Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing you and all Lakewood families a very Happy Thanksgiving this holiday season.
Lakewood City Hall, the Lakewood police station and city operations are closed Thursday and Friday this week. Regular operations resume Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.
Washington Boulevard is open
After more than two years of phased closures, Washington Boulevard reopened to traffic Wednesday afternoon. The re-opening signifies a major milestone in this $23 million project. No more significant road closures are expected, however intermittent lane closures will occur as the project continues toward completion.
The road is open, but crews are still out there working so please drive slow and be aware it is an active construction zone.
Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen was joined Wednesday by Lakewood City Council member Trestin Lauricella, City Manager John Caulfield, representatives from Lakewood Water District, the state Transportation Improvement Board, the Lake City Neighborhood Association and members of the city’s Public Works Engineering Team. The group celebrated the end of the road closures with a ribbon cutting.
Register today for the Lakewood Jingle Bell 5k
The City of Lakewood and the Lakes Cross Country Boosters Club partnered to return the Jingle Bell 5k run/walk & 1-mile Kid’s Run to Fort Steilacoom Park.
Join us for this family-friendly fun run on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Strollers, well-behaved dogs on leashes and participants of all ages are welcome. Wear your best holiday outfit – costumes are strongly encouraged!
Pre-register and save. Sign up now and pay $10 for kids 12 and under; $30 for 13+.
Race-day registration is $15 for kids 12 and under; $35 for 13+.
This is a chip-timed event.
Winter Lakewood Connections in homes now
The Winter 2023 edition of the quarterly Lakewood Connections magazine is hitting mailboxes around Lakewood now. Each quarter the magazine is mailed to more than 31,000 residences across the city.
Inside this edition find a message from the Lakewood City Council about its 2024 Legislative Agenda, information about holiday events, updates on city road and park projects, and other details about what’s happening in the community.
Fallen Officer Food & Blood Drive is Nov. 29
The 14th annual Lakewood Police Department Fallen Officer Food Drive and 7th annual Blood Drive is Nov. 29, 2023 from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On this day visit the parking lot across the street from the Lakewood Police Station (9401 Lakewood Dr. SW) to drop off non-perishable food items. All items will be donated to Emergency Food Network. The food network serves all of Pierce County, providing items to smaller food banks in various cities and unincorporated areas.
If you are unable to stop by on Nov. 29, donations will be accepted leading up to the event. Donation bins will be at these locations:
- Blue Steele Coffee Company, 11401 Steele St.
- Classy Chassis Xpress Lube, 7609 Custer Road W.
- Classic Coffee in Lakewood, 7609 Custer Road W.
- Classic Coffee in University Place, 4828 Bridgeport Way W.
- Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Lakewood Police Station, 9401 Lakewood Dr. SW (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Our region is currently facing a significant blood shortage. If you are able, please consider donating blood to help Bloodworks NW replenish the supply. Blood donations are by appointment only.Please sign up today.
Flag Raising Ceremony
The Lakewood Police Department will hold its annual Flag Ceremony on Nov. 29, 2023 at Blue Steele Coffee at 9 a.m. The event occurs in the parking lot of the coffee shop, next to the Fallen Officer Memorial.
This ceremony is an opportunity for us to come together and reflect as we replace the Lakewood Police Department flag at the memorial site. All are invited to join us.
Council Corner: Nov. 20, 2023 recap
Accessory Dwelling Units as Short Term Rentals. The City Council removed an amendment about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) from a larger package of amendments tied to an annual update of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The amendment that was removed proposed allowing ADUs to be used as short-term rentals. Removal of the amendment from the package did not impact the other amendments that were approved. Council adopted the other amendments, including one that allows childcare facilities in more areas to increase access to childcare. The City Council agreed to resume the conversation around ADUs and short-term rentals in 2024.
2023-24 Mid-Biennial Budget Ordinance Public Hearing. The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed mid-biennial budget adjustment. Proposed modifications to the budget include:
- Revise the estimated beginning fund balance to reflect the final 2022 ending fund balance.
- Adjustments to incorporate items previously approved by the City Council.
- Appropriate projects funded by grants and contributions.
- Continuation of capital projects.
- New allocations as necessary.
The City Council will take action on the ordinance at its Dec. 4, 2023 regular meeting.
