Lakewood City Manager Publishes Weekly Bulletin For September 25

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

To: Mayor, City Council

From: John J. Caulfield, City Manager

Judge Mansfield appointed to Lakewood Municipal Court

The city of Lakewood appointed Lisa Mansfield as the Lakewood Municipal Court Judge on September 21, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the swearing in ceremony occurred virtually during the City Council meeting – a first for the city. Judge Mansfield was sworn in by Washington State Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener.

Judge Mansfield will serve as the Lakewood Municipal Court Judge for the remainder of Judge Adams’ term which expires December 31, 2021. The Lakewood Municipal Court Judge serves in a part-time capacity to the cities of Lakewood, University Place, DuPont, and the town of Steilacoom. Judge Adams was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve on the Pierce County Superior Court starting October 1, 2020.

During the swearing in ceremony, Judge Mansfield expressed her gratitude to the people of Lakewood, stating:

“I look forward to serving you. I look forward to treating each and every person that comes before me with the respect that they deserve. I am honored to be here and I will faithfully do my duties to the best of my abilities. I will treat everyone equally under the law regardless of who they may be.”

Judge Mansfield’s official first day on the Lakewood Municipal Court bench will be October 1, 2020.

“We are so excited and feel very fortunate to have Judge Mansfield join the Lakewood Municipal Court. This process was extremely competitive, we had a lot of great candidates. Ultimately, Judge Mansfield shone the brightest – her commitment to the profession and the greater community is unparalleled. I have no doubt she will do great things while serving our communities in this capacity,” stated Lakewood City Manager John Caulfield.

Prior to her appointment to the bench, since 2008, Judge Mansfield served as a public defender with the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel, Dependency Unit. In this position, Judge Mansfield advised and provided counsel to underrepresented Pierce County parents by advocating for their best interests in Superior Court. Collectively, Judge Mansfield has worked 17 years with the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel. Judge Mansfield has also served as a Judge Pro-Tempore for Thurston County District Court since 2018. Judge Mansfield has ample experience building and enhancing therapeutic courts.

Judge Mansfield received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, WA and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University, New York, NY.

Judge Mansfield is deeply connected in the greater Tacoma-Lakewood community. Currently Judge Mansfield is serving as Immediate Past President of the Pierce County Minority Bar Association, Vice President of Community Outreach for Women Lawyers Board of Directors, University of Tacoma Legal Pathways Advisory Board member, Pierce County Bar Association Magazine Committee member, and the Washington State Bar Diversity Committee member, Chair of the Juvenile Court Committee – Tacoma, Oasis Queer Youth Center Ally, and more.

Judge Mansfield was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She and her husband, Dan, have been married for nearly 15 years and have one child.

Judge Mansfield was awarded the Pierce County Standing Ovation Award for Leadership 2018 for her work in implementing and promoting Washington’s First Safe Babies Court Team. She is a member of Rotary 8. She enjoys writing and has been a frequent contributor to Pierce County Lawyer Magazine and the Washington State Bar News.

Lakewood Commercial Landlord Coronavirus Relief Fund Grant Now Available

The City of Lakewood was allocated an additional $895,000 Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars for the period of March 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. On September 14, the Lakewood City Council directed that some of these funds be used for commercial landlord assistance.

This is a new Lakewood COVID-19 grant program that will provide rental relief to Lakewood commercial landlords that have lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic and attempts to minimize the public’s exposure to COVID-19. The program provides up to $5,000 per month per location and up to six and a half (6.5) months of assistance for a maximum of $37,500 for each tenant that a landlord has within one property.

Any commercial landlord that owns or manages commercial property in the City of Lakewood, and has a standing lease with at least one tenant is eligible to apply.

Application deadline is Friday, October 2nd, 5:00 p.m. Applications will be open beginning at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 23rd.

Application details will be available at 5 p.m. September 22nd at https://cityoflakewood.us/economic_development/

Applications will be accepted on a first in, first out basis. Those who submit a completed application and deemed complete after city review will be processed first. The money granted may be used to cover un-paid rent by lessees and/or to pay mortgages.

For questions about this program contact Becky Newton, 253-983-7738.

