Colonial Plaza

Project Description

This road improvement project built public space elements as well as curb and gutter, sidewalk, on-street parking, street lighting, landscaping and bench seating at Motor Avenue, which runs in front of the Lakewood Theatre and Best Western Lakewood.

This redesigned Motor Avenue street corridor still allows vehicles to pass between Whitman Avenue SW and the intersection of Gravelly Lake Drive SW, but provides more pedestrian amenities.

The City of Lakewood also intends to install public art pieces as a part of this project, preferably at the entrance points. A request for proposals was advertised in early February 2019. The City Council is in the process of selecting a preferred art piece.

Project Cost: $2.12 million

Project Manager: Troy Pokswinski, Civil Engineer, 253-983-7729, [email protected]

Project Status: Complete

Grand opening celebration

Road opens, celebration planned

Motor Avenue reopened to vehicle traffic in mid-August 2019.

The public joined the city for a Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon cutting and grand opening night on Sept. 14, 2019 at Colonial Plaza.

Following the blue ribbon cutting “Baking with Julia” took the stage to provide live music for attendees. Kids karaoke kicked off the night that included the chance for people to shop at a night market, enjoy food from food trucks and participate in other family-friendly activities.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this project and see what the future holds for the city’s newest gathering space.

Flier for Colonial Plaza grand opening happening Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 from 5 to 8 pm at the Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, WA on Motor Avenue between Whitman Avenue and Gravelly Lake Drive.

Construction photos and project updates

July 5, 2019 Project update

We’re nearing the finish of this project. Crews have been working hard on the finishing touches, including installation of the brick pavers and finalizing the concrete bench seating.

We can’t wait to celebrate the “grand opening” in a few short months once all the final touches are in place.

The Lakewood Theatre frontage with newly installed bricks that vary in color from red to gray with a blue sky peeking out of thin, wispy clouds.
Overhead shot of the Lakewood Colonial Center with the Colonial Plaza construction almost complete.
The Lakewood Theatre is slightly out of focus in the background with a blue sky overhead and spotty white clouds. A paver brick is in focus on the foreground with brick dimensions written on it as part of the Colonial Plaza project in Lakewood, WA
Overhead shot of the Lakewood Colonial Center with the Colonial Plaza construction almost complete.
Overhead shot of the Lakewood Colonial Center with the Colonial Plaza construction almost complete.
Overhead shot of the Lakewood Colonial Center with the Colonial Plaza construction almost complete.
Overhead shot of the Lakewood Colonial Center with the Colonial Plaza construction almost complete.
June 21, 2019 Project update

Construction crews continued to do concrete work and finishing architectural touches. These photos were taken by Councilman John Simpson June 21, 2019.

Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development.
Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development
Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development
Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development
Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development
Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development
Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development
Construction workers work on the concrete at the Lakewood Colonial Plaza in Lakewood, Washington as part of a public infrastructure improvement project in the Lakewood downtown area to promote private development
June 6, 2019 Project update

Concrete pours were done the first week of June to prepare the site for future architectural work, which will take longer to complete than typical road improvement projects. This photo gallery is from June 6, 2019.

Picture showcasing the Lakewood Theatre concrete curbs and work completed to date on the Colonial Center Plaza project.
Picture showcasing the concrete curbs and work completed to date on the Colonial Center Plaza project.
Picture showcasing the concrete curbs and work completed to date on the Colonial Center Plaza project.
Picture showcasing the concrete curbs and work completed to date on the Colonial Center Plaza project.
Picture looking down Motor Avenue showcasing the concrete curbs and work completed to date on the Colonial Center Plaza project.
Picture looking at the former Terrace Restaurant in Lakewood showcasing the concrete work done on the Colonial center Plaza project.
Picture showcasing the concrete curbs and work completed to date on the Colonial Center Plaza project.
April 17, 2019 Project update

Work moved quickly the first couple weeks, ripping up the existing roadway. This photo gallery is from April 17, 2019.

Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Photo of orange construction cones along Motor Avenue.
Local business access is granted along Motor Avenue.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Work began Monday, April 15, 2019 ripping up the existing roadway along Motor Avenue in the city’s Colonial District.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Picture of possible paver options for Motor Avenue as part of the Colonial Center Plaza project
Examples of various paver designs for consideration for the Colonial Center Plaza project.
Image on construction on Motor Avenue April 17, 2019
Motor Avenue in front of Best Western is ripped up as part of the Colonial Center Plaza project.
Photo of Road closed to thru traffic sign with construction in the background
Motor Avenue is closed to through traffic while Northwest Cascade rips up the roadway as part of the Colonial Center Plaza project. Local business access is still granted.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
Construction along Motor Avenue, April 17, 2019.
April 22, 2019 Project update

In the first two weeks of the project contractor NW Cascade removed all existing roadway surface and completed 90 percent of the stormwater utilities.

The water main was completed with pressure testing on April 19 and chlorination done April 20-21, 2019. They tested for bacteria on April 22, 2019 and are expected to transfer the line April 23, 2019.

Installing electrical utilities underground and irrigation underground is to be completed the week of April 22 and the following week of April 29, 2019.

Once that work is complete the contractor will begin grading and restoring the hard surface.

April 1, 2019 Project update

This notice was mailed April 1, 2019 to Lakewood business and property owners in and around Motor Avenue whose businesses will be affected by the upcoming project:

Dear Valued Business Owner:

Construction on the Colonial Plaza project will begin on April 8, 2019. This project will create a festival street along Motor Avenue between Whitman Avenue and Gravelly Lake Drive. Improvements include new underground utilities, cement concrete roadway, decorative paver plaza, sidewalks, landscaping and street lighting.

This project will require the closure of Motor Avenue to thru traffic between Whitman Avenue and Gravelly Lake Drive for long durations during the project. Local business access will be via the west end (from Whitman Avenue). This limited access will take place as soon as April 8 and will last until July 2019. The City will place “Businesses open during construction” signs, as well as sign a detour, and add a “Local business access” sign at Motor and Whitman avenues.

Throughout the project, updates will be posted on the project’s webpage. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this enhancement to your business frontage.

— Troy Pokswinski, Project Manager, 253-983-7729; Scott Davis, Inspector, 253-732-8051; Courtney Brunell, Planning Manager, 253-983-7839.

City Council presentation

Project Manager Troy Pokswinski and Planning Manager Courtney Brunell presented an update to the Lakewood City Council at its April 1, 2019 regular meeting on the status of the project.

View the presentation.

Project design schematics, images

Existing Motor Avenue
Proposed Festival Street
Overhead image of the Lakewood Colonial Center and the street that will be rebuilt into a festival street as part of the Lakewood Colonial Plaza capital project improvement.
An overhead look at Motor Avenue and the Colonial Center Plaza in Lakewood.
Design rendering of Colonial Plaza Festival Street Project 2019
Proposed Motor Avenue Festival Street configuration.
Colonial Center Plaza rendering of bollards
Rendering of proposed bollards