Mayor Whalen’s Community Coffeehouse is Oct. 22
Join Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen at his next Community Coffeehouse, Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at The Pavilion.
Come to meet the city’s new Planning and Public Works director Jeff Rimack and assistant director Angie Sliva. The pair will provide an update on the consolidation of the city’s planning and public works departments and anticipated efficiencies. They’ll also review major projects in the city and be available to answer questions.
The Pavilion is located at 9107 Angel Lane SW inside Fort Steilacoom Park. Parking is available behind the building.
Artist Reception features Pierce College artists
Join the Lakewood Arts Commission on Monday, Oct. 21 from 5-7 p.m. for an art reception at Lakewood City Hall.
Art from Pierce College students is on display on the groundfloor of Lakewood City Hall. Come to the event to see the art, meet the artists and hear how they created their pieces. This free event is open to everyone and is a great way to meet artists and learn more about their craft.
Lakewood City Hall is located at 6000 Main Street SW. Parking is available behind the building, where the entrance is located.
Gov. Jay Inslee visits Lakewood
Governor Jay Inslee was in Lakewood this week along with other dignitaries to for a groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the new Western State Hospital.
The hospital will be a secure facility with 350 beds to serve forensic patients (those accused of a crime and ordered by a court to receive treatment before trial).
Construction of the new Forensic Center of Excellence is expected to be done by 2029. Read more about what is planned in the Governor’s blog.
Lakewood proposed 2025-26 budget
The Lakewood City Council is in the process of reviewing the proposed 2025-26 Biennial Budget. A public hearing is planned for November and final adoption is anticipated by mid-November.
The biennial budget reflects the policies, goals, programs and service priorities and values of the Lakewood City Council. It represents a financial roadmap for the city that guides operational decision‐making, strengthens organizational values, and invests in vital community initiatives.
The City Council will review the proposed budget at the following meetings:
- Nov. 4, 2024 7 p.m.: Public hearing on the proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Budget as part of the City Council regular meeting.
- Nov. 12, 2024 7 p.m.: Review of the proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Budget as part of the City Council study session.
- Nov. 18, 2024, 7 p.m.: Anticipated adoption of the proposed 2025-2026 Biennial Budget as part of the City Council regular meeting.
Once adopted, the budget establishes the direction for all city programs and services for the coming biennium.
Sound Healing Bath
Join Yoga instructor Patrea Sunday, Oct. 27 from 7-8 p.m. as she leads the group through 60 minutes of sound healing and yin postures. There’s only 12 spots remaining, so reserve today! Bring comfortable clothing and an openness to release and receive. The workshop is at The Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Lane SW. Register today.
Registration is open for November recreation programs
The next round of recreation programming kicks off the first week of November. Now is the time to register for classes. Offerings include various levels of yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong and Cardio Drumming.
Register for Tai Chi, Qigong & Cardio Drumming
Sign up for the next session of Lakewood’s wellness recreation programming. Offerings include:
- Gentle Yoga (Mondays/Thursdays)
- Yin/Yang Yoga (Thursdays)
- Beginning Qigong (Tuesdays)
- Beginning Tai Chi (Tuesdays)
- Cardio Drumming (Wednesdays)
Find the full class list and class/Sound Healing registration links online.
Save the date: Fall Community Cleanup is Nov. 9-10
Bring trash, junk and recyclables to the Lakewood Transfer Station for the city’s Fall Community Cleanup Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9-10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last vehicle admitted at 1:45 p.m.).
This event is for Lakewood residents only; a utility bill or ID is required to show proof of residence. Participants should be prepared to back up a steep ramp, unload all items yourself, bag all loose items and wear proper footwear. Read more about what is allowed and not allowed.
Council Corner: Oct. 14 meeting recap
Pierce Transit Destination 2045 Long Range Plan. Over the next 20 years, Pierce County will continue to grow, which means even more people travelling within the county and across the region by 2045. Pierce Transit presented its longrang planning effforts to the Lakewood City Council Monday. In the presentation the agency outlined how it is adapting and will have to grow, while still providing safe, reliable, innovative, and useful connections for residents and visitors in Pierce County. The strategy for how to do this is outlined in its Destination 2045 Long Range Plan. The plan builds on the foundation set with previously adopted plans, such as Destination 2040 (of 2016) and a minor update in 2020. The 2045 plan will provide a blueprint for growth over the next 20 years in high capacity transit and fixed route service options if additional operating funding becomes available. Learn more.
Review 2025-2026 Federal, State and Pierce County Legislative Agenda and Policy Manual. The Lakewood City Council reviewed its government relations documents in preparation of the start of the 2025 legislative season at the county, state and federal levels.
Review of Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) Program and Residential Target Area (RTA). Growth targets are set for cities across Washington, including Lakewood. These growth targets require long-range planning efforts to ensure there is enough housing available to accommodate a growing population. Cities traditionally are not set up to build housing, so they must use programs or incentives to encourage private development. One program is a Multi-Family Tax Exemption, or MFTE, to make projects financially feasible to build. This program is an economic development tool that provides a finical incentive to build affordable, multi-family housing. It supports a variety of new long-term housing types – both owner-occupied and for rent.