Changes to Lakewood’s Firework Code Adopted – Effective July 2022

At the Lakewood City Council meeting on September 21, 2020, the Lakewood City Council approved Ordinance 742 amending city codes related to the discharge of fireworks in Lakewood city limits, Lakewood Municipal Code 8.68.

The approved ordinance restricts the dates legal fireworks can be discharged within Lakewood city limits to 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4th. Discharging fireworks remains permissible from 11:00 p.m. December 31st to 1:00 a.m. January 1st.

Notably, as the adopted changes are more restrictive than state law, changes to the city’s firework codes related to July 4th will not be in effect until 2022 pursuant to RCW 70.77.250(4). Fireworks may therefore continue to be discharged 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 3rd through July 5th, 2021.

Leading up to this vote, the Lakewood City Council considered fireworks at the following meetings and public hearings:

• February 10, 2020 – Lakewood City Council Study Session – Lakewood Police Chief Mike Zaro provided a Fireworks Update which included firework recommendations from the Public Safety Advisory Committee.
• June 1, 2020 – Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting – A Public Hearing set for this date. Due to COVID-19, the City Council extended the public hearing to July 20, 2020. All comments collected to this point were included in the public hearing record.
• July 20, 2020 – Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting – A Public Hearing set for this date. Due to COVID-19, the City Council extended the public hearing to September 8, 2020. All comments collected to this point were included in the public hearing record.
• September 8, 2020 – Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting – A Public Hearing regarding proposed firework amendments was held on this date. All comments collected from June 1 to September 8 were included in the public hearing record.

In total, the City received 149 public comments related to fireworks in Lakewood.

Update on additional CARES Act funds

On August 31, Governor Jay Inslee announced that an additional $190 million will be awarded from the state’s federal stimulus funding to local governments that did not receive direct distributions under the CARES Act. To read more click here.

The new funding includes nearly $126 million that will be distributed to cities and counties. The governor’s budget office approved the distributions, in consultation with legislative leaders.

With this, the City is set to receive an additional $895,050 from the state’s CARES Act funding; the City initially received $1,790,100.

On June 15th the Lakewood City Council authorized the execution of an agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce to receive CARES Act funding and established funding principals to guide the allocation of this funding.

Funding principals adopted by the City Council were:

• Individual and Family Economic Resilience
• Business Assistance
• Vital Government Services

The City Council reviewed potential uses of these additional funds at the Lakewood City Council Regular Meeting on September 8th and the Study Session on September 14th.

The City Council directed that $250,000 of these funds be used for commercial landlord assistance. As a result, the City created the Commercial Landlord Coronavirus Relief Fund. This is a new Lakewood COVID-19 grant program providing rental relief to Lakewood commercial landlords that have lost revenue due to measure taken during the pandemic to minimize the public’s exposure to COVID-19. The program provides up to $5,000 per month per location and up to six and a half (6.5) months of assistance for a maximum of $37,500 for each tenant that a landlord has within one property.

Any commercial landlord that owns or manages commercial property in the City, and has a standing lease with at least one tenant is eligible to apply. Application deadline is Friday, October 2nd, 5:00 p.m. Application details and forms are available at https://cityoflakewood.us/economic_development/

Applications will be accepted on a first in, first out basis. Those who submit a completed application and deemed complete will be processed first. The money granted may be used to cover un-paid rent by lessees and/or to pay mortgages.

In addition to the Commercial Landlord Coronavirus Relief Fund, additional CARES Act funds will also be allocated to the following purposes:

• $115,000 to the Small Business Relief Fund Grant;
• $50,000 to the Child Care Providers Grant;
• $300,000 for facility safety improvements, personal protection equipment, COVID-19 related payroll reimbursement, and other COVID-19 related expenses; and
• $180,000 for future program fund needs identified between now and November.

Visit the City’s CARES Act Funding Dashboard for up-to-date information on CARES Act allocations and expenditures.

Due to high winds the Lakewood Farmers Market is cancelled today

Unfortunately, due to high winds (gusts as high as 34 m.p.h.) this afternoon, the Lakewood Farmers Market is cancelled today (9/25). The next Lakewood Farmers Market will be on Friday (10/2) at Fort Steilacoom Park from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Remaining Lakewood Farmers Market dates include:

• Friday, October 2, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 9, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 16, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This year the Lakewood Farmers Market has been held, and will continue to be held, at Fort Steilacoom Park in the parking lot adjacent to the baseball fields. The new location allows the market to achieve social distancing and meet public health directives to keep the community safe during the current COVID-19 health crisis. The market is only available to walk-thru traffic. There is plenty of free parking at Fort Steilacoom Park for market goers.

