Lakewood Weekly Manager’s Bulletin: Jan. 17, 2025

Holiday closure Jan. 20

City operations, except for emergency services, will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 in observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular operations resume Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The Lakewood City Council regular meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 followed by a study session in Council Chambers at City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW.

Honoring Dr. King with a day ‘on’

Help us honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by enhancing our community green spaces on Monday, Jan. 20.

Pierce Conservation District will be in Lakewood from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. building community and improving habitat around Waughop Lake in Fort Steilacoom Park. Volunteer efforts will help support wildlife, pollinators, and water quality by removing invasive vegetation and caring for native plants.

Register to volunteer and learn more about the event here.

Public hearing planned on proposed Lakewood Towne Center apartments

On Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. the City of Lakewood Hearing Examiner will hold a public hearing on a housing project that proposes building apartments in the Lakewood Towne Center, located in the city’s Central Business District.

The meeting will be in person at Lakewood City Hall. Virtual attendance is available.

Known as “Lakewood Towne Center Apartments Master Planned Development”, the project proposes 309 market rate housing units. The apartments will be divided between one, five-story building with 147 units and seven, three-story, garden-style buildings containing a total of 162 units.

The project is proposed for the Lakewood Towne Center in the area where the Barnes & Noble is currently located and the surrounding parking lot. As proposed by the private developer, the project will provide 40,559 square feet of open space area, 473 on-site parking stalls, indoor and outdoor amenities for future tenants and a large landscape buffer.

The project is under permit number 10185. Project files are available to view in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW or by using the city’s Permit Dashboard (click “permit search” on the top menu and enter “10185” into the search field) . An electronic version of the staff report will be available online by end of day Friday, Jan. 17.

Public comments will be accepted. Written comments submitted in advance will be accepted until 5 p.m. Jan. 23, 2025. They will also be accepted in person at the hearing. Virtual and in-person attendance is offered. Read more about how to submit comments or attend the meeting either in person or virtually through Zoom.

Road improvements coming to Steilacoom Boulevard

Construction crews are expected to be on site Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 onSteilacoom Boulevard between Weller Road SW and 87^th Avenue SW to prepare for upcoming road construction.

The city’s contractor,Active Construction, could begin lane closures as early as the end of next week. Work starts on the north side of Steilacoom Boulevard. Tacoma Public Utilities, Puget Sound Energy and other utility purveyors will also be in the area performing work.

The total project is estimated at about $6 million. The city applied for and received more than $5 million in grant funding for the construction portion of the project. Planned improvements include:

• Curbs
• Sidewalk
• Aluminum street lighting
• Bike lanes

Storm drainage will also be replaced, and new traffic signals will go in at 87^th Avenue SW, Hipkins Road SW, Briggs Road SW and Weller Road SW. The pavement will be overlayed and the road restriped with durable markings.

Steilacoom Boulevard will remain open during construction, but lanes will be reduced. This will result in traffic backups during busy travel times. Drivers are encouraged to allow for extra travel time and where possible find alternative routes. Construction is expected to conclude this fall with the traffic signal replacement potentially taking longer due to supply issues.

Welcome Walk celebrates ‘Beloved Community’

On Jan. 11 the Lakewood MLK Committee hosted its first-ever “MLK Beloved Community Welcome Walk” at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event and learned about the traits needed to create a “Beloved Community”. We were lucky to have sunshine, good music, community partnerships and lots of fun!

We continued our “Beloved Community” celebration on Monday with an artist reception featuring local artist Rodney King. King shared his artwork and talked with visitors. Maureese Itson performed live music, and spoken word artist Shaidaja Wilson-Dunham shared three original pieces.

If you missed the event but want to see King’s work, it is hanging on the ground floor of Lakewood City Hall. It is available for viewing any time Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Council Corner: Jan. 13, 2025 recap

Presentation of the draft Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategic Plan. The Lakewood City Council reviewed the City’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategic Plan. The plan was created at the Council’s direction to guide internal operations around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging principles.

