On May 10th, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. ARPA provides $350 billion in emergency Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for eligible state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency.
The City of Lakewood is considered a metropolitan city and as such was awarded $13,766,236 in ARPA funding. The funding received through ARPA must be obligated to projects by Dec. 31, 2024. The funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
As of May 31, 2023, the City of Lakewood has obligated 100% of ARPA funding to approved projects.
Tiffany Speir
ARPA Program Manager
(253) 983-7702
[email protected]
Available by phone and email:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ted Thelin
ARPA Program Coordinator
(253) 433-4177
[email protected]
Available by phone and email:
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For ARPA Applications, Program Information, and Subrecipient Technical Assistance:
Please use the links below for more information about applying for ARPA funding through the City of Lakewood and for ARPA program technical assistance to the subrecipients of Lakewood ARPA Funds:
Announcements
Edgewater Park Improvements and Downtown Park Creation
Award: $724,721
The Lakewood city council obligates $724,721 for the creation of a Downtown Park and improvements to Edgewater Park.
Urban Forestry Program
Award: $340,000
The Lakewood City Council obligates $340,000 to the Lakewood Urban Forestry Program. The Urban Forestry Program is the result of recommendations made by the Tree Advisory Committee. More information can be found here.
Camp Murray Boat Launch
Award: $100,000
The Lakewood City Council obligates $100,000 for improvements to the Camp Murray Boat Launch.
9th & 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Museum Labor Day Festival Event
Award: $2,500
The Lakewood City Council obligates $2,500 for the 9th & 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Museum Labor Day Festival Event.
Remaining & Unspent ARPA funds
The Lakewood City Council obligates all remaining and unspent ARPA funds not fully exhausted by December 1, 2026 for any approved ARPA projects or City administration of the ARPA program to the improvements at Edgewater Park and the Creation of a Downtown Park.
The Lakewood City Council obligates $50,000 to Springbrook Connections for the lease and operation of their meeting space.
Award: $50,000
LASA:
Funding contribution towards completion of an affordable housing project
Conditional Award: $1,000,000
The Lakewood City Council conditionally awards $1,000,000 to LASA for the construction of the Gravelly Lake Commons affordable housing project. The award is conditional to the project being fully funded by December 31, 2023 and further resolution by Council.
ARPA Project Awards:
On November 28th, The Lakewood City Council reviewed responses to the September 24th ARPA program Request for Proposals. Three projects have been selected to receive ARPA funding from the City of Lakewood:
Nourish Pierce County:
Purchase and renovation of building for food bank operations
Award: $1,250,000
Conditional Award: $750,000
The Lakewood City Council (Council) awards $1,250,000 to Nourish Pierce County for the purchase and renovation of a building in Lakewood. The building will house a food bank and supportive services for clients.
Council also offers $750,000 in additional funding conditional to Nourish Pierce County successfully raising more funds.
Click here to visit the Nourish Pierce County website
Tacoma Rescue Mission:
Pierce County Community Village – Permanent Supportive Housing
Conditional Award: $1,000,000
Council offers $1,000,000 in conditional funding to the Tacoma Rescue Mission for the Pierce County Community Village permanent supportive housing project. The funding is conditional to Tacoma Rescue Mission successfully raising more funds.
Click here to visit the Tacoma Rescue Mission website
Click here for more information about Community Villages
Emergency Food Network:
Construction of a new Food Storage Warehouse
Award: $750,000
Conditional Award: $250,000
Council awards $750,000 to Emergency Food Network for the construction of a new food storage warehouse in Lakewood.
Council offers $250,000 in additional funding conditional to Emergency Food Network successfully raising more funds.
The application period for the City of Lakewood ARPA program RFPs: Construction of Low-Income Housing, Construction of Emergency Food Bank Capacity, and Construction of Housing and Shelter for Veterans has closed. Please check back for more information about future ARPA funding opportunities.
The City of Lakewood has created three ARPA program RFPs: Construction of Low-Income Housing, Construction of Emergency Food Bank Capacity, and Construction of Housing and Shelter for Veterans. The application period closes at 5:00pm on Monday, October 17th, 2022.
Construction of Housing Units Permanently Affordable to Low-Income Individuals and Families
Construction of Emergency Food Bank Capacity
Construction of Emergency Shelter/Transitional Housing for Veterans and Their Families
An informational session was held for applicants on Thursday, September 29:
As stated at the end of the meeting, the Council decided that it would adopt updated priorities for use of the remaining Lakewood ARPA funds in the near future. Once that process is completed, Lakewood will call for applications or responses to RFPs in keeping with those priorities.
The City Council is wanting to ensure that Lakewood’s remaining ARPA funds are spent on projects that will have a lasting and significant benefit to the City’s residents, and will conduct a new focused application process to do so. Once developed, the application requirements and forms will be provided on this webpage.
About the ARPA Program
Federal ARPA Funds
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 amends Title VI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) by adding the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and allocates those funds to government entities (cities, municipalities, tribal governments, other government entities) by population.