Visit our Lakewood Farmers Market page to see more about our market and its vendors.

City and community partners say Thank you to Gimhae, Korea

At the City Council Regula Meeting on September 21, the Lakewood City Council recognized the City of Gimhae, South Korea for their donation of masks and personal protection equipment, as well as for their continued friendship and support. The recognition included a proclamation and the viewing of a thank you video featuring the Lakewood City Council, the Lakewood Sister Cities Association, Mayor Don Anderson and the Emergency Food Network, West Pierce Fire and Rescue, and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.

In August, the City received a donation of 10,000 KF94 masks and 1,000 sets of personal protection equipment (PPE), from the city of Gimhae, Korea. Gimhae and Lakewood have shared Friendship Cities status since 2006. The masks and PPE were donated by Gimhae as an act of support, collaboration and friendship between the two cities.

In response to this donation from the city of Gimhae, Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson expressed his heartfelt gratitude. “We are so incredibly grateful for Gimhae’s generosity and support as we continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic here in Lakewood. This donation will make a significant difference in our ability to effectively suppress the spread of the virus, particularly for some of Lakewood’s most vulnerable residents. We look forward to many more future collaborations with Mayor Seong Gon Heo and the city of Gimhae.”

The donation was accompanied by a letter from Mayor Seong Gon Heo with the following message: “Gimhae City wishes to share the grieves and pains of health care professionals, officials, and people of Lakewood, who have been suffering on the front line… It is my hope that this small donation from Gimhae may help Lakewood get over with the COVID-19. I pray for Mr. Mayor and the people of Lakewood to stay healthy and well, and desire that the two cities will work together to continue mutual developments with the spirit of solidarity, engagement, and cooperation when the COVID-19 crisis ends.”

For help with its Sister and Friendship Cities, the city of Lakewood partners with the Lakewood Sister Cities Association (LSCA), an independent non-profit organization that was established to help promote meaningful cultural, educational, tourism, and trade exchanges between Lakewood and its Sister Cities and Friendship Cities. LSCA representatives provided the following response to Gimhae’s donation, “It gives us great pleasure to see the Lakewood Sister Cities Association bear yet another fruit in its efforts to promote friendship and mutual assistance with this announcement of a generous gift from Gimhae City… It is our hope that we all remain healthy and cement our relationship as sister cities in the near future.”

“Reverse” Parade of Lights

The City is excited to announce we are having a “Reverse” Parade of Lights on December 12, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Colonial Plaza.

What is a reverse parade? We’re glad you asked!

Typically, the City’s Parade of Lights features a variety of floats, local marching bands, and classic cars that travel on a parade route through Downtown Lakewood with spectators lining up on the streets to view the procession.

Due to COVID-19, to ensure social distancing, we are turning the Parade upside down or more aptly in “reverse.” The “Reverse”Parade of Lights will feature a stationary display of floats and vehicles linedup in Colonial Plaza. Spectators will drive-thru Colonial Plaza to view the floats and vehicles. The City will provide music.

Additionally, Santa has indicated that he will be there!

Want to be a part of the “Reverse” Parade?

Help LIGHT up Lakewood! Businesses, clubs, organizations, and individuals are all invited to light up the holiday with a stationary float or vehicle. The entries must comply with the COVID-19 phase for Pierce County that is in effect at this time. Show your community spirit! Blue lights are recommended, however lights are optional.

• Each entry is encouraged to ‘go all out’ in decorating their vehicle/float and wearing festive clothing, making it fun and exciting for participants and spectators alike. Prizes will be awarded (see contest details below).

• The Lakewood “reverse” parade is a stationary display of floats and vehicles. In this reverse scenario, it is the viewers who will drive by while the floats and displays remain stationary in one place.

• Businesses, clubs, and organizations can have signage on their vehicle, but lighting and decorations should reflect the Holiday Season.

“Reverse” Parade of Lights Application is available here.

