April 29, 2022: Lakewood Headlines
Members of the Nisqually Indian Tribe visited Fort Steilacoom Park this week – the City & Tribe are working together to commemorate the tribal history of the land with art and exhibits at the park.
Over 200 volunteers helped beautify Lakewood parks last Saturday on Parks Appreciation Day. Six cleanups were held throughout the City. Volunteers of all ages participated.
Lakewood’s two library branches are in declining condition. Volunteers must apply by tomorrow, April 30, to join an advisory committee to help the Pierce County Library System decide how it could best serve Lakewood.
Numerous sidewalk projects are underway throughout Lakewood. Many more are planned for the next few years. Lakewood’s walkability is improving quickly. Sidewalks in school zones and along major arterials are priorities.
City Planning To Commemorate Chief Leschi, Tribal History at Fort Steilacoom Park
Members of the Nisqually Indian Tribe visited Lakewood to tour the park and discuss ideas with City staff.
The City of Lakewood and Nisqually Indian Tribe are working together to incorporate tribal history into Lakewood parks, especially the story of Chief Leschi.
1854, tribal leaders were forced to sign the Medicine Creek Treaty, ceding ancestral lands to the federal government. Four years later, Chief Leschi was unjustly executed after being accused of murder. Leschi was exonerated by the Washington State Historical Court of Inquiry and Justice in 2004.
Commemorative signage, murals, public art, sculptures, trails, or other amenities are being considered to commemorate this history.
Over 200 Volunteers Helped Clean Up Lakewood Parks on Parks Appreciation Day
Cleanup events at six Lakewood parks helped reduce litter, improve playground safety, and beautify the parks just in time for the busy season.
Last Saturday was Parks Appreciation Day, an annual tradition in Pierce County. Each spring, local cities celebrate by organizing volunteer events at local parks. Scores of volunteers showed up Saturday in Lakewood to beautify their parks.
Six cleanups occurred in Lakewood last weekend: American Lake Park, Fort Steilacoom Park, Springbrook Park, the 112th Street Community Garden, Wards Lake Park, and Kiwanis Park. Over 200 volunteers participated across these events.
Volunteer to Help Plan Library Facilities in Lakewood & Tillicum
Lakewood’s libraries require repair or replacement – join an advisory board to help the Library System decide what to do.
Lakewood’s two library branches are in declining physical condition. The City and Library System are forming an advisory committee to inform facility planning. Residents may apply to join the committee through Saturday, April 30.
Both buildings are older, and both need expensive repairs. The committee will review public input, study building needs, and advise the Library System on how to best serve Lakewood. Selected committee members will meet approximately five times between June and September.
Lakewood’s Sidewalk Network Growing, Many More Projects Planned
Two sidewalk projects are underway, both adding sidewalks near schools along busy arterials. Many more projects are planned for the next few years.
A new bike lane now lines the north side of Steilacoom Boulevard next to a stretch of new sidewalk leading to Custer Elementary. Schoolchildren now have a much safer walk home from school, and pedestrian access to local businesses has improved.
This is one of many projects that the City has planned to improve walkability in Lakewood. The next project to begin is a sidewalk along Phillips Road between Onyx and Agate. That will help students from Hudtloff Middle School walk to and from school more safely, and will improve pedestrian access to the nature area across the street.
Expect Traffic Adjustments in Lake City Beginning on May 16
Some roads will close, some roads will open, and some disruption should be expected in late May.
Two new roundabouts on Washington Boulevard are nearly complete. The intersection of Washington Boulevard & Gravelly Lake Drive will reopen on May 24.
On May 25, the intersection of Gravelly Lake Drive and Veterans Drive will close. A utility pole must be removed within the roundabout.
During this brief closure, traffic will resume the familiar detour around the east side of the lake. Drivers will take Nyanza north and Gravelly Lake back east towards Lake City. This detour should conclude on May 31.
Additional utility work during the week of May 30 will require lane closures. This may contribute to slight delays along Gravelly Lake Drive near the highway entrance and exit.
By early June, this work will be complete and the most inconvenient phase of Lake City road work will be over. The next phase of work will be much less disruptive.