Review of operation and maintenance agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the I-5 Gravelly – Thorne Connector Shared Use Path. The City Council reviewed a proposed agreement with the state that will build a shared use path between Gravelly Lake Drive and Thorne Road in the Tillicum neighborhood. The state will build and pay for the construction of the path that runs parallel to Interstate 5 between the Tacoma Country and Golf Club and the railroad tracks. The path will allow non-motorized use and make a pedestrian connection from the Tillicum and Woodbrook neighborhoods to the rest of the city. In an emergency the path can be used by emergency vehicles to access these areas.

Review of the 2025 citizens advisory board, committee and commission work plans. The City Council reviewed the proposed worked plans for nine of the city’s volunteer-led advisory boards and commissions. The work plans outline each group’s plan for the coming year and the action items they hope to accomplish.

Review of City Council liaisons to citizens’ advisory boards, committees and commissions, City Council representation on external committees and boards and City Council Proclamation calendar. At the start of every year the City Council reviews its list of assignments to serve as liaisons to the city’s advisory boards, committees and commissions. The City Council also reviews its appointments to outside boards and commissions to make sure Lakewood is represented on regional interests. The City Council reviewed the calendar for proposed proclamations for the year.

Watch the meeting.

What’s on deck. The Lakewood City Council meets Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at 6 p.m. for a regular meeting followed by a study session in Council Chambers. (Note the change in meeting day and time.) Tentative agenda items include:

Regular Meeting, 6 p.m.

• Larry Saunders Service Award Presentation
• Lakewood Sister Cities Association Presentation
• Authorizing the execution of a construction contract to R.L. Alia, in the amount of $3,361,777.20, for the South Tacoma Way 88th Street S to North City Limits Project.
• Authorizing the execution of an operation and maintenance agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the I-5 Gravelly – Thorne Connector Shared Use Path.
• Approving the 2025 citizens advisory board, committee and commission work plans.

Study Session (follows regular meeting)

• Review of the Ezee Fiber franchise agreement.
• Review of Five-Year 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, 2025 Annual Action Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.

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 that includes a look at total calls for service the Lakewood Police Department responded to 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.

Week of Jan. 7-14, 2024

• Calls for Service: 1109 (up 13% from prior week)
• Arrests: 55 (up 15% from prior week)
• Violent Crime: 19 (down 21% from prior week)
• Property Crime: 48 (down 13% from prior week)
• Traffic Stops: 223 (up 31% from prior week)
• Collisions (reportable): 23 (down 12% from prior week)

Attend a Neighborhood Association meeting in 2025

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 of Lakewood aims to not only better connect the community, but also help residents better understand city processes.

There are currently six Neighborhood Associations in Lakewood. Five meet regularly. The meeting times and locations are listed below. All residents are invited and encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting for their respective neighborhood. Find out more about the Neighborhood Connections Program online.

• Fort Steilacoom Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: Jan. 21, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Location: The Pavilion in Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW
• Downtown Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: Feb. 12, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Location: Interim Lakewood Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
• Lake City Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: Every other month. Next meeting is March 13, 2025 at 7 p.m.
  • Location: West Pierce Fire & Rescue station, 8517 Washington Blvd. SW
• Tillicum/Woodbrook Neighborhood Association
  • Meets: The second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
  • Location: Tillicum-American Lake Gardens Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave SW.
• Springbrook Community Meetings
  • Meets: Third Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Springbrook Connections, 5105 Solberg Dr SW #A
• North Lakewood Neighborhood Association
  • No meetings scheduled.

Community events 

Lakewood Playhouse offers winter camps and classes

Lakewood Playhouse recently released a winter class schedule that offers a range of options for youth, young adults and adults. Find the full class listing online.

Lakewood Playhouse presents “The Laramie Project”

In honoring the memory and legacy of Matthew Shepard, this production of “The Laramie Project” strives to inspire the community to see themselves in the citizens of Laramie and reflect on their own reaction to recent attacks on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, locally and nationally. With a cast composed of local actors, this production will bring a whole new perspective on the work by putting community at the center of the storytelling and offering space for conversation and reflection. What can we learn about ourselves by examining the words and actions of another community?

The show runs Feb. 21-March 9, 2025, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The “pay what you can” and industry night is Sunday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Call the Box Office at (253) 588-0042 or visit www.lakewoodplayhouse.org to book tickets online.

Sign up for Lakewood Alert (Code Red)

The City of Lakewood uses Code Red, an alert service, to notify residents of important information happening in the city.