To enter fill out an application and mail or email to Sally Martinez (smartinez@cityoflakewood.us ) by Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Please mail applications to:

Lakewood City Hall

Attn: Sally Martinez – Parade of lights

6000 Main Street SW

Lakewood, WA 98499.

Applications received after November 16 will be considered if space is available.

A complete list of event rules are included in the application.

Truck and Tractor Day 2020 cancelled

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the City’s traditional Truck and Tractor Event that was scheduled for October 10, 2020 is cancelled.

The City is having another Drive-in movie experience showing Coco on October 16, 2020. At this event, there will be fire trucks and police vehicles for kids and adults to view. Each car will get a pumpkin and goodie bag.

To learn more about Coco click here.

Drive-In Movie: Coco on October 16th!

The City is excited to announce another Drive-in Movie experience – on October 16th we’ll be showing the award winning Disney and Pixar movie Coco at Fort Steilacoom Park! The movie will start at 7:00 p.m. To purchase tickets click here.

“In Disney/Pixar’s vibrant tale of family, fun and adventure, aspiring young musician named Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) embarks on an extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors. There, the charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael Garcia Bernal) becomes an unexpected friend who helps Miguel uncover the mysteries behind his family’s stories and traditions.”

Coco won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (2017).

In addition to a great movie, we are also excited to announce that every car attending the movie will get a pumpkin, decorating kit and a bag of popcorn thanks to our event sponsors! Coco is presented by WSECU and sponsored by Xfinity.

While, unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the City’s traditional Truck and Tractor Event is cancelled – we will have fire trucks and police vehicles at this event for kids and adults to view.

Come early to the movie to enjoy the Lakewood Farmers Market which is at the same location from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• For full Drive-In Movies rules click here.
• Movie entrance opens at 6:30 p.m.
• All attendees must register in advance – cost is only $10 per car! Space is limited.
• No RVs, buses or limousines.
• The movie will play rain or shine – no refunds will be given.
• Event is subject to change based on health regulations.

Location:Fort Steilacoom Park8714 87th Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498

Pierce Transit Survey

Pierce Transit is conducting a survey to receive input from the community and businesses on their March 2021 service change.

To learn more about the service Pierce Transit will provide starting Sept. 20 and weigh in with a survey on what you would like to see starting in March 2021, visit this link. There are some parts of Pierce County currently not being served by transit. This is your opportunity to weigh in on routes which could help you and your employees get to work and around the South Sound.

2nd Annual Poetry in the Park

From now until October 15, 2020 Fort Steilacoom Park users can enjoy poetry placed around Waughop Lake. The poems are all located along the nearly 1-mile path circumnavigating Waughop Lake in the heart of Lakewood’s 350-acre Fort Steilacoom Park.

The signs were placed by Tahoma Audubon Society volunteers who are growing a fledgling “Poetry in the Park” initiative.

Six years ago Dona Townsend and her husband were hiking in the Olympic National Park when they came around a corner and found a sign with poetry on it. They learned of two other locations with poetry along the trail and made a point to hike them too.

They loved the idea and thought it would be a great thing to bring to the South Sound.

Last year marked the first year the group organized a Poetry in the Park event in Lakewood at Fort Steilacoom Park. Other Poetry in the Park events previously occurred in the cities of Tacoma and University Place.

Rescheduled Lakewood Spring Clean-up is still on for this Saturday, September 26th, 2020

Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City postponed the 2020 Lakewood Spring Clean-up Event that was planned for May of 2020.

The City and Waste Connections, the City’s solid waste contractor, are happy to announce that this event has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3869 94th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.

Event rules:

• All non-bulky items must be bagged.
• All items will be unloaded by event participants.
• All event participants must show photo I.D. or utility bill with a Lakewood address.
• All event participants must wear a mask and maintain 6 feet of social distancing while at site.
• No mattresses will be accepted at this event.
• No U-Hauls or Box Vans will be accepted at this event.
• Last car will be accepted at 1:45 p.m.
• Accepted items:
  • Tires
  • Appliances (no refrigerators)
  • Bicycles
  • Tires
  • Recyclables
  • Furniture
  • Grills
  • Couches
• Not Accepted Items:
  • Loose items
  • Paint
  • Electronics
  • Yard Waste
  • Hazardous materials
  • Automotive parts
  • Propane tanks
  • Concrete
  • Construction materials
  • Donations
  • Mattresses

Looking to the future, the Lakewood Fall Clean-up Event will be held November 14-15, 2020. More information on this event will be coming soon. If you have questions about this event, please contact Senior Policy Analyst Shannon Kelley Fong at skelleyfong@cityoflakewood.us or (253) 983-7717.

