Happy Thanksgiving Lakewood
This Thanksgiving weekend the City of Lakewood and its employees want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all our residents, neighbors and friends.
We are thankful and grateful to everyone who makes our community stronger. From community leaders and volunteers to business owners and those who call Lakewood home: Thank you for everything you do to make Lakewood a great place to live and work.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lakewood City Hall, city services closed for Thanksgiving
Lakewood City Hall, the Lakewood police station and city operations will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Regular operations resume Monday morning, Dec. 2. While the lobby of the Lakewood police station will be closed to the public, Lakewood police officers will be working regular patrols and responding to resident calls for service.
Congratulations Superintendent Banner and CPSD School Board
The Clover Park School District has reason to celebrate. Superintendent Ron Banner was recently named Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) and the CPSD Board of Directors was named a 2024 Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA).
The annual Superintendent of the Year award is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents and pay tribute to those who lead Washington’s public schools.
In a release, WASA Executive Director Joel Aune noted that through continuous improvement and innovative initiatives, Banner and his team are building a stronger, more united community that supports public education and champions equity for all. Read more.
The school board Board of Distinction selection was based on the board’s “demonstrated commitment to the holistic success of CPSD students and its focus on equity, student growth and the Four Pillars of Student Success (lifelong learner, collaboration, character and leadership).”
The CPSD school board previously received this recognition in 2016, 2017, 2020 and was named the WSSDA Board of the Year for large school districts in 2019. Read more.
Congratulations Superintendent Banner and CPSD school board members! We are lucky to have you lead the way for our students.
Lakewood City Hall late opening Wednesday Dec. 4, 2024
Lakewood City Hall will open at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 so that city employees can attend an end of year employee recognition event that morning.
We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience while we celebrate and recognize our employees for their hard work in 2024.
Fallen Officer Food & Blood Drive is Dec. 5
This year’s Fallen Officer Food Drive to benefit Emergency Food Network and blood drive to support Bloodworks NW is Dec. 5 from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Lakewood police station.
During this event people are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the parking lot across from the police station at 9401 Lakewood Drive SW. Drop items with volunteers who will be out all-day waving signs.
Can’t make it Dec. 5? You can also drop off nonperishable food in EFN collection bins during Dec. 2-9 at the following locations:
- Lakewood Police Department, 9401 Lakewood Dr. SW
- Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW
- Blue Steele Coffee, 11401 Steele St. S.
- Classy Chassis Car Wash and Detail, 7432 Custer Road
- Lakewood Classic Coffee, 7609 Custer Road
- University Place Classic Coffee, 4828 Bridgeport Way W.
The blood drive will be held Dec. 5 at the station from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only. Sign up online with Sponsor Code 4109: Bit.ly/4hAtQXS
Public feedback sought on 2025-29 Consolidated Plan
The City of Lakewood is seeking public input on how it should invest both Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Act (HOME) monies over the next five years to serve low- and moderate-income Lakewood residents.
Your input is greatly appreciated. Take the short survey online. The deadline for the survey is Dec. 8.
Lakewood Holiday Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting is Dec. 7
Join us in just over a week for the Lakewood Holiday Parade of Lights & Christmas Tree Lighting.
Saturday, Dec. 7 we’re taking over the Lakewood Towne Center for this community event. Line the parade route to cheer on local Lakewood businesses, school groups and community organizations. Parade participants will proceed from Park Lodge Elementary School onto Gravelly Lake Drive and turn left onto Main Street SW, stopping just past the roundabout at Lakewood City Hall.
Once Santa arrives on the West Pierce Fire & Rescue fire truck, he’ll help Mayor Jason Whalen and the Lakewood City Council countdown to the Christmas tree lighting. The tree is in the center of the roundabout in front of City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW.
Arrive early to hear carolers from Claudia Thomas and Hudtloff middle schools, snap a selfie with Santa starting at 5 p.m. inside Lakewood City Hall, enjoy food trucks, entertainment and face painting.
Register for Lakewood’s Jingle Bell 5k & Kids Dash
The City of Lakewood is excited to again partner with the Lakes Cross Country Booster Club to host a Jingle Bell 5K Walk/Run & 1K Kids Dash at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Join us on Saturday, Dec. 14 for a family-friendly event.
Wear your best holiday-themed costume, dress up your pet, and hit the trails for this holiday-themed fun run.
The 1-mile Kids Dash starts at 9:30 a.m. The 5k walk/run starts at 10 a.m. Chip timing will be provided by GC Racing.
- Pre-registration: $10 for 12 and under; $30 everyone else.
- Day-of registration: $15 for 12 and under; $35 everyone else.
Event details and registration are found online.
