City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin: Oct. 29, 2021

Lakewood Headlines for October 22, 2021

The Comfort Inn at 86th and Hosmer was purchased for emergency shelter space. Steilacoom Blvd will close for three months on Monday as crews repair a sewer main. Nyanza reopened today and Gravelly Lake will close again on Monday as work continues. A bridge over Chambers Creek was installed, connecting Kobayashi Park to trails on the Lakewood side. A Community Cleanup will be held Nov. 6 & 7. The City will host an amateur film contest in February. The statewide eviction moratorium expires this weekend.

Tacoma Comfort Inn Purchased for Emergency Shelter

The 94-room inn will accommodate up to 120 individuals

The Comfort Inn at 8620 S Hosmer Street has been purchased for emergency shelter and future permanent supportive housing. The 94-room shelter will accommodate up to 120 people.

The Low Income Housing Initiative (LIHI) purchased the inn with funds contributed by Pierce County, the City of Tacoma, and the City of Lakewood. The total cost was $8.8 million; the City of Lakewood contributed $1.0 million.

Significant Road Work Changes to Occur This Weekend

Steilacoom will close between Bridgeport & Lakewood; Gravelly Lake will close between Nyanza & Veterans

Steilacoom Blvd. will close for three months between Bridgeport Way and Lakewood Dr. on Monday, Nov. 1. Local access will be permitted between Bridgeport Way and Gravelly Lake Drive. Pierce County crews will replace a sewer main beneath the roadway that collapsed in July.

Temporary equipment pumps millions of gallons of sewage daily through bypass pipes.
The bypass has worked smoothly since July, but county crews will now perform a permanent repair.

Gravelly Lake Drive briefly reopened this week between Nyanza Rd. and Veterans Dr. while Nyanza Rd. was closed and connected to the new roundabout. Nyanza Rd. reopened on Friday, and Gravelly Lake Dr. will close again on Monday as work on the JBLM North Access Project resumes.

Community Cleanup Scheduled for Nov. 6-7

Lakewood residents may dispose of trash, recyclables, and junk for free

The City of Lakewood will host a Community Cleanup on Saturday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 7. Residents may bring trash, recyclables, and junk for disposal.

Demand overwhelmed the spring event, so a 5-minute unloading limit will be enforced. Please review the rules before planning your trip.

City of Lakewood Fall Community Cleanup
3869 94th Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
Saturday, Nov. 6 & Sunday, Nov. 7 
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Click this image to review event rules

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Eviction Moratorium to Expire Oct. 31

Rental & mortgage assistance is available. Those behind on bills should call 2-1-1 immediately.

The statewide eviction moratorium is expected to be allowed to expire this weekend. On Oct. 31, protections for delinquent renters or homeowners will be lifted and people may be evicted for nonpayment.

Back rent is due Nov. 1. Those behind on rent, mortgage payments, or utilities should call 2-1-1 immediately to ask about available assistance.

New Bridge Connects University Place & Lakewood by Trail

Rental & mortgage assistance is available. Those behind on bills should call 2-1-1 A bridge now spans Chambers Creek to connect Kobayashi Park to trails on the Lakewood side.

Upcoming Events

Holiday Parade of Lights: Saturday, Dec. 11

The City of Lakewood will celebrate the holidays with a drive-through “Parade of Lights” on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park. Visitors will drive through a maze of holiday floats constructed by local businesses, clubs, and organizations.

Reel Fest ’96 Film Competition: February 2022

Aspiring actors and directors are invited to join Lakewood’s upcoming film contest: Reel Life ’96. Participating groups in this fast-paced contest must create a 4-minute film in 4 days based on a theme. Participants of any experience level are invited.

Bring trash, junk, and recyclables to Lakewood’s Community Cleanup on Nov. 6, 7

CITY COUNCIL SUMMARY

Next Meeting: Monday, Nov. 1 (Regular Session)

Prior Meeting: Monday, Oct. 25 (Study Session)

On Monday, Oct. 25, Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board discussed youth mental health and workforce development efforts. City Council reviewed purchase agreements for the expansion of Wards Lake Park.

Chief Zaro presented a Q3 crime report, revealing concerning increases in crime. Jails are still under COVID restrictions so bookings are difficult; many arrestees are released at the scene. Police are prohibited from pursuit in many cases, affecting arrests for property crime and vehicle thefts. Gun crime is up nationwide, including in Lakewood.

The Council concluded by discussing funding for transportation projects, American Rescue Plan Act details, and potential amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.

COVID-19 & Relief Programs

  • Virus Activity: Local virus activity and hospitalizations remain at very high levels. TPCHD implores residents to get vaccinated, mask up, and practice social distancing.
  • Vaccine Locations: Vaccination is the best way for us to return to normal. The Towne Center Vaccine Clinic is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 10330 59th Avenue Southwest, STE B, Lakewood, WA 98499.
  • Mask Mandate: Masks are required in all indoor public spaces and outdoor events with 500+ attendees, regardless of vaccine status.
  • Proof of Vaccination (King County only): Proof of vaccination (or negative COVID test) is required to enter indoor businesses in King County. The order takes effect on Monday, Oct. 25. No similar announcement has been made in Pierce County – this applies only to King County establishments.
  • Relief Programs: 

Roads

  • Steilacoom & Lakewood: Steilacoom Blvd. will close for three months starting Monday, Nov. 1. Pierce County will begin a permanent repair of the collapsed sewer main beneath the roadway. Traffic will detour North to Custer Rd W.
  • Steilacoom & Custer: Utilities are still moving overhead lines to new poles. Once complete, sidewalk work in this area will begin. Occasional lane closures will be required.
  • Gravelly Lake & Nyanza: Nyanza Rd. has reopened. Gravelly Lake Dr. will close again on Monday. Crews will begin work on a new roundabout at Gravelly Lake & Veterans, which is expected to be complete by February.
The intersection of Veterans Dr. and Gravelly Lake Dr. will be replaced with a roundabout by February.

Parks

  • Chambers Creek Canyon: A new bridge was installed to connect Kobayashi Park to trails on the Lakewood side. Trails in the area will be extended and improved over the next year.
Crane crews installed a new bridge this week spanning Chambers Creek, connecting University Place and Lakewood by trail.

Notes