Last day to submit a Larry Saunders Service Award nominations

The Lakewood Community Foundation Fund (LCFF) is currently accepting nominations for the 2020 Larry Saunders Service Award. This award is given annually to a person or organization who merits special recognition and community appreciation. This 2020 announcement occasions the award’s fourth year. Nomination forms are available online only by visiting lakewoodfoundation.org.

Nominations will be accepted through September 25, 2020.

Send your completed nomination forms by mail to LCFF, PO Box 39578, Lakewood, WA 98496 or by email to foxxlair@aol.com.

The foundation and city partnered in 2017 to create the award to recognize people/organization that provide exemplary service to Lakewood and who merit special recognition and community appreciation. Prior award winners include:

2017 – Diane Formoso, founder of Caring for Kids

2018 – Lakewood Rotary Club

2019 – J. Alan Billingsley, lifelong volunteer work

Former Lakewood Police Chief Larry Saunders served our country and our city with distinction, retiring from the Army to organize our police department in 2004 and serve as our first chief. Returning from Iraq, where he re-joined the Army to establish a police college in Baghdad, Larry embraced Lakewood with tireless community service: our Boys & Girls Club, Rotary clubs, neighborhood associations, and the LCFF. Larry was a ray of light. We were stunned when he died one morning in January, 2016. This award allows us to honor his legacy by supporting those who commit themselves selflessly, just like Saunders.

Rental assistance available through LASA

Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) is now accepting applications for the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance program.

LASA, a community-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing temporary and recurrent homelessness, was awarded $407,640 from the Lakewood City Council as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds it received from the state of Washington. It is anticipated these funds will help assist 175 Lakewood households.

Applicants for this program need to meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for receiving one-time rental assistance for up to $1500 paid directly to the landlord:

• Household must live in Lakewood as a renter, with their name on the lease or rental agreement;
• Household’s income has been impacted by COVID-19 on March 12th or later; and
• Household’s total combined income is currently $60,000 per year ($1,200/week or $5,000/month) or less.

If you need technical assistance, translation assistance or special accommodations, call LASA’s Homeless Prevention line at (253) 582-5320 Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here to apply to the Lakewood COVID-19 Rent Assistance Program.

Lakewood COVID-19 business assistance loans program converted to grants

In May the City Council approved a no-interest deferred loan program to provide emergency economic assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The money for this program came from a $350,611 grant the city received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

On August 3, the City Council amended this program to convert the existing deferred loan applications into grants. The City Council also amended this programs to allow Lakewood Small Business Coronavirus Relief Fund (LSBCRF) applicants, which is a separate funding source, who were not successful in the LSBCRF lottery, to make application for a grant under the CDBG CARES Act Program with an effective date of July 27, 2020.

If your business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible to apply for assistance if you meet the criteria. This program will remain open until all funds are exhausted.

View eligibility requirements and download the application from the Lakewood COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program website.

Additional COVID-19 related resources:

COVID-19 Mobile Testing events in Lakewood

For more information on Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Mobile Testing events click here.

Phase 2 reopening guidelines

The Tacoma Pierce County Chamber and the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County have shared resources for business to assist in re-opening and recovery. View more.

Pierce County Council expands support to help more local businesses

In early August, the Pierce County Council passed two ordinances aimed at making more funding available to local businesses struggling from impacts of COVID-19.

The first ordinance doubled the total amount of funding available through a previously established COVID-19 Adaptation Grant Program, bringing the total authorized for assistance to $10 million.

The second ordinance established a Commercial Rent and Mortgage Payment Assistance Program that provides limited assistance to eligible businesses to help protect jobs threatened by COVID-19.

To learn more about this expansion visit here.

Pierce County Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program

Pierce County small businesses who have experienced significant economic injury as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for this loan program if they meet program criteria. View more.

Free Personal Protection Equipment for businesses

Pierce County is offering FREE Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to businesses physically located in Pierce County to help them comply with COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices in order to protect employees and customers. View more.

