Lakewood Weekly Headlines: May 6, 2022

May 6, 2022: Lakewood Headlines

Lakewood’s summertime special events will kick off on May 21 with “Dancing In The Streets”. Enjoy food trucks and a beer garden, and learn some new dance moves.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the area to celebrate the passage of a bipartisan infrastructure bill. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act may advance Pierce County infrastructure projects like the removal of the obsolete Chambers Creek Dam.

The most inconvenient stage of road work in Lake City is almost over. North Gate Road will close on Monday, May 9. A detour has been established. Washington Boulevard and Gravelly Lake Drive will reopen on May 24, but there will be additional detours and closures until mid-June.

7th and 8th graders are now invited to the Lakewood Youth Summit on May 21. Kids will talk with their peers about stress and mental health. Participants also enjoy games, activities, free food, and a live DJ. The event is free to attend. Transportation may be arranged.


Lakewood to Celebrate “Dancing In The Streets” on May 21

Lakewood to host four Saturday Street Festivals in Colonial Plaza throughout the summer.

Father & son go for a spin in Lakewood’s Colonial Plaza during a concert

Lakewood’s series of summertime Saturday Street Festivals kicks off on May 21. Four exciting events are scheduled, beginning with “Dancing In The Streets” on the 21st.

Saturday Street Festival: Dancing in the Streets
Saturday, May 21, 2022
4:00 to 8:30 p.m.
6114 Motor Avenue SW, Lakewood

The event will pack Colonial Plaza with food trucks, a beer garden, a live DJ, and entertainment. Dance groups will teach popular moves. Participants of all ages are invited to shake a leg.


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and State Legislators Visit to Discuss Infrastructure

A project to remove the obsolete Chambers Creek Dam may be advanced by a recent federal infrastructure package.

Lakewood City Councilmember Don Anderson thanks Speaker Nancy Pelosi for visiting the site of the Chambers Creek Dam, a project that may benefit from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed in 2021.

The City of Lakewood works closely with tribes, agencies, and legislators at all levels to form effective partnerships and advance infrastructure projects of regional benefit. A recent bipartisan federal infrastructure package may advance some regional infrastructure projects in Pierce County.

On Wednesday, May 4, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, Rep. Derek Kilmer, Nisqually Tribal Chairman Willie Frank III, Puyallup Tribal Chairman Bill Sterud, and Lakewood City Councilmember Don Anderson visited the Chambers Creek Dam to talk about the legislation. The new funding may help advance the removal of the obsolete Chambers Creek Dam.


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.

Workers pour wide new sidewalks along Gravelly Lake Drive near Washington Boulevard. The intersection will reopen on May 24.

The intersection of Gravelly Lake Drive and Washington Boulevard will reopen on May 24, but several other brief closures and detours will follow. Until mid-June, Lake City residents may expect continued delays and detours.

Once Washington & Gravelly Lake reopens, Gravelly Lake & Veterans will close. Traffic will resume the familiar detour from the highway north on Nyanza, then west on Gravelly Lake. Once paving and striping is complete, the most inconvenient phase of road construction will be overwith.

Future phases of work will be much less disruptive. North Gate Road will close at Nottingham and Edgewood Washington on Monday, May 9. North Gate Road will be rebuilt, then sections of Washington Boulevard later this year.

Sign up for email updates on the project at the link below:


Lakewood Youth Summit Approaching on May 21

Over 160 kids are signed up for the Youth Summit on May 21, now open to 7th and 8th graders.

Students in grades 7-12 will gather for the Lakewood Youth Summit on May 21

Students are invited to the City of Lakewood Youth Summit to learn how to manage stress, plan for a career, financial literacy, and more. Students will leave motivated to contribute to their community and plan their future.

The event is now open to 7th & 8th graders. Over 160 students have registered so far.

2022 Youth Summit
Saturday, May 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Harrison Preparatory School
9103 Lakewood Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499


More Headlines


Events

EventDateLocation
Youth SummitMay 21, 2022City Hall
Youth Fishing EventMay 14, 2022American Lake Park
Saturday Street Festivals: Dancing in the StreetsMay 21, 2022Colonial Plaza
Paddle, Row, & Canoe DayJune 4, 2022Harry Todd Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketJune 7, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketJune 14, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Saturday Street Festivals: Carnival of CulturesJune 18, 2022Colonial Plaza
Lakewood Farmers MarketJune 21, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketJune 28, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Summer Nights Concert: AfrodisiacsJune 28, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketJuly 5, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketJuly 12, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Summer Nights Concerts: Herding CatsJuly 12, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketJuly 19, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Summer Nights Concerts: Olsen BrothersJuly 19, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
SummerFestJuly 23, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketJuly 26, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Summer Nights Concerts: Candy ShoppeJuly 26, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketAugust 2, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketAugust 9, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Summer Nights Concerts: Good Co. SwingAugust 9, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Saturday Street Festivals: Jazz Night & Car ShowAugust 13, 2022Colonial Plaza
Lakewood Farmers MarketAugust 16, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Summer Nights Concerts: Paperback WriterAugust 16, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketAugust 23, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Lakewood Farmers MarketAugust 30, 2022Fort Steilacoom Park
Saturday Street Festivals: Fiesta de la FamiliaSeptember 17, 2022Colonial 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: May 2, 2022 (Regular Meeting)

City Council proclaimed the week of May 2 as ‘Water Week’ and acknowledged the efforts of the Lakewood Water District to serve residents clean and safe water.

City Council proclaimed May as Hunger Awareness Month. Emergency Food Network Development Director Elizabeth Howe noted that May is the end of the school year, and many families lose access to an important food source. Inflation and rising rents are additional challenges for families, and additional reasons to donate food.

City Council proclaimed the week of May 11 as National Police Week, and acknowledged the contributions of police officers to our City and society. The City Council reflected on the 21,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty nationwide, including 4 officers here in Lakewood.

City Council approved the 2021 Transportation Benefit District Annual Report and a contract for American Lake Park improvements. The park will receive ADA-accessible paths to the waterfront, new bathrooms, and a new shelter near the beach, among other improvements.

Cluster-style mailboxes will be required when the city has proposed major street reconstruction that necessitates the removal of present mailboxes. These mailboxes contribute to improved mail security and delivery efficiency, reducing stop-and-go delivery traffic on Lakewood streets.

Guidelines are now established to govern the removal and resignation of advisory board and commission members. Such removals would only occur following obvious impropriety.

City Council approved the CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan. Lakewood’s CDBG programs support major home repairs, affordable housing development, and other programs. City Council moved to redirect down payment assistance funds in favor of major home repair funds. The City’s major home repair program helps low-income homeowners perform necessary repairs they couldn’t otherwise afford.

LPD Chief Mike Zaro presented his Q1 2022 Quarterly Crime Report. Property crime fell dramatically from the prior quarter. Person crimes like assault are at three-year lows. Reckless driving has been a concern, but Q1 2022 accident rates fell sharply from last quarter’s levels. Vehicle theft continues to increase to unprecedented rates. 305 vehicles were stolen last quarter.

Zaro attributes the surge to new legislation restricting pursuits – vehicle theft soared immediately upon the passage of the legislation. Suspects also attempt to evade police officers by driving recklessly away from officers at unprecedented rates. Attempts to evade police have increased tenfold.

Zaro noted improved safety and reduced calls for service at mobile home parks. Some parks have seen calls for service fall by 60% or more. Zaro cites responsive property management and their cooperation with the City as a catalyst.


Until Next Week…

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