If there is an emergency that requires public notification, we will use Lakewood Alert as one way to communicate. We will also post information to our website and social media channels.

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.

Road project updates

Steilacoom Boulevard Weller to 87^th Ave: Active Construction, Inc. will begin on-site preparations Jan. 21, 2025.  Construction will begin by the end of that week. Work starts on the north side of Steilacoom Blvd. TPU, PSE, and other utility purveyors also have work that will be occurring in the project limits in the coming weeks to prepare. The road will remain open during construction, but will be reduced to one lane. Drivers should expect traffic backups during busy times.

Lakewood Station Access Project: Sound Transit is investing nearly $70 million in road improvements in and around the Lakewood Sounder Station to improve roads in the Lakeview and Springbrook neighborhoods. Recent survey work added one-foot squares of white paint on certain roads. Construction is not anticipated to begin until the fall of 2025.

84^th and Pine: The contractor is waiting for approval from TPU to mount the luminaries on the traffic signal poles.

Farwest Drive SW: The final piece is for the power company to bring power to the lights so they can be turned on. Once that is done, this project is complete.

Rose Road Sanitary Sewer Project: Work is anticipated to start early March.

South Tacoma Way Overlay 96^th to Steilacoom Blvd.: Miles Resources is expected to start work in early spring 2025.

South Tacoma Way & 92^nd signal replacement: A contract will be sent soon to the Lakewood City Council for approval to authorize work. Work is expected to begin in early 2025.

South Tacoma Way  88^th to north city limits: A contract is on the Lakewood City Council consent agenda for approval Jan. 21. Work is likely to begin in early spring 2025.

Parks project updates

Each week updates will be shared highlighting the work being done to improve our parks for public use.

American Lake Park: Construction continues with significant progress on the new retaining walls along the beach and boat launch parking lot as well as the new shelter. Completion is anticipated by June.

Wards Lake Park Improvements: The city’s contractor Redside Construction started construction this week. The 35-acre park is closed and will remain closed through November 2025.

Planned improvements include:

• ADA accessible loop trail with a 170-foot-long bridge over the lake.  
  • Ten-foot-wide paved trials and gravel paths throughout the site.  
  • A new playground and picnic shelter.
  • A pump bike track.
  • New restroom facility.
  • Prairie restoration and a bird blind overlooking the lake.
  • Public art and landscape improvements near the entry.
  • Parking lot expansion.
  • New off-leash dog park.
  • 3-acre bike track and skills area.
  • New neighborhood park and playground at 25^th Ave Ct South.
  • Landscape improvements.

Relocation of the Tenzler Log: Construction of a shelter around the log is nearing completion. The log will be refinished to protect and seal the monument, and a wire mesh installation will be installed this month to protect the round it in its new home at Fort Steilacoom Park. Work is expected to be complete by late January, weather permitting. We expect the blue tarp to be removed by February.

Other park projects planned for 2025:

• Primley Park playground replacement: The new playground is ordered and on its way. It is anticipated to be installed before Parks Appreciation Day in April. Other park improvements include a ADA parking spot and accessible pathway. 
• Oakbrook Park: A new picnic shelter is on order and design is ongoing for an internal that will be installed before the busy summer season.    
• New park signs: Park signs will be replaced this year with updated designs. Expect the signs in place by summer.
• Historic H-Barn revitalization: Grants and community funding continues to come in to support the preservation of the H-barn at Fort Steilacoom Park. Local nonprofit Partners for Parks is working to raise $3.5 million to match a $4 million commitment from the city. Design work will start in early spring to determine building and code needs, as well as cost estimates. 
• Street End pilot project: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will host a community meeting in early March to look at how to create a new public open space at the Westlake Ave Street End on Lake Steilacoom.   
• Harry Todd pickleball courts: Four new pickleball courts will be developed at Harry Todd Park this year. The city has submitted permits for this work. The courts should be available for public use by fall 2025.
• Nisqually Loop Trail Fort Steilacoom Park: In partnership with the Nisqually Tribe the city will install several interpretive exhibits along the Nisqually Loop Trail in the southeast area of the park. The exhibits will be located along a 1-mile trail and include Nisqually art, educational information and Lushootseed language. Construction is anticipated to occur late summer-fall of 2025.