Residential Target Areas, or RTAs, are areas designed to handle an increase in residential development. RTAs are necessary to implement the MFTE program. In 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 792 to comply with state law for a MFTE program. At that time, it was decided not to expand existing, or add new, RTAs. The City Council instead directed the Planning Commission to review the city’s Central Business District as a potential expansion area for an RTA. The Planning Commission ultimately recommended expanding the RTA along Gravelly Lake Drive SW>
After a public hearing where Lakewood residents made it clear they want to retain the character of the city’s mature single-family residential/low-density areas, the City Council voted against the Planning Commission recommendation. The item was sent back to the Planning Commission for further consideration.
At its study session Monday, the City Council reviewed the latest information about expanding the RTA into the Central Business District and why it is the best location to handle the increased population growth based on long-range plans for the city’s redevelopment of the area. Growth targets identified for Lakewood show approximately 500 net new units must be built per year to meet the population demand by 2044. Read more starting on page 80.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 for a regular meeting at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:
- Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
- Authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with Lakewood Water District for the construction of a water line along 88th Avenue Court SW and Wadsworth Street SW.
- Authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with Lakewood Water District for construction of a water main along Nyanza Road between Gravelly Lake Drive (South) and Gravelly Lake Drive (North).
- Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with David Evans and Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $1,123,586 for services related to the Lakewood Station Access Improvement Project.
- Appointing Nancy Camirand, Donald Doman, Adrianne Kelckner and reappointing Emily Feleen, Darryl Owens, Phillip Raschke and Adriana Serrianne to serve on the Lakewood Arts Commission through October 15, 2027.
- Approving the 2025-2026 Federal, State and Pierce County Legislative Agenda and Policy Manual.
- Public Hearing: To consider the vacation of a section of Cline Road lying between Interstate 5 and Pacific Highway SW.
- Motion providing guidance related to Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Residential Target Area (RTA) expansion.
- Reports by the City Manager: Review of 3rd Quarter (2024) Police Report
- Reports by the City Manager: Review of interlocal agreement between Pierce County and the City of Lakewood for the provision of specialized law enforcement services.
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW; (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.
Weekly Summary, Oct. 8-15, 2024
- Calls for Service: 999 (down 2% from prior week)
- Arrests: 54 (down 11% from prior week)
- Violent Crime: 16 (down 20% from prior week)
- Property Crime: 92 (up 8% from prior week)
- Traffic Stops: 129 (down 10% from prior week)
- Collisions (reportable): 23 (up 21% from prior week)
Community events
All Hallows Eve: A benefit for Centerforce
KeyBank proudly presents “All Hallows Eve: A ‘Just Like You’ Annual Event,” a night filled with spooky delights and enchanting surprises benefiting Centerforce, a nonprofit empowering adults with developmental disabilities in Pierce, South King and Thurston counties for 55+ years.
Help raise support for the nonprofit, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. Doors of the Lakewood Elks Lodge #2388 will creak open at 5 p.m. For $35, you’ll unlock a treasure trove of experiences, including two drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres. The adults-only evening includes a silent auction with local experiences and a raffle with Alaska Airlines tickets.
The goal is to raise $40,000 to support Centerforce programs that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find jobs and engage in their communities. Learn more and buy 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.
Now Hiring!
There are a variety of positions available for hard workers looking to join the City of Lakewood team. 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
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
The new signal bridge is in place and wiring and a new service meter is being installed. The contractor was unable to complete all the work this week as originally planned. The road reopened to traffic Thursday evening and will remain open through the weekend. The roads will close Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 am and remain closed through the late afternoon of Oct. 22. The following closures will be implemented:
- Ardmore will close from Steilacoom Blvd to Whitman Avenue.
- Whitman Avenue will close from Motor Avenue to Steilacoom Blvd.
- 93rd Street will close from Bridgeport Way to Whitman Avenue.
Farwest Drive, Safe Routes to School
Work is paused while waiting for the new pedestrian luminaires to be delivered (anticipated for end of October). If the luminaries are delivered as estimated, work will resume in November.
84th and Pine
The contractor is expected to work on the new signal system Monday Oct. 21. Once the new lights have been wired, testing of the signal will begin.
Hipkins Road
The contractor continues to work on the remaining to-do items.
Rose Rd Sanitary Sewer Project
This sewer extension project was awarded to Miles Resources. Work is anticipated to start in January 2025 due to material procurement lead times.
Steilacoom Boulevard (Weller Road to 87th Ave SW)
The city issued its advertisement for bids on this project. The city will open bids Oct. 23 and review. After a contractor is selected, a contract will be sent to the Lakewood City Council for approval. Once approved a construction timeline will be created and shared with the public. Road construction will begin this fall on this stretch of roadway for a $6 million road improvement project. Once construction begins, drivers can expect all-day lane closures over an extended period.