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released information regarding State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) distribution to government entities and eligible uses for SLFRF funds.
The National League of Cities has published an ARPA tracker to provide information about how cities across the country allocate their ARPA funds.
City of Lakewood ARPA Ordinances
Lakewood Ordinance 759 approves the first round of ARPA projects to be funded by the City of Lakewood. Ordinance 759 was adopted by the City Council of the City of Lakewood on Sept 20th, 2021.
Lakewood Ordinance 761 adopts the 2021/2022 Biennial Budget, including revisions to incorporate the ARPA-funded programs adopted by the City Council on September 20th, 2021 via Ordinance 759
Lakewood Ordinance 763 establishes a Special Revenue Fund, “ARPA Fund” in the City’s budget. The City Council has determined that the creation of the ARPA Fund is in the best interest of the City by providing administrative efficiency, reporting, and transparency.
Lakewood Ordinance 779 adopts the 2023-2024 City Budget and obligates ARPA funds for several City expenses.
Motions 2021-80, -81, -82, -83, -102, -104, -105, -106, -108, -109, -110, -111, -112; Motions 2022-99, -100, -101; and Motions 2023-15, -34, -52, and -55 obligate funds for specific ARPA-eligible projects.
Lakewood ARPA Allocations
How much ARPA funding does Lakewood have?
The City of Lakewood was awarded $13,766,236 in ARPA funding. As of May 31, 2023, Lakewood has obligated 100% of ARPA funding to various departments and non-profit entities to provide Covid-19 relief measures to the public. All ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026.
How are Lakewood’s ARPA funds allocated?
Boys & Girls Club Programming
The Lakewood Boys & Girls Club is running several youth mental health and social programs.
Allocated: $ 237,374.00
Spent: $ 226,070.32
Clover Park School District – Youth Mental Health Program
The Clover Park School District is providing mental health services and workshops for students and their families.
Allocated: $ 71,400.00
Spent: $ 41,299.04
Communities in Schools – Warriors of Change
Warriors of Change is a leadership development and project-based learning program which prepares students for next steps in schooling, career development, and beyond.
Allocated: $ 71,873.00
Spent: $ 34,170.00
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides books to children up to 5 years old. Children keep the books provided by the project. The program is being overseen by the Lakewood Rotary Club.
Allocated: $ 77,426.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Northwest Youth Corp Youth Employment Program
Northwest Youth Corp is running several youth employment and job-training programs.
Allocated: $ 84,000.00
Spent: $ 33,385.85
YMCA Summer Day Camp
This program funds a summer day camp program offered at the Lakewood YMCA.
Allocated: $ 409,500.00
Spent: $ 14,362.34
YMCA Little Learners Summer Learning Academies
This program funds an educational child care program at the Lakewood YMCA.
Allocated: $ 165,375.00
Spent: $ 6,460.00
YMCA Water Safety Classes
This program funds water safety classes at the Lakewood YMCA.
Allocated: $ 157,500.00
Spent: $ 0.00
YMCA Direct
This program covers other costs related to the programs provided at the Lakewood YMCA.
Allocated: $ 36,997.00
Spent: $ 0.00
HVAC Coolers
This program is for HVAC updates to the Lakewood City Hall building.
Allocated: $ 525,000.00
Spent: $ 5,145.51
Energy Audit
City Hall boilers and other equipment will be updated or replaced as necessary.
Allocated: $ 500,000
Spent: $ 0.00
Lakewood City Hall Reconfiguration Study
A study will be performed to reduce the physical footprint of Lakewood employees. Space made available through this study will be repurposed at a later date.
Allocated: $ 105,000.00
Spent: $ 89,222.60
Lakewood City Hall Reader Boards
This program will fund multi-function reader boards at Lakewood City Hall to better communicate information to people seeking services.
Allocated: $ 320,000.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Lakewood Municipal Court Technology Upgrade
This program updates technology within the Lakewood Municipal Court to provide more accessible court services.
Allocated: $ 141,750.00
Spent: $ 140,587.76
Lakewood City Website Multilingual Accessibility
The City of Lakewood website is being updated to provide more accessibility and better translation into commonly used languages.
Allocated: $ 35,000.00
Spent: $ 15,050.76
Springbrook Connections Facility Improvments
Funds for the cost of office space and operational support for the Springbrook Connections organization.
Allocated: $ 50,000.00
Spent: $ 25,145.42
9th & 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Museum
Funds to support the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers Museum 2023 Labor Day Event.
Allocated: $ 2,500.00
Spent: $ 2,500.00
Nourish Pierce County – Building Purchase and Renovation Contribution
Nourish Pierce County needs more space for food bank operations in Lakewood. Lakewood’s ARPA funding contributes to their larger efforts to purchase and renovate a new space to better serve Lakewood residents.
