See you Saturday at the Fiesta!
Fiesta de la Familia is taking over Fort Steilacoom Park Saturday from 12-6 p.m.
Head to the park to enjoy a day filled with rich cultural traditions from different countries representing and celebrating Hispanic heritage. There will be live performances on the Pavilion stage, an opportunity to learn traditional dances, and free activities for all.
Children are encouraged to wear a costume or dress in traditional attire to celebrate their heritage and participate in the Children’s Parade. The parade will be led by Alma from PBS Kids. Participants will walk through the park at 3 p.m. Those who want to participate/walk in the parade should gather at the Pavilion at 2:45 p.m.
New to the event this year is a performance by horses and riders from the Skagit Latin Dancing Horses Association. They begin at 1 p.m.
Bring a photo of a loved one to honor them at the community offrenda. Or make a marigold and borrow a tea light from the City of Lakewood booth to leave at the offering.
Other activities include:
- Tree of Life
- Student art displays
- Art displays by local Latino/a artists
- Interactive poetry station
- Face painting
- Roaming entertainment
- Dancing
- Food trucks
Enter a vehicle in the Night Owl’s car show at the Fiesta. This year’s theme is “Trunk or Treat”. There are 25 awards up for grabs, including Best in Show. Move in is 11 a.m. Awards will be announced 4 p.m. Day-of registration is $25. Payment is accepted the day of the show.
Find the full schedule of events online.
Interim Lakewood Library to open next week
The Pierce County Library System announced this week it is ready to welcome residents to the interim Lakewood Pierce County Library, starting Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
Located at 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., the library will be open seven days a week and will offer full services including being a central gathering place for people of all ages to enjoy.
The 7,500 square foot library will provide learning resources and classes for all ages; deliver books, materials, and events for enjoyment; and offer community meeting spaces to gather.
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.
The first work party is Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. 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. Exact meeting location will be provided after signing up..
Artist Reception: Souls & Stories
Lakewood’s final artist reception of 2024 features local artists Sylvi Estrella and Laurie Davenport. Meet the artists, view their work and enjoy refreshments and live music at Lakewood City Hall, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 from 5-7 p.m.
The duo’s exhibit: Souls & Stories, focuses on the art of people. Estrella and Davenport share a passion for creating stories through paintings and images that reflect the soul of the person, young or seasoned. This is where “art comes to life,” Estrella says.
Desserts on the Driveway
“Desserts on the Driveway” is a new innovative initiative connecting Mayor Jason Whalen and Lakewood City Council members with different Lakewood neighborhoods.
This event offers residents a platform to voice concerns, share ideas for solutions, and gain insight into city services. Upcoming events are:
- Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m.: Tillicum Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave. SW
- Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.: Lake City (former elementary school site)
Council Corner: Sept. 3 meeting recap
Proclamation declaring September 11, 2024 as Patriot Day and Day of Remembrance. The Lakewood City Council read a proclamation declaring Sept. 11, 2024 as Patriot Day and Day of Remembrance in Lakewood and encouraged Lakewood residents to hold a moment of silence on Sept. 11 to honor those who were killed in the terrorist attacks in 2001. Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith and West Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief Jim Sharp accepted the proclamation.
Proclamation recognizing National Hispanic Heritage month. Councilmember Patti Belle read a proclamation declaring Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, 2024 as National Hispanic Heritage Month and presented it to Abraham Moreno, small business owners of Sugar Bones Tacos, located in Lakewood.
Business Showcase: Burs Restaurant. The Lakewood City Council presented the September Business Showcase to Bur’s Restaurant for its longevity in the community and its dedication to serving its customers.
Two public hearings were held. One on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and the other on the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Program funding.
Reports by the City Manager: Addressing repeat offenders in Municipal Court. At a February 2024 study session, the City Council considered an ordinance to address persistent offenders with lengthy jail sentences. The city’s legal department conducted an analysis of other jurisdictions and legislation aimed at further penalizing repeat offenders. The analysis was compared against the case load in Lakewood Municipal Court to determine if it would have an impact on repeat offenders. Ultimately the legal department determined it would not, and recommended not moving forward with an ordinance to address it.
The City Council acted on the following:
- Appointed Gregory Wraggs to serve on the Community Services Advisory Board through December 15, 2028.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 for a study session at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:
- Joint Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board meeting
- Review of 2nd Quarter (2024) Financial Report
- 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review Discussion
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.
Last week’s City Manager’s Bulletin did not include the Police Chief’s Corner summary for Aug. 6-13. It is provided below, along with the Aug. 13-20 summary.
Weekly Summary, Aug. 27-Sept. 3, 2024
- Calls for Service: 998
- Arrests: 49
- Violent Crime: 34
- Property Crime: 73
- Traffic Stops: 126
- Collisions (reportable): 23
Comprehensive Plan review
TheCity of Lakewood began its required periodic review of its Comprehensive Plan in September 2022. That work included public meetings and review by the Lakewood Planning Commission of new planning documents and policies and new regulatory documents.
The Planning Commission sent its recommendation to the Lakewood City Council at its July 10, 2024 meeting. The City Council began its review of the recommendation July 22, 2024 at a study session.
The City Council will continue its review of the proposed changes and updates on the following dates. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.:
- Sept. 9 Study Session.
- Sep. 16 Regular Meeting. The Lakewood City Council is expected to take final action on the update at this meeting.
Community events
Save the date: Harvest Hoedown at the H-Barn
Partners for Parks is hosting a “Harvest Hoedown” Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. to help raise money for 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.
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 City’s contractor has completed the pile cap replacements and is completing the work on the timber stringers. Starting as early as next week, Quigg Brothers will be replacing multiple pedestrian/guardrail posts and timber curb sections. Once all work is complete, the bridge will be reopened to traffic by end of this month.
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.
Hipkins Road
Hipkins is closed from 104th to Cross Lane and will remain closed through the duration of the rest of the work; detours are in place. The contractor is working on final water system tie-ins (new main being connected to the existing main). A portion of the concrete work has been completed and the remaining concrete work could start early as today6. Trench line asphalt patching is complete. Pavement grinding will start early next week and final paving on Tuesday, Sept. 17 (weather dependent).
Farwest Drive, Safe Routes to School
Work is paused while waiting for the new pedestrian luminaires to be delivered (anticipated for late fall). Crews are on site installing permanent signage, cleaning the site, and completing punchlist items.
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
Remaining work includes the installation of a new signal bridge. The City received notification this week that the new anticipated shipping date of the signal bridge is Sept. 27.
84th and Pine
The contractor installed the new signals; Opticom and video detection installation remain.