Washington Listens supports people affected by the stress of COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, Washington has launched Washington Listens, a support program and phone line to help people manage elevated levels of stress due to the pandemic. People who call the Washington Listens support line will speak with a support specialist and get connected to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous.

The Washington Listens support line is 1-833-681-0211. It is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method. Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org

City Council September 28, 2020 meeting preview

Items on the September 28, 2020 City Council Study Session agenda include:

• South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Update – Mr. Alan Billingsley, Clover Park Rotary
• Review 2021-2022 State Legislative Agenda and Policy Manual, Federal Legislative Priorities and Pierce County Policy Manual

Items tentatively scheduled on the October 5, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting agenda include:

• Proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness month – Mr. Nick Quijas, City of Lakewood, Associate City Attorney
• Youth Council Report
• Clover Park School District Report
• Appoint Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board members (tentative)
• Appoint Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members (tentative)
• Appoint Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board Youth Council representative
• Reports by the City Manager – Review 2021 Property Tax Levy
• Reports by the City Manager – Presentation of 2021-2022 Proposed Biennial Budget

Changes and temporary closures coming to north and southbound I-5 in Lakewood

The state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is rebuilding the interchanges at Thorne Lane and Berkeley Street, and adding lanes to I-5. Drivers are advised to plan extra travel time into their trips and give work crews a brake by paying attention while traveling through work zones. All work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled.

For the latest construction information, including other overnight closures, visit Tacomatraffic.com.

Local street closures:

• Starting Monday, March 16, Union Avenue between Spruce Street and Thorne Lane is closed around-the-clock until further notice.
• Work is weather sensitive and may be rescheduled.

Night lane and ramp closures:

Monday, Sept. 28

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close form 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
• Gravelly Lake Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Tuesday, Sept. 29

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close form 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
• Gravelly Lake Drive on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday, Sept. 30

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close form 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Thursday, Oct. 1

• Southbound I-5 exit to Thorne Lane will close from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday.

Travelers are encouraged to watch their speeds and give crews the room they need to work. A temporary speed limit reduction from 60 mph to 50 mph is in place on I-5 from mileposts 121.9 to 124.1.

Before heading out the door, travelers can find the latest information on the WSDOT app and by following the WSDOT regional Twitter feed.

Transportation updates

Onyx Drive

Work began in April on this 1.55-mile project that improves the road with curb and gutter on both sides, adds bicycle and pedestrian facilities, includes street lighting on one side of the road and associated storm drainage upgrades. To make room for these improvements, roughly 190 trees were removed. Cluster mailboxes will also be installed for approximately 35 residences whose mailboxes will be affected by the new roadway/sidewalks.

The contractor completed the installation of all of the curb and gutter and continues to complete the sidewalks and driveways. The contractor has removed the old road surface between 87th and 97th Avenue. This section will remain closed to thru traffic until the base lift of asphalt is placed.

The contractor was scheduled to pave the base lift of asphalt on both segments of the project this week. However due to inclement weather (heavy rain) this work was postponed to next week, weather dependent. Paving will be completed during the day due to the project’s location within a residential neighborhood. The final lift of asphalt remains scheduled for October 8 to October 11 (weather dependent). Between the initial and final lift of asphalt, the contractor will continue to finish sidewalks and begin installation of the street lights and property restoration behind the new sidewalks. It is anticipated that this project will be substantially complete late October.

As work continues, there will be lane closures with one-way flagging to facilitate this work; expect up to 10 minute delays.

Read more about the Onyx Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.

Veterans Drive

This project rebuilds 1.63 miles of Veterans Drive into a two lane section with curb, gutter, sidewalk, bike/pedestrian path, streetlights, and landscape strip if ROW allows. Roundabouts will also be added to three key intersections, and with new sidewalks will come cluster mailboxes for approximately 200 residences and businesses. As part of the construction Veterans Drive will be closed to through traffic in phases, which are expected to last between four and five weeks. The first phase (currently in place) closed the road between Gravelly Lake Drive and Lake City Boulevard. This project has an anticipated completion date of late fall. The City Council awarded a bid for this project April 20 and work began in May.

