City Manager's Weekly Bulletin June 28, 2024

Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: June 21, 2024

Lakewood operations closed July 4 Lakewood City Hall and the Lakewood police station are closed Thursday, July 4 in observation of the Fourth of July holiday. Regular operations resume Friday, July 5. Lakewood police officers will perform regular duties. Celebrate safely this Fourth of July Yes, fireworks are allowed in Lakewood, but only on July 4 between the hours of …

Postcard mailer that went to homes in June 2024. It says "Do you own property on a lake or stream in Lakewood?"

Do you own property on a lake or stream shoreline in Lakewood?

June 20, 2024 New buffer requirements for lakes and streams are part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review under review by the Lakewood Planning Commission. The Planning Commission wants to hear from property owners who own land within 200 feet of a lake or stream shoreline. The proposed changes, which are required, may affect how you can develop your …

City Manager's Weekly Bulletin June 14, 2024

Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: June 14, 2024

Join us for a Juneteenth Celebration Saturday The public is invited to Lakewood City Hall on Saturday, June 15 from 3-5 p.m., for a community celebration of Juneteenth. What is Juneteenth? This federal and state holiday marks the date (June 19) in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the United States. Today …

People dance in the field of The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park for the City of Lakewood's Summer Nights at the Pavilion concert series.

Summer Nights at the Pavilion kicks off Tuesday

June 14, 2024 Lakewood’s outdoor summer concert season kicks off Tuesday (June 18, 2024) with a Classic Rock performance from House Band of Lakewood. Join us this season for a great concert lineup. Fan favorites like Chapter 5 and Wally & The Beavs are back, along with new bands showcasing a variety of musical genres. Set up lawn chairs or …

The Big One, a large Douglas fir round, is lifted by a crane out of the roof of the old Lakewood library building on June 13, 2024.

‘The Big One’ gets a new home in Fort Steilacoom Park

June 13, 2024 For nearly 60 years a massive Douglas fir round sat perched atop a cement stand in an enclosure at the entrance of the Pierce County Library System’s Lakewood library branch on Wildaire Road SW. Today, the Tenzler Log, affectionately called “The Big One”, found a new home. With ease and skill, a crew from Omega Morgan used …

Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: June 7, 2024

Interlaaken Bridge update After reviewing five options to repair the damaged Interlaaken Bridge at its regular meeting June 3, 2024, the Lakewood City Council directed the Public Works Engineering Department to move forward with repairs that will have the bridge back open by September 2024. The options reviewed ranged in estimated project costs from $467,000 to $2.8 million. The City …

Stacey Reding, Capital Projects Manager for Lakewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services holds an award with the Lakewood City Council after the city was recognized for its Springbrook Park improvements.

Lakewood recognized for Springbrook Park improvements

June 7, 2024 The City of Lakewood recently received the 2024 Spotlight Award from the Washington Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA) for the development and renovation of Springbrook Park.  The Spotlight Award highlights excellence and achievement in the field of parks and recreation by honoring the efforts of public agencies for projects that display the highest standards in design, development, …

A do not enter sign placed in front of the Interlaaken Bridge that closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on May 17, 2024.

Update: Interlaaken Bridge repairs planned

June 4, 2024 After reviewing five options to repair the damaged Interlaaken Bridge at its regular meeting June 3, 2024, the Lakewood City Council directed the Public Works Engineering Department to move forward with repairs that will have the bridge back open by this September. The options reviewed ranged in estimated project costs from $467,000 to $2.8 million. The City …

City Manager's Bulletin May 24, 2024

Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin: May 24, 2024

Recognizing Memorial Day Memorial Day is a day of reflection. It is a day to give thanks and show our gratitude to those in American who stepped up to serve their country. Whether they volunteered or were drafted into service, they paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and help others in need. This Memorial Day we recognize and …

A do not enter sign placed in front of the Interlaaken Bridge that closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on May 17, 2024.

Interlaaken Bridge emergency closure

May 17, 2024 The Interlaaken Bridge is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The closure will remain in place indefinitely. The full closure is the result of further analysis by a contracted structural engineering firm that identified a high rate of deterioration among wood beams that comprise the bridge structure. The city previously replaced some of the beams during …

Map of the Interlaaken Bridge closure from May 2024

Interlaaken Bridge emergency closure required

May 15, 2024 Starting Thursday, May 16, 2024 the Interlaaken Bridge will be reduced to one way traffic. This emergency closure is required due to recently discovered structural deficiencies. Traffic will only be allowed to drive one way on the bridge from east to west. This means traffic crossing the bridge to head toward Lakewood Towne Center is not allowed …

From left to right: Lakewood City Manager John Caulfield, Lakewood Deputy Mayor Mary Moss, South Sound Military and Communities Partnership Director Bill Adamson, former Lakewood City Councilmember John Simpson and Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen

Deputy Mayor Mary Moss, Lakewood leaders, inducted into JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame

April 1, 2024 Lakewood Deputy Mayor Mary Moss was inducted into the JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame March 27, 2024. She shared the honor with South Sound Military and Communities Partnership Director Bill Adamson and former Lakewood City Councilmember and career journalist John Simpson. The three inductees have played an instrumental role in the success of Lakewood and the surrounding …

The Lakewood City Council presented the March 2024 Business Showcase to Casa Mia Italian Restaurant owners Gerald and Jamie Pense at its March 18, 2024 regular meeting.

March 2024 Business Showcase: Casa Mia Italian Restaurant

March 22, 2024 Casa Mia Italian Restaurant owners Gerald and Jamie Pense grew up in the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area near the original Casa Mia. In fact, Gerald lived only two blocks from the restaurant. When he was a teenager, his first job was at the restaurant. Today, the Penses are proud owners of the Lakewood Casa Mia Italian Restaurant. They’ve owned …

Cover of the Spring 2024 Lakewood Connections magazine

Lakewood Spring Connections in homes now

March 15, 2024 The Spring 2024 Lakewood Connections magazine was mailed this week to all Lakewood residences. This is the city’s quarterly publication that shares information about what’s happening in the city. Pick up your copy today to learn about what we have planned for 2024. There is a comprehensive list of upcoming events from now through December. Readers will …

City Manager's Weekly Bulletin March 8, 2024

Lakewood Manager’s Bulletin: March 8, 2024

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. …

Members of the Lakewood City Council from 1996 cut a blue ribbon at People's Plaza to celebrate the incorporation of the city and its first "city hall". Gen. Bill Harrison is in the front with Dr. Claudia Thomas. Both served as Mayor for the city over the course of their time with the city.

Celebrating our ‘Golden’ birthday

March 1, 2024 Twenty-eight years ago on Feb. 28, 1996, the City of Lakewood officially became a city. Voters approved the incorporation effort in 1995 after previous failed attempts. At the time of its formation Lakewood was the seventh-largest city in the state and the second-largest city in Pierce County behind Tacoma. Today it is still the second largest in …