Happy New Year!
We’re excited to kick off the new year in Lakewood! Join us in giving a warm welcome to our new Mayor, Paul Bocchi, Deputy Mayor, Patti Belle, and our newest Councilmembers, Philip Lindholm and Ellen Talbo, as well as welcoming back Councilmember Michael Brandstetter. City leaders and partners, including the Lakewood Multicultural Coalition, came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 5 during the first Council meeting of 2026.
Join us for the MLK Beloved Community Celebration at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
This free community celebration honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and will feature a free community dinner, performances, workshops, a keynote speech by Dr. John Scott, and hands-on activities for all ages such as face painting, balloon making, and a community quilt project.
- When: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, from 6 – 8 p.m.
- Where: Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
- More information: https://cityoflakewood.us/mlk-day/
Bring a canned food donation for Nourish Pierce County to support our community and connect with neighbors as we honor Dr. King’s legacy of unity, compassion and service. Thank you, Pierce College, Clover Park School District and other partners for your continued support!
Take our Parks Legacy Plan Survey
We want to hear your thoughts on Lakewood parks! The city is updating its Parks Legacy Plan and we want to know what you think of our parks and would like to see in the future. Visit the Legacy Plan webpage to stay up to date or attend an outreach event. Your voice will help shape the future of Lakewood’s open spaces, parks, and recreation programming.
Winter Wellness Programs
The new year brings new classes to the City’s recreation programs. Check out Gentle Yoga, Fusion Yoga, and Yin Yoga at the Fort Steilacoom Park Pavilion. Details and registration found here: https://cityoflakewood.us/recreation-programs/
Council Corner
City Council met on Monday Jan. 5 for a Regular Meeting. Watch below.
What’s on Deck. The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Jan. 12, for a Study Session at 7:00 p.m. Tentative agenda items include:
- Natural Environment & Climate Change (NECC) Climate Advisory Team Formation and Purpose Update
- Review of Mount Tacoma Drive project
- Review of the citizens advisory board, committee and commission work plans
- Review of City Council liaisons to citizens’ advisory boards, committees and commissions and City Council representation on external committees and boards
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW. Attend 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. To see quarterly statistical analysis, visit the Lakewood Police Department crime statistics page on the city website.
Weekly Calls for Service Dec. 30, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026
- Calls for Service: 894 (+31% from prior week)
- Arrests: 45 (-21% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 25 (+25% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 43 (-10% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 116 (+41% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 24 (+60% from prior week)
Attend a Neighborhood Association Meeting
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 also 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: January 13, 2026
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Tillicum-American Lake Gardens Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave SW, or Manic Meatballs,14815 Union Ave SW
- Contact: [email protected]
- Custer Neighborhood Association
- Meets: January 18, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Lakewood United Methodist Church, 6900 Steilacoom Blvd Lakewood, WA
- More information: Custer Neighborhood Association and Lakewood United Methodist Church are working together to host Social Justice and Mercey talks. These are TED-style talks and Panel Conversations exploring the issues we care about—together. This Month we will be hearing from Caring for Kids and Supporting Underresourced Children and their Families.
- Lake City Neighborhood Association
- Meets: February 12, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Lake City West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station, 8517 Washington Blvd
- Downtown Neighborhood Association
- Meeting Dates: No meetings scheduled for January
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
- Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
- Meeting Dates: No meetings scheduled of January
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW
- Springbrook Community Meetings
- Meets: No meetings scheduled for January
- Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Location: Springbrook Park
- North Lakewood Neighborhood Association
- Meets: No meetings scheduled for January
- 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 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. 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 scheduled to place new roundabout concrete curb & gutter at the north end of Nyanza at Gravelly Lake Drive. Concrete work along Nyanza Rd continues. 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 will continue placing new concrete sidewalks through next week, weather permitting. 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): A pre-construction conference was held this week between the City of Lakewood and Miles Resources. A construction contract has been executed with Miles Resources for the construction of new sidewalks, curb & gutter, paving, storm drainage, and paving on 112th St SW between Gravelly Lake Drive and Bridgeport Way. 112th St SW will be closed between GLD and BPW beginning the week of 1/20/2026. Detour maps and public notification will be provided prior to mobilization.
Visit our website to report an issue to the City through the MyLakewood311 app.
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]
Park project update
American Lake Boat Launch Reopens: The boat launch at American Lake has reopened and is ready for public use! It was closed for repairs by the Department of Fish and Wildlife over the last month. Now’s the time to get your 2026 season pass: https://cityoflakewood.us/american-lake-park
New City Reader Board: The City has a new electronic reader board at Motor Ave/Gravelly Lake Drive to keep residents informed of happenings. It currently displays the City’s logo, date and time. Informational messages and notices about City events and activities are coming soon!