Allocated: $ 1,250,000.00; $750,000.00 conditional
Spent: $ 1,250,000.00
Emergency Food Network – Warehouse Construction Contribution
Emergency Food Network is constructing a new warehouse to provide more services to residents of Lakewood. Lakewood’s ARPA funding contributes to their larger efforts to construct a new warehouse.
Allocated: $ 750,000.00; $250,000.00 conditional
Spent: $ 0.00
LIHI Comfort Inn Purchase – Aspen Court Emergency Shelter
The City of Lakewood, the City of Tacoma, and Pierce County pooled resources to purchase the Comfort Inn building on Hosmer Avenue. It has been converted to an emergency shelter and will become permanent supportive housing in the future. The City of Lakewood contributed $1,050,000.00 to this project. Included in the total contribution is a $700,000 bridge loan. The loan has been returned to the city.
Allocated: $ 1,050,000.00
Spent: $ 1,000,000.00
Bridge Loan Returned: -$700,000.00
Total Expenditure to date: $300,000.00
Habitat for Humanity – Boat Street Project
Habitat for Humanity is building homes in the Tillicum neighborhood. This project will provide updates to infrastructure on and around Boat Street in Tillicum to support new housing.
Allocated: $ 254,100.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Rebuilding Together South Sound (RTSS) – Rebuilding Healthy Neighborhoods
RTSS performs outreach in underserved communities to connect people with essential services like food banks and home repairs.
Allocated: $ 341,250.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Tacomaprobono Eviction Prevention Legal Services
Tacomaprobono provides provides free legal aid and direct representation to low-income tenants to address the negative economic impacts caused to households in Lakewood during the Covid-19 health emergency.
Allocated: $ 472,500.00
Spent: $ 294,999.74
Tacoma Rescue Mission – Pierce County Community Village
Tacoma Rescue Mission is overseeing the development of a Community Village. The community village will serve residents of Lakewood struggling with homelessness.
Click here for more information on community villages
Allocated: $ 1,000,000.00 conditional
Spent: $ 0.00
American Lake Park Improvements
Funds for park hand washing stations reallocated to improvements at American Lake Park.
Allocated: $ 78,750.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Edgewater Park Improvements & Downtown Park
Funding for improvements to Edgewater Park found in draft master plan. Funding for the creation of a Downtown Park.
Allocated: $ 724,721.00
Spent: $ 0.00
American Lake Camp Murray Boat Launch Master Plan
Funding to complete an American Lake Boat Launch Master Plan to allow the City and Camp Murray to apply for further grants.
Allocated: $ 100,000.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Urban Forestry Program
Funds to create an Urban Forestry Program and operation of the program through 2026.
Allocated: $ 340,000.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Lakewood Human Resources Temporary Staffing for COVID-19 Tracing
This program funds the City of Lakewood Human Resources department’s Covid-19 tracing efforts.
Allocated: $ 32,162.00
Spent: $ 3,132.95
Lakewood Police Department Retention Payments
One-time retention payments made to qualifying Lakewood Police Officers.
Allocated: $ 669,375.00
Spent: $ 607,500.00
Lakewood Police Department Body Camera Staff & Hardware Costs
This program funds equipment and setup costs related to the Lakewood Police Department Body Camera program.
Allocated: $ 102,904.00
Spent: $ 102,904.00
Lakewood Police Department Body Cameras Admin Costs
This program funds administrative costs related to the Lakewood Police Department Body Camera program.
Allocated: $ 768,490
Spent: $ 279,415.28
Emergency Services Advanced Warning System
This program funds translation services and technology upgrades related to emergency warning and alert systems.
Allocated: $ 13,331.00
Spent: $ 1,064.71
West Pierce Fire and Rescue – Emergency Communications Equipment
This project is funding updates to communications equipment used by West Pierce Fire and Rescue. This includes equipment for emergency communications as well as communications equipment for training and meetings.
Allocated: $ 241,500.00
Spent: $ 158,089.75
Career Team Workforce Central – Workforce Development Program
Career Team is running a workforce development program that includes outreach and events to connect workers and employers.
Allocated: $ 73,146.00
Spent: $ 0.00
Pierce County Business Accelerator Contribution
The Pierce County Business Accelerator provides direct access to business resources like training, coaching, technical assistance, and networking support to launch and grow micro businesses in Pierce County.
Allocated: $ 525,000.00
Spent: $ 500,000.00
Lakewood ARPA Program Administrative Indirect Costs
Lakewood’s projected indirect costs of administering the ARPA program.
Allocated: $ 688,312.00
Spent: $ 154,480.55
Community Engagement
In the Summer and Fall of 2021, the City reached out to community groups, cultural centers, members of the faith-based community, military and veteran-focused groups, school districts, businesses, chambers of commerce, utility providers, and citizens. People were asked how they felt emergency funding could be spent to help Lakewood and its citizens respond to the COVID-19 emergency.
For ARPA Applications, Program Information, and Subrecipient Technical Assistance:
Please use the links below for more information about applying for ARPA funding through the City of Lakewood and for ARPA program technical assistance to the subrecipients of Lakewood ARPA Funds: