school and community.
- Have at minimum a 2.0 GPA
- Demonstrate financial need (free/reduced lunch eligible)
Learn more about the program, its time commitment, how to get help completing the application and fill out the application at the Palmer Scholars website.
Pierce County Library Survey
The Pierce County Library System is conducting a survey and needs input from residents to help it develop a new strategic plan. Share your thoughts on things like:
- What do you enjoy?
- What complicates your life?
- What’s important to you?
- How can the Library System be part of your life and your neighbors’ lives?
With the community’s input, the Library System will match its services to what matters in people’s lives. Take the survey in person at one of the Pierce County Library branches, or find it online here. The survey closes March 31, 2024.
Council Corner: March 4, 2024, recap
March 2024 is American Red Cross Month. The Lakewood City Council issued a proclamation Monday recognizing the American Red Cross and its volunteers and thanking them for their continued commitment and dedication to helping those in need during difficult times. Read the proclamation.
March 2024 is Women’s History Month. The City Council issued a proclamation recognizing the month of March as Women’s History Month and celebrated the contributions of women to society throughout history. They also thanked the 81 female employees within the City of Lakewood, who makeup 37% of the city’s workforce. Lakewood Deputy City Manager Tho Kraus accepted the proclamation.
Recognizing 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program Participants. The City Council presented certificates of appreciation to Clover Park School District students who participated in the city’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. video series this year, thanking them for their contributions.
The City Council acted on the following items:
- Authorized the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Pierce County Rural Library District to identify the roles and responsibilities of the City and the Library as they relate to the ownership, transfer, handling, and storage of the Douglas Fir section of tree
- Authorized the execution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in support of the Pierce County Village for chronically homeless
- Held a public hearing to consider the vacation of the 20-foot-wide alley abutting Lots 1 through 14, Block 69 Town Plat of Lakeview
- Adopted an ordinance approving International Building Code amendments
- Adopted an ordinance adopting a new section of the Lakewood Municipal Code, Chapter 1.22 City Flag Policy
Watch the meeting.
What’s on deck. The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, March 11, 2024, at 7 p.m. for a study session in Council Chambers.
Tentative agenda items include:
- Neighborhood Connections: Program Coordinator Role and Work Plan
- 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review Update
- Review of Six-Year (2024-2030) Financial Forecast
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 share 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, Feb. 27-March 5, 2024
- Calls for Service: 863
- Arrests: 46
- Violent Crime: 28
- Property Crime: 74
- Traffic Stops: 98
- Collisions (reportable): 24
Community events
Lakewood Multicultural Coalition Gala
The second annual Dr. Claudia Thoma Community Service Award Gala is Friday, March 15, 2024 at 7 p.m. The community is invited to attend to enjoy a festive evening, delicious cuisine, and live performances by Michael Powers and Josephine Howell. King 5 reporter Lionel Donovan will serve as emcee.
The event is at the McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College. Cost is $75/person, or $1,000/eight person table.
Learn more about the Lakewood Multicultural Coalition and find ticket information.
Sign up for Lakewood Alert
The City of Lakewood uses an alert service to notify residents of important information. If there is an emergency in the city 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.
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
Washington Boulevard
Hydroseeding will occur this month. Striping is the final item for the project. For striping to go down, the temperature must be 45 degrees and the surface must be completely dry for 24 hours to apply the plastic pavement marking. This will occur in late April.
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
Pre-level and pavement patching began this week and is expected to take place next week. Crews will top it off later this month. The road will reopen once the top off is done later this month. A four-way stop sign-controlled intersection will be in place at Ardmore/Whitman/93rd. It will stay this way until delivery of the new traffic signal bridge at the intersection is expected to arrive in late 2024. The bridge will require closure of the intersection for a week at that time.
Hipkins Road
Next Thursday, March 14 104th Street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the west side of Hipkins Road for construction work. The road must be closed for this work to occur, it is not safe to allow vehicles through. Water main replacement connections continued this week. Grading of the roadway will begin with a third crew within the next few weeks in preparation for curb and sidewalk installation.
84th and Pine
Crews continued to install the sidewalk. Paving remains scheduled for late March.