Tenzler Library Log Relocation Update. The City Council received an update from Parks and Recreation Director Mary Dodsworth about plans to relocate the Tenzler log from the closed Pierce County Library located at Wildaire Drive. The log dates back to 1359. It was cut in 1945. In 1965 it was installed at the Lakewood library with a special enclosure. The tree is nearly 13 feet long and 40-feet in circumference. It weighs more than 9 tons. The closure of the library by the library system left the future of the log in question. In partnership with the Pierce County Library System, the City of Lakewood agreed to re-home the log to another location in the city. The library system will move the log to its new location and hopes to have that done by early 2024. The Lakewood City Council reviewed three possible locations for the log:
- Fort Steilacoom Park
- Wards Lake Park
- Lakewood City Hall
The Lakewood City Council took action on the following items:
- Approved the 2024 Human Services funding recommendations
- Approved the 2024 Lodging Tax funding recommendations
- Authorized award of a construction contract to Sound Pacific Construction, LLC in the amount of $5,132,292.91 for the construction of the Hipkins Road Improvement Project
- Adopted an ordinance amending Lakewood Municipal Code Title 3, Revenue and Finance, Property Tax Exemptions for Multifamily Housing, Chapter 3.64
- Adopted an ordinance with amendments to Title 18A related to zoning and development regulations
- Adopted the 2024 Property Tax Levy
- Adopted the 2024 fee schedule
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 for a study session at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:
- Joint Youth Council meeting
- Review of Lakewood Municipal Code 1.20 related to the City logo and Seal
- 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review Update: Parking
- Prosecution Services Update
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.
City Days now open for McGavick Center
The City of Lakewood is accepting applications for the use of a 2024 City Day at the Clover Park Technical College McGavick Conference Center. Please click here to view the policy and application materials. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 30, 2023. Applicants will be notified as to the approval or denial of the application by Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
Complete applications can be emailed directly to City Clerk Briana Schumacher or can be delivered in person or by mail to Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499.
If you have any questions regarding the application or process, please contact City Clerk Briana Schumacher by email at [email protected] or by phone at 253-983-7705.
Community Events
Lakewold Gardesn presents Music From Home series
Lakewold Gardens is hosting an intimate afternoon with music, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 from 3-5 p.m. where performers will present “Unknown”.
Originally written for three singers and chamber ensemble to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in 2021, Shawn Okpebholo’s song cycle Unknown explores ideas of war, honor, and memory through the eyes of soldiers, family members, and Tomb Guards who are connected to each other and the Tomb through their mutual service and sacrifice.
This performance is a special arrangement for voice and piano adapted by the composer for the intimate setting at Lakewold Gardens. The program is completed by works related to the WWI period: Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, and a special appearance by pianist David Korevaar performing Ravel’s stunning Le Trombeau de Couperin and works by L. Perrachio.
Performers: Myah Rose Paden, mezzo-soprano; Tim Christie, violin; Dallas Neustel, clarinet; Ricardo de la Torre, piano; David Korevaar, piano.
Tickets (include beverage and dessert): $35 General; $28 Students, Seniors & Military; $17.50 Youth 6-17 (5 and under free).
Join an advisory board or commission
Lakewood Civil Service Commission vacancy
Join the Lakewood Civil Service Commission and work alongside other volunteers to help with the selection process and appointment of Lakewood police officers. Commission members also assist with the promotion or demotion of officers.
The commission meets the first Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. There is one vacancy that needs to be filled. Deadline to apply is Nov, 24, 2023.
Find out more about what the position requires its qualifications and the application online.
Sign up for Lakewood Alert
The City of Lakewood uses an alert service: Lakewood Alert to notify residents of important information.
If there is an emergency in the city that requires public notification, we will use this alert system to send out information related to the emergency.
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.
Work for the city of Lakewood
We’re hiring! Looking to change careers? Looking for a new job? Ready to re-enter the job market?
Join the city of Lakewood! We have a variety of positions open across multiple departments. 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
Washington Boulevard
The road reopened to traffic Wednesday. Work continues on this project that could result in temporary lane closures, but not a full closure. Concrete pours continue into next week, along with streetlight installation and landscaping. Please drive slow through the area. There are crews working and construction is still occurring.
Angle Lane/Elwood Drive
Tree planting of oak trees begins Nov. 28. No traffic impacts are expected. Once the trees are planted, the project is complete.
Union Ave: Orchard to Spruce Street
Utility companies continue to transfer their lines to the new poles. Once the communication lines are transferred over, the old poles will be removed and the concrete sidewalks poured. Street lights are expected to be installed in mid-December. Once that is done the project is complete.