More Headlines
- Students Grades 9-12 Invited to Lakewood Youth Summit
- Pierce Trips has given Lakewood 100 bus passes to help residents attend summer events
- Organizations are invited to “Adopt A Street” to help reduce litter.
Events
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Summit | May 21, 2022 | City Hall |
| Youth Fishing Event | May 14, 2022 | American Lake Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Dancing in the Streets | May 21, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
| Paddle, Row, & Canoe Day | June 4, 2022 | Harry Todd Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 7, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 14, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Carnival of Cultures | June 18, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 21, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | June 28, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concert: Afrodisiacs | June 28, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 5, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 12, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Herding Cats | July 12, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 19, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Olsen Brothers | July 19, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| SummerFest | July 23, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | July 26, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Candy Shoppe | July 26, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 2, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 9, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Good Co. Swing | August 9, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Jazz Night & Car Show | August 13, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 16, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Summer Nights Concerts: Paperback Writer | August 16, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 23, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Lakewood Farmers Market | August 30, 2022 | Fort Steilacoom Park |
| Saturday Street Festivals: Fiesta de la Familia | September 17, 2022 | Colonial Plaza |
Roads
- Gravelly Lake & Nyanza: The most painful stage of road work in Lake City is almost over. On May 23, Washington & Gravelly Lake Drive will reopen, but several new closures and detours will be required for the following two weeks. Pavement will be smoothed, utilities moved, striping applied, and then the hard part will finally be over. Future construction will be less disruptive for Lake City residents.
- Steilacoom & Weller: Sidewalks and a bike lane were installed along the north side of Steilacoom Boulevard between Weller & Phillips. Sidewalks will now be installed along the south side of Steilacoom Boulevard between Weller & Custer. That work will go out to bid next week, and work is expected to begin in June.
- 59th & Bridgeport: Sidewalks will be added along the east side of 59th Avenue between Bridgeport & 100th. Construction will begin in a few weeks.
- South Tacoma Way & 512: An overlay will be applied to resurface South Tacoma Way between SR-512 and 108th. That project will go out to bid shortly, and work will begin this summer.
- Phillips & Onyx: Construction of sidewalks along Phillips Road between Agate Drive and Onyx Drive will begin in May. Sidewalks will line the west side of the street, and a five-foot bike lane will line the east side. Segments of Phillips will slim to one lane with flaggers directing traffic during the work.
City Council Summary: April 25, 2022 (Study Session)
City Council is considering enhancing the process to rename a public park or facility. Last year, a resident submitted an application to rename Fort Steilacoom Park. All such applications trigger a public notice. Many opposed the notion of renaming the park. The process worked well to notify the community and invite opinion. The application was unanimously rejected by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB).
On May 16, City Council will consider new rules recommended by PRAB. An application to rename a facility would have to include a minimum of 600 signatures. The application then must clear several more hurdles before the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board would consider it. Public input would be invited throughout the process.
Deputy City Manager Tho Kraus shared the 2021 Transportation Benefit District Annual Report. Transportation Benefit Districts are taxing districts created to fund local road improvements. 2020 revenues funded parts of the JBLM North Access Project, a major road reconstruction and pedestrian improvement project in the Lake City area.
Kraus next reviewed the 2021 Year-End Financial Report. General/Street Fund operating revenues were $46.3 million, exceeding operating expenditures of $38.2 million. Revenues from sales tax, gambling tax, and camera enforcement exceeded expectations. All departments were within budget. Higher-than-anticipated revenues and sound financial policies have created a surplus available for one-time investments.
The City’s financial state was very healthy during pre-pandemic prosperity. The City’s future outlook appears stable, despite challenges such as global conflict, supply chain delays, and material shortages. The City’s financial health and stability is attributable to City Council’s adopted financial policies, and not to federal relief funds.
Kraus next reviewed the proposed 2022 Carry Forward Budget Adjustment. The adjustment revises the 2022 beginning fund balance to reflect the 2021 ending fund balance. It also includes new City Council-approved investments and adds budgets for grant-funded projects. The adjustment also updates capital project budgets, and details American Rescue Plan Act revenues and expenditures.
An estimated $6.7 million is available for one-time expenditures such as capital improvements. Budget adjustments are detailed beginning on page 148 in the meeting’s agenda. A related public hearing will be heard on May 2.
Until Next Week…
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