The contractor completed the road reconstruction from Gravelly Lake Drive to Highland Avenue and completed the roundabouts at Lake City Blvd and Vernon Avenue. Work continues in this section to complete the sidewalks and driveways. The street light foundations are complete in this section as well. There will be lane closures with one-way flagging to help facilitate this work.

The contractor has begun work in the American Lake Park parking lot. Park parking lot is currently limited to the boat launch area. The work in the park is scheduled to take place through early October. The restrooms at the park will be closed for this work.

Once the concrete work on the remainder of the constructed portion of Veteran’s is caught up, the contractor will begin to demolish the road section from ALP to the VA entrance. The work from the park to the VA entrance will take the rest of 2020 to complete. Read more about the Veterans Drive project and see overhead shots of the project on the project website.

Stormwater Outfall Retrofit Project

The city’s contractor completed all nine (9) stormwater outfall retrofit project sites around Carp Lake this week. There are several areas that need to be paved around the sites. Paving of these areas and final clean-up is anticipated to occur September 30 to October 5.

Pavement patching

The City of Lakewood’s contractor, Asphalt Patch, completed the 2020 patching program and will paint striping shortly. O&M crews will continue to patch streets as needed throughout the year.

Chip Seal in-progress

The city’s 2020 Chip Seal program focused on areas around Clover Park High School. At this time, the city’s contractor, Doolittle, has laid down all of the road chips and completed applying the fog seal. The contractor will complete the striping of these streets by next week.

Online city services

While city facilities continue to remain closed, the majority of the city’s operations have continued with minimal impacts to the public as city staff continue to serve customers via email, phone, and virtual meetings. The following city services are available online:

Development Services & Permits

Business Licensing

Park & Shelter Reservations

Municipal Court Fines

Animal Licensing

Public Records Requests

Report information

Police reports and other items

Census 2020: Be counted

The Census Bureau is continuing to reach out to those who have not filled out the Census yet in an effort to make sure everyone is counted. In light of COVID-19, the bureau recently announced the deadline to complete the census was extended to Oct. 31, 2020.

As of September 17, 66.3 percent of US households self-responded to the 2020 Census. Washington’s self-response rate is 71.9 percent. Pierce County’s self-response rate is 72.5 percent. The city of Lakewood’s 2020 Census self-response rate is 67.3 percent overall.

The Woodbrook-Tillicum area has a self- response rate of 54.3% and Springbrook has a self-response rate of 46.7%. In the 2010 Census, these areas had self-response rates of 28.4% and 34.3% respectively.

There are three ways that people can respond to the census:

• Respond online at www.2020census.gov.
• Call a toll-free number (4 a.m. to 11 p.m. PT)
  • English, 844.330.2020
  • Spanish, 844.468.2020
  • Other languages available, please contact me for information
• Return by Mail

Join a community advisory board

Do you like to give back to the community? Are you looking to get better connected to Lakewood? Have some free time you want to fill? Consider joining one of the city’s community advisory boards. Board members often have experience or expertise they can lend, can meet on a monthly basis and can commit to serving a full term, or longer.

Boards with openings:

• Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board: up to 5 vacancies. Open until filled.

Board and commission descriptions, meeting schedule and application form can be found online.

Stay up to date with MyLakewood311

Did you know Lakewood has its own free mobile app? All you need to know about the city is at your fingertips. Updates on road projects and detours around the city and other city announcements can be found under the “Public Announcements” header.

Contact the city using the “submit a new request” button and select from the appropriate category. The app allows you to track city staff’s response to your request and follow it through the process.

Please only submit one request per item – submitting multiple requests for the same item slows the review process. Note: This app is not monitored 24/7. If you are reporting an emergency that needs immediate assistance please call 911.

Download it now in the iTunes App Store or on Google Play.

Stay connected with e-mail notifications

Get the latest news and updates from the city of Lakewood delivered directly to your inbox. To subscribe click here.

You can subscribe to the following city newsfeeds:

• City Manager’s Weekly Bulletins (Weekly)
• City Council Agendas and Meeting Schedules (Weekly)
• Lakewood Connections and Recreation Brochures (Quarterly)
• Public Notices
• Coffee with the Mayor (Monthly)
• Bids, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Qualifications (RFQs)

This press release was produced by the City of Lakewood. The views expressed here are the author’s own.