Honoring February as Black History Month
The City Council welcomed Kimi Irene Ginn from Vibrant Schools of Puget Sound to its Feb. 2 meeting, where she accepted a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month. Observed nationwide each February, Black History Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. This year, the City of Lakewood honors “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marking one hundred years of progress. We invite everyone to reflect on this journey and honor the Black leaders who have shaped our nation.
Washington cities love the Seahawks!
The City of Lakewood joined cities across Washington to celebrate the Seattle Seahawks heading to the Super Bowl in a fun video called “Washington cities love the Seahawks!” organized by the Association of Washington Cities. You can watch the video on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram, and don’t forget to like the posts when you spot Lakewood! A big thanks and appreciation to our Lakewood Police Department and City staff who brought their energy and Seahawks gear to City Hall to help make this happen!
Interlaaken Drive Updates
Paving along Interlaaken Drive from Washington Boulevard to 112th was completed on Thursday, Feb. 5. – ahead of schedule. The roadway was reopened to traffic shortly before 4:00 p.m. The contractor’s original schedule for completion of this work was Friday afternoon, Feb. 6.
Reminder! Lane restrictions along 112th Street from Idlewild to Interlaaken and Idlewild from 112th to Idlewild Elementary are still in place. The contractor will remove the pavement along Idlewild, grade the road with new crushed rock and repave the road next week depending upon the weather. Additional information and road updates are available in the ‘Road Project Updates’ section of this newsletter.
Next Week’s City Hall and Community Engagement Events
- The Lakewood Arts Commission meets on Monday, Feb. 9 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. The Commission works to identify community needs, set priorities, and suggest ways to enrich our community and support cultural life through the arts. Attend in person or online: https://cityoflakewood.us/lakewood-arts-commission/
- The Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association meets on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Contact [email protected] or 253-988-2536 for agenda and meeting location. Follow on Facebook to stay updated.
- The Lake City Neighborhood Association meets Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Lake City Fire Station, 8517 Washington Boulevard. Follow on Facebook to stay updated.
Opportunities for Public Comment
- The City of Lakewood Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on amendments to Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 5.60 regarding rental housing regulations on March 4, 2026, at 6:30 pm. You can testify in person or virtually. The proposed amendments clarify that registration and inspection apply to residential housing units, not just multi- or rental housing complexes. This was always the intent, but the current code language is not clear. More information is available on our website.
- The City of Lakewood’s 2026 Stormwater Management Program encourages the public to review and comment on the Lakewood Draft 2026 Stormwater Management Program and the updated Stormwater Management Action Plan. You can review the copies online or come in person to the Planning and Public Works department on the second floor of City Hall.
Council Corner
City Council met on Monday, Feb. 2 for a Regular meeting. Watch below.
What’s on Deck. The City Council meets Monday, Feb. 9, for a Regular Meeting and Study Session at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Tentative agenda items include:
- Review of 4th Quarter (2025) Police Report
- Review of grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Natural Environment and Climate Change (NECC) Program
- Review of Engineering development regulations, including the engineering standards manual, Lakewood Municipal Code (LMC) Titles 12 and 13, and Chapter 18A.20
- Review of Ordinance creating City Volunteer Program
How to Attend:
- In person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW
- Virtually via Zoom (or dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 868 7263 2373), or
- Watch live on the city’s YouTube channel
Police Chief’s Corner
Each week Lakewood Police Chief Patrick D. Smith shares a summary of total calls for service for the prior week. The intent of the summary is to show a snapshot of how the department works to keep the community safe.
Weekly Calls for Service Jan. 27 – Feb. 3
- Calls for Service: 939 (+2% from prior week)
- Arrests: 35 (-20% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 17 (-6% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 34 (-24% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 140 (-5% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 18 (+20% from prior week)
Road Project Updates*
*Please note the dates listed are tentative and may change due to weather or other conditions.
Nyanza Rd Improvements: The City’s contractor is currently placing new roundabout concrete curb & gutter at the north end of Nyanza at Gravelly Lake Drive. Concrete sidewalk placement continues on Nyanza Rd throughout the project limits. Base-lift paving of the northernmost section of the roundabout and the new concrete truck apron were placed this week. The temporary east-west traffic configuration will be swapped to the newly paved portion of the week of Feb. 9. North and southbound travel is closed to through traffic on Nyanza between the north and south connections at Gravelly Lake Drive; drivers are advised to follow the detour signs. Traffic is unable to travel onto Gravelly Lake Drive from Nyanza on the north end. East/west traffic on Gravelly Lake Drive at the north end of Nyanza is alternating directions via temporary traffic control devices.
Interlaaken/112th/Idlewild: Interlaaken Dr has been fully paved; permanent channelization will be placed after the required HMA cure time (likely in March). 112th and Idlewild are scheduled to be paved on Feb. 16, weather permitting. Eastbound 112th is closed to traffic between Idlewild and Interlaaken. Southbound traffic on Idlewild Rd is provided for Idlewild Elementary traffic ONLY and is completely closed south of the school’s driveway to 112th; Northbound traffic is open at 112th and past the school on Idlewild.
112th St SW – Gravelly Lake Drive (GLD) to Bridgeport Way (BPW): The City’s contractor continues installing the new surface water drainage system on 112th St SW between 60th and Bridgeport Way. Electricians continue placing conduit for the new illumination system. 112th St SW between Gravelly Lake Drive and Bridgeport Way SW is closed to thru-traffic (local access only) for the construction of new sidewalks, curb & gutter, paving, storm drainage, and paving on 112th St SW between Gravelly Lake Drive and Bridgeport Way. The closure is anticipated to remain in place until construction activities conclude in early summer 2026. Lakewood Water District began installing segments of a new water main this week at various locations within the project limits.
Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87th Ave: All contract work is complete, except for three locations that require additional concrete work. City staff coordinated with private utility agencies to relocate the final three communication poles so the concrete work may be completed. Schedule pending utility contractor availability.
South Tacoma Way & 92nd signal replacement: The signal at 92nd and South Tacoma Way has been fully commissioned. The contract work is complete, and the contractor will perform minor corrective activities as this project moves into final closeout.
South Tacoma Way – 88th to north city limits: The City’s contractor will be finishing the installation of new signal equipment on Monday, Feb. 9. Pierce County is scheduled to perform initial inspections/testing on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Wadsworth/Silcox/Boat Sewer Extension: The City’s contractor is expected to begin construction of the new sewer system beginning mid-late April. Puget Sound Energy is mobilizing to the site beginning Feb. 2 to relocate the gas main ahead of the City’s project.
Grant Ave/Orchard Sewer Extension: The City’s contractor is expected to begin work on Grant Ave beginning mid-late February (pending materials approval/procurement).
Visit the capital projects webpage for more information. You can also report an issue through the MyLakewood311 app.
Parks and Recreation Updates
Save the date! Parks Appreciation Day is on April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Ward’s Lake Park and Harry Todd Park. We invite you to join the community, lend a hand, discover something new, and enjoy yourself!
Get ready for some color! Join us at the Lakewood Senior Activity Center for a Tie Dye Friendship Party on Feb. 12 at 1:00 p.m. Celebrate friendship, creativity, and community. It’s all about tie-dye fun, just without the mess of dye!
The City of Lakewood will host many community events in 2026. Visit the Events page to see what’s coming up!