Update: 100th Street vacation request denied
The Lakewood City Council denied a request to vacate a portion of 100th Street SW at its Sept. 16, 2024 regular meeting.
The adjoining property owners requested the full vacation. The property is publicly owned by the city. It runs from 100th Street into Lake Steilacoom.
The property is described on page 20 of a 2023 street ends report (view the PDF report). The report identifies all street ends across the city. For each street end, options are presented for how to increase public access to the water. Recommendations range from development of the small parcels, to vacating the land to adjoining property owners.
At the meeting, Planning and Public Works Director Jeff Rimack said the property owner requested the City Council postpone its decision until mid-October. This was so the property owner could submit a complete appraisal, which the city requested.
Councilmember Mike Branstetter said his decision would not change after reviewing a complete appraisal. He said he did not support vacating the land. He motioned to act on the ordinance. Council members Patti Belle and Ryan Pearson joined Brandstetter in voting against the request. Mayor Jason Whalen and Councilmember Paul Bocchi abstained. Deputy Mayor Mary Moss and Councilmember J. Trestin Lauricella had excused absences and were not at the meeting.
What are Lakewood’s ‘street ends’?
The request to vacate 100th Street SW, a “street end” in Lakewood, increased public awareness and interest in the numerous streets in Lakewood that end at the city’s various lakes.
“Street ends” are designated public right-of-way (ROW) located throughout the city. These ends border four lakes, including American Lake, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise and Lake Steilacoom.
The lakes are public and open to everyone. But access is limited from the street ends due to overgrown vegetation and lack of city resources to develop and maintain the access points.
Over the past year the volunteer-led Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviewed an updated report (PDF) that identified the city’s street end properties. As part of its review, the volunteer board used a matrix to determine which sites to move forward to increase public access as part of a pilot program. View the advisory board’s recommendations here (PDF).
The Lakewood City Council will review and discuss the advisory board recommendation at its Sept. 23, 2024 study session. Previously the City Council identified increasing access to the city’s public lakes as a priority. Its review on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 marks the next step in this process.
New housing application received for Lakewood Towne Center
The City of Lakewood received significant modifications to an application submitted in February 2024 that proposes adding market rate housing to Lakewood Towne Center in the parking lot area adjacent to the Barnes and Noble building.
The new project scope includes a total of 311 market rate housing units. These are composed of:
- 143 units in a five-story building.
- 168 units spread across seven, three-story garden-style buildings.
The project proposes 40,132-square-feet of common open area, 476 on-site parking stalls, indoor and outdoor amenity areas for tenants and large landscaped buffers. View the project application on the City of Lakewood permit dashboard. Or contact Senior Planner Andrea Bell at the contact information listed below for the application and listed studies.
The public comment period for the proposal runs Friday, Sept. 20 to Oct. 4, 2024.
Written comments must include the permit number (#10185, Project ID #5447) and should be sent to the City of Lakewood Planning and Public Works department at the following addresses:
By mail:
- Attn: Andrea Bell
City of Lakewood Planning & Public Works
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
By email:
- Andrea Bell, Senior Planner
[email protected]
Lakewood Municipal Code requires a project of this type to go before the Hearing Examiner for review and public hearing. A public hearing date is pending and will be shared once it is set.
Hipkins Road reopens to traffic
The final paving of Hipkins Road was completed this week and the city’s contractor is scheduled to reopen the road to through traffic Friday evening (Sept. 20, 2024).
The city thanks the community and neighbors for their patience while this important road improvement project was completed. It was a disruption to many in our city who use this busy through street multiple times a day to go to and from work, the store and elsewhere in Lakewood.
While the road closure was lifted, the city’s contractor will remain on site during the work week to finish final work. This includes raising utility castings and doing general site restoration. This work will require daytime closures of Hipkins Road and Angle Lane while workers are on site. This is expected to be Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., throughout the duration of the work. The road will reopen at the end of each shift and be open on weekends.
The only exception to this will be a road closure at night for final channelization (early- to mid-October, weather depending). More information about that closure will be shared closer to the work.
Save the date: Truck & Tractor Day is Oct. 12
Our favorite fall festival is just around the corner. Truck & Tractor Day is Saturday, Oct. 12 from 12-3 p.m.
Head to Fort Steilacoom Park for a day of free family fun. Enjoy free hayrides around Waughop Lake, pick out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch (each family gets 1 pumpkin) and make sure to stop by the City of Lakewood booth to get a free hard hat for the kids (while supplies last). There will be food, entertainment and a chance to climb on big trucks and equipment.
Fort Steilacoom Park is located at 8714 87th Ave SW. Truck & Tractor Day activities are located between the large playground, the historic barns and The Pavilion.
Fall wellness programming in Lakewood
Fall is here and it’s time to return to your wellness routine. The City of Lakewood offers recreation programming focused on wellness and overall well-being.
Registration is now open for the following:
Sound Healing Bath Sept. 29
Join yoga instructor Patrea as she leads you through 60 minutes of sound healing and yin postures in this wellness-focused workshop.
Registration is open now. Cost is $30. Secure your spot by registering today, or pay at the door.
Bring comfortable clothing and an openness to release and receive.
Yoga & Tai Chi
Registration is now open for the next session of Lakewood’s wellness recreation programming.
Most classes begin Sept. 30 or the first week of October. Classes include:
- Gentle Yoga (Monday & Thursday classes available)
- Vinyasa Yoga (Monday classes)
- Yin/Yang Yoga (Thursday classes)
- Tai Chi (Beginner and Intermediate)
Find the full class list and registration links online.
Want to help plan the future of transit in Pierce County?
