Celebrating Unity and Service at Lakewood’s MLK Beloved Community Event
The MLK Beloved Community Celebration at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom united Lakewood neighbors for an evening that honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. Guests enjoyed performances, participated in hands-on workshops, and heard from Dr. John Scott during his keynote address. Families took part in face painting, balloon art, and enjoyed a collaborative community quilt. Organizers served a community dinner, presented an art show, and provided opportunities to learn through civil rights video screenings and displays. Lakewood Mayor, Paul Bocchi, Deputy Mayor, Patti Belle, and Councilmembers Ellen Talbo and Mike Brandstetter, joined in celebrating Dr. King’s vision of unity, compassion, and service. We thank the Lakewood community, our partners at Pierce College and Clover Park School District, and the residents who made this celebration truly special. Your leadership, support, and participation sustain the spirit of a Beloved Community.
City Hall Holiday Closure
City Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City Hall will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 8:30 a.m.
Notice of Development of an ADA Transition Plan
The City of Lakewood is developing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan for its public rights-of-way. The plan will address removal of non-compliant sidewalk ramps and signal push button barriers on its rights-of-way, and a schedule for achieving that goal.
The City has engaged King Technologics, PLLC, to assist in the development of its state and federally mandated ADA program and Transition Plan. The goal is to develop a plan that achieves real improvements and results.
As the plan is developed, draft copies will be posted on the City website, and a notice sent out so that interested parties may give their feedback for the City’s consideration and/or response. If you are interested in being kept informed, please submit your contact information via email to Weston Ott, City Engineer at [email protected]
Take our Parks Legacy Plan Survey
We want to hear your thoughts on Lakewood parks! The City is updating its Parks Legacy Plan. You can take the survey and tell us what you think of our parks. Your voice will help shape the future of Lakewood’s open spaces, parks, and recreation programming.
Winter Wellness Programs
New classes start in February! Check out our new Tai Chi and Qigong classes in addition to our yoga offerings. Details and registration on our recreation page: https://cityoflakewood.us/recreation-programs/
Council Corner
City Council met on Monday Jan. 12 for a Study Session. Watch below.
What’s on Deck. The City Council meets Tuesday, Jan. 20, for a Regular Meeting and Study Session at 6:00 p.m. Tentative agenda items include:
- Proclamation recognizing Chief Jim Sharp, West Pierce Fire and Rescue for his service
- Approving the 2026 citizens advisory board, committee and commission work plans
- Approving the City Council liaisons to citizens’ advisory boards, committees and commissions and representation on external committees and boards
- Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Gunderson Law Firm for prosecution and related legal services
- Authorizing the execution of an agreement with Washington State Department of Ecology to utilize grants funds to treat invasive milfoil on American Lake
- Authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with Commonstreet Consulting, in the amount of $88,859.01, for services related to the Custer Road Safety Improvement Project
- Items for Discussion – Review of Lakewood Municipal Code amendments related to the allowed locations of alcohol production and sales
- Items for Discussion – Review of 2024 Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) Bond Refund
- Items for Discussion – Review of 3rd Quarter (2025) Financial Report
- Items for Discussion – Review of 112th Street – Farwest Drive to Holden Road Project
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. 6 – 13, 2026
- Calls for Service: 927 (+4% from prior week)
- Arrests: 36 (-20% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 21 (-16% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 36 (-22% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 116 (0% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 20 (-17% from prior week)
Attend a Neighborhood Association Meeting in February
Neighborhood associations play a crucial role in fostering community engagement and improving the quality of life in local neighborhoods. Through its Neighborhood Connections program, the City aims to better connect the community and help residents better understand city processes. The meeting times and locations are listed below. All residents are invited and encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting for their respective neighborhood. Visit the Neighborhood Connections webpage to learn more.
Meetings:
- Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association
- Meets: Second Tuesday of each month
- Next meeting: Feb. 10
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Tillicum Community Center
- Contact: [email protected]
253-988-2536 - Facebook
- Lake City Neighborhood Association
- Meets: Second Thursday of every month.
- Next meeting: Feb. 12
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Lake City West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station, 8517 Washington Blvd
- Facebook
- Downtown Neighborhood Association
- Next meeting: Feb. 18
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Lakewood Library
- Facebook: Downtown Lakewood Neighborhood Association | Facebook
- Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
- Next meeting: Feb. 24
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/921496959928160
- Custer Neighborhood Association
- Meets: No meetings scheduled
- Location: Lakewood United Methodist Church, 6900 Steilacoom Blvd Lakewood, WA
- Springbrook Community Meetings
- Meets: No meetings scheduled
- Location: Springbrook Park
- Facebook
- North Lakewood Neighborhood Association
- Meets: No meetings scheduled
- Location: The Adriatic at the Oakbrook, 8102 Zircon Drive SW. RSVPs are required for each meeting for planning purposes
- Contact: [email protected]
Road project updates
Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87th Ave: Private utility crews continue working to perform all communication line transfers and will remove the old utility poles throughout the project site. The City’s contractor is placing concrete as utility pole conflicts are removed throughout the project site. The City’s contractor is scheduled to return to the site next week to begin placing the remaining concrete sidewalk and ADA curb ramps throughout the project site.
South Tacoma Way & 92nd signal replacement: The new signal poles have been installed. Friday (1/16) the contractor will place permanent channelization (crosswalks and stop bars) ahead of the signal work which is scheduled to continue next week. Additional work to inspect and commission the new traffic signal is scheduled to occur beginning next week and is expected to continue through the end of January.
South Tacoma Way – 88th to north city limits: This contract is currently on suspension pending the final signal turn on at 84th and South Tacoma Way. A pre-task meeting is scheduled for the week of 1/21 ahead of additional work taking place on the new traffic signal at 84th & South Tacoma Way.
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 flatwork is beginning this week on Nyanza Rd as crews place new concrete sidewalks throughout the project limits. North and southbound travel is closed to thru 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: The City’s contractor continues placing new concrete sidewalks and driveways through next week, weather permitting. Utility pole conflicts are scheduled to be removed by the utility purveyor Monday 1/19 to accommodate the completion of concrete flatwork. Asphalt removal/paving activities will be scheduled on the concrete work concludes and as the weather permits. 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): 112th St SW between Gravelly Lake Drive and Bridgeport Way SW will be closed to thru-traffic (local access only) beginning Tuesday 1/20 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 early-summer 2026. Detours and traffic controls signage will be in place beginning 1/20. Detour map shown below:
We understand the community’s concern about this project and the Nyanza Road project being under construction at the same time. Initial planning, design, bidding, etc. had these two projects scheduled where 112th would start immediately following the Nyanza project. Unfortunately delays in the Nyanza Road project and the timing of the contract for the 112th project is resulting in this overlap. At this time we anticipate Nyanza Road to be opened by mid-March.
Park project update
No updates for this week. The City of Lakewood will host many community events in 2026. Visit the events webpage on our website to see what’s coming up!