The proceeds from this affordable event go to support the Lakes Cross Country Booster Club, contributing to the enhancement of youth running events in the South Puget Sound area.
City Days at the McGavick Conference Center
The City of Lakewood is currently accepting applications for the use of a 2025 City Day at the Clover Park Technical College McGavick Conference Center. Please click here to view the policy and application materials. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Applicants will be notified as to the approval or denial of the application by Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
Complete applications can be emailed directly to City Clerk Briana Schumacher or can be delivered in person or by mail to Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499.
If you have any questions regarding the application or process, please contact City Clerk Briana Schumacher at [email protected] or 253-983-7705.
Council Corner: Nov. 25 recap
Joint Youth Council meeting. Members of the Lakewood Youth Council met with the Lakewood City Council to review their plans for the coming year and the initiatives they will work on to support the youth voice in Lakewood. This includes hosting the annual Youth Council Youth Empowerment Summit in the spring, which brings youth from across Lakewood together, and participating on the city’s boards and commissions.
Introduction of 2024 Locally-Initiated Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update. Lakewood is updating its Critical Areas Ordinance to better protect fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas. The updates reflect best available science. The ordinance will also be updated to regulate critical areas not governed under the city’s Shoreline Master Program. The city is also updating its Shoreline Master Program to reflect the changes made to the Critical Areas Ordinance. The update is strictly limited and does not amend any other text of the Shoreline Master Program. Read more on page 5 of the City Council agenda packet.
Review an ordinance related to endangerment with a controlled substance. The City Council reviewed a draft ordinance that would make it a gross misdemeanor to knowingly or recklessly permit a child or dependent person to have contact with a controlled substance. For purposes of the ordinance, “controlled substance” does not include cannabis and does not apply if the controlled substance was obtained by prescription or while delivering health care services. View the ordinance on page 147.
Watch the meeting.
What’s on Deck: The Lakewood City Council meets Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 for a regular meeting at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers. Tentative agenda items include:
- Swearing-In Ceremony for Tim Lewis, Municipal Court Judge
- Reports by the Youth Council and Clover Park School District
- Approving a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation & US Department of Transportation to conduct a downtown transportation feasibility study.
- Authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and expenditures for the American Lake Boat Launch Repairs.
- Authorizing the execution of a contract with Camino to upgrade the permitting system and supporting development guide and application portal.
- Confirming Mark Scheibmeir as the City of Lakewood Hearing Examiner.
- Reappointing Kyle Franklin and Michael Lacadie to serve on the Community Services Advisory Board through Dec. 15, 2028.
- Cancelling the City Council Regular Meeting of Dec. 16, 2024 and the City Council Study Session of Dec. 23, 2024.
- Public Hearing: 2024 Final Budget Adjustment.
- Ordinance adopting amendments to the 2019 Shoreline Master Program.
- Ordinance creating Chapter 9.16 of the Lakewood Municipal Code entitled Endangerment with a Controlled Substance.
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
The Police Chief’s Corner summary will return the week of Dec. 2 with two weeks of analysis.
Community events
Support Partners for Parks on Giving Tuesday
Have you heard of Giving Tuesday? It’s a Global Day of Giving, and a great opportunity to make a difference in your community by donating to the causes you care about. This year, consider supporting nonprofit Partners for Parks and its efforts to restore the historic H-Barn at Fort Steilacoom Park.
BMW Northwest and Amazon agreed to MATCH dollar-for-dollar gifts and pledges to the project, up to $100,000, on (or before) Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3, 2024 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Partners for Parks is hoping to raise $100,000 on this day to put transform the H-Barn into a unique and much needed multi-purpose facility for public and private use. The nonprofit has already raised $2.3 million toward its $3.5 million goal.
To learn more about the historic H-Barn project visit: https://partnersforparks.net
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
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. Residents may see crews in the area as early as next week, weather permitting, while they begin preliminary surveying for this project. The survey work will add one-foot squares of white paint on certain roads. Construction is not anticipated to begin until the fall of 2025.
Ardmore/Whitman/93rd: This project is complete.
Hipkins Road: The contractor continues to work on final items.
84th and Pine: The contractor will be on site soon to finish minor items and install pedestrian lighting.
Farwest Drive SW: The contract is currently in suspension while waiting for new pedestrian luminaires to be delivered.
Rose Road Sanitary Sewer Project: Work is anticipated to start early 2025.
Steilacoom Boulevard – Weller to 87th Ave: Active Construction, Inc. is expected to start construction in early 2025.
South Tacoma Way Overlay – 96th to Steilacoom Blvd.: The contract was awarded to Miles Resources. Work is expected to start in early spring 2025.