As our community changes and grows over the next 20 years, how and why we travel will also change. To ensure we are ready, Pierce Transit is crafting a new Long Range Plan, called Destination 2045. In September Pierce Transit is holding several in-person open houses and a virtual town hall, inviting people to offer input on the priorities they believe Pierce Transit should focus on, and how they think transit in Pierce County should grow and develop over the next two decades. Please join Pierce Transit at one of these upcoming events:
- Saturday, Sept. 21: In-person open house, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Puyallup Public Library, 324 S Meridian, Puyallup.
- Online Self-Guided Open House available until Sept. 21 on website listed below
For more information about Destination 2045 and Pierce Transit’s Long Range Plan process, visit PierceTransit.org/LongRangePlans. The Pierce Transit Board is expected to take action on the Long Range Plan next spring.
Desserts on the Driveway: Sept. 24 in Lake City
“Desserts on the Driveway” is an innovative initiative connecting Mayor Jason Whalen and Lakewood City Council members with different Lakewood neighborhoods to talk with residents.
This event offers neighbors a platform to voice concerns, share ideas for solutions, and gain insight into city services. The next event is:
- Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.: Lake City (former elementary school site)
Volunteers needed: Waughop Lake shoreline maintenance
The City of Lakewood is partnering with Pierce Conservation District to host monthly volunteer work parties to help remove invasive species from around Waughop Lake in Fort Steilacoom Park.
The work parties will typically be held the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. View the event details on the PCD website calendar.
Volunteers can expect to help care for existing plants and remove invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and thistle. This work supports water quality, our local wildlife, and pollinators. The exact meeting location will be provided after signing up.
Council Corner: Sept. 16 meeting recap
The Lakewood City Council acted on the following:
- Authorized the award of a construction contract to Miles Resources, LLC, in the amount of $1,528,008.00, for the Rose/Fern/Forest Sewer Extension Project.
- Reappointed J. Alan Billingsley, Vito Iacobazzi and Janet Spingath to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board through Sept. 19, 2027.
- Set a public hearing date of Oct. 21, 2024 to consider the vacation of the section of Cline Road lying between Interstate 5 and Pacific Highway SW.
- Denied an ordinance considering the proposed vacation of a portion of 100th Street SW lying west of Dekoven Drive and east of Steilacoom Lake.
- Adopted an ordinance amending Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 8.76 related to park code special use/special events definition.
- Adopted amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map, and Development Regulations as part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulation Periodic Review and other Municipal Code amendments to comply with recent state law changes.
- Adopted amendments to the City’s Development Regulations as part of the state-required 2024 decennial Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulation Periodic Review as well as several other Municipal Code amendments to comply with recent state law changes.
- Adopted amendments to Title 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 18A, 18B, AND 18C of the Lakewood Municipal Code (LMC).
- Approved a motion obligating and re-obligating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and accrued interest.
- Approved a motion adding a proviso to the obligation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Pierce County Village Project.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 for a study session at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:
- Review of West Pierce Fire & Rescue Upcoming Ballot Measure/Benefits Charge.
- Review of Tacoma Public Utilities Budget and Rate.
- Joint Lakewood Arts Commission meeting.
- Review of Street End Report Recommendation from Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
How to attend: Attend in person at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW; Join 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.
Weekly Summary, Sept. 10-17, 2024
- Calls for Service: 966
- Arrests: 45
- Violent Crime: 24
- Property Crime: 62
- Traffic Stops: 137
- Collisions (reportable): 25
Community events
Save the date: Harvest Hoedown at the H-Barn
Partners for Parks is hosting a “Harvest Hoedown” Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. to help raise money for its H-Barn restoration project.
This fun-filled, family-friendly event will have live country music, family activities, a festive farm atmosphere, dancing, food trucks and a raffle. Cost is $10 per person. Children eight years and under are free.
The nonprofit Partners for Parks is raising $3.5 million to contribute toward restoration of the historic H-Barn at Fort Steilacoom Park. The group has raised $2.1 million toward its final goal. Learn more about its efforts and purchase 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
Interlaaken Bridge repair
The remaining work includes the replacement of several cross-bracing members beneath the bridge deck. The contractor is expected to begin removing its equipment by the end of next week. The bridge is tentatively scheduled to reopen to traffic by the evening of Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. When it reopens it will still have a 6-ton weight limit restriction in place. This restriction will remain in place until a load rating analysis is completed by the state Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.
Hipkins Road
Final paving was completed this week. The contractor is working on concrete completion, jacking and raising utility castings, and doing general site restoration. Mailbox installations are scheduled for the last week of September. Next week and in the coming weeks road closures will still occur on Hipkins Road and Angle Lane between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, while workers are on site. The road will reopen each evening once work is complete. It will be open on weekends. One last closure is expected in early to mid-October for final channelization of the road. That closure date will be announced once it is set.
Steilacoom Boulevard (Weller Road to 87th Ave SW)
Tacoma Public Utilities continues to replace 38 utility poles along Steilacoom Boulevard between Weller Road and 87th Ave SW. While TPU is doing this work drivers should expect lane closures as the poles are installed over the next three to four months. 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.
Farwest Drive, Safe Routes to School
Work is paused while waiting for the new pedestrian luminaires to be delivered (anticipated for late fall).
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd
The remaining work includes the installation of a new signal bridge. The new signal bridge is expected to arrive at the end of this month or start of October.
84th and Pine
The contractor is waiting for delivery of pedestrian lighting luminaire arms, expected to be shipped at the end of the month. Remaining work includes configuring the new signal, final sign installations, and permanent channelization.