Lakewood City Manager’s Weekly Bulletin For March 12

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

March 11, 2021

2020 Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Report Released

Lakewood hears back from its businesses

On March 8, the Lakewood City Council received the City’s 2020 Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Report.

City of Lakewood Economic Development Department ramped up its efforts on outreach to local businesses and collaboration with Puget Sound and State partners in 2021 due to the coronavirus epidemic and disruption in the market. It was a difficult year for all businesses, whether they were ramping up to meet unprecedented demand or struggling to keep their doors open, and to serve clients.

“The impacts have been varied,” stated Economic Development Manager Becky Newton. “While retail sales tax revenue has flattened, there is still demand in the market for local goods and services. On the other hand, shuttered events centers, hotels, restaurants, training facilities, health care, and other services are still experiencing massive changes and are trying to adjust. Mental health and workforce are critical issues, and state imposed regulations and restrictions have been challenging.”

The report anticipates that more businesses will close due to the restrictions and that economic recovery will be mixed. Some industries are expanding rapidly and/or anticipating an immediate recovery, while others see more than a five-year recovery period ahead. True recovery for the local economy will not occur until Lakewood and Pierce County fully reopen as part of the Safe Start Washington plan.

Lakewood’s retail sales in 2019 increased by 10% in 2019, but flattened to 2% in 2020. Unemployment was at 17.7% in April 2020, but had dropped to 8.3% in December 2020. While economic recovery could take five years for some industries, development permitting is up substantially for Lakewood, and is expected to continue to trend up.

The City engaged in extensive BRE outreach in 2020, notwithstanding COVID, and connected with 127 businesses representing over 9,900 jobs in Lakewood.

“The City also conducted two surveys of businesses to track ongoing needs as well as to identify specific effects of COVID-19 on business viability,” stated Ms. Newton. “53% of businesses listed COVID restrictions as their biggest challenge; the second highest category was workforce management at 19%”

The full Lakewood 2020 BR&E is available at https://cityoflakewood.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-03-08-Council-Agenda.pdf. For more information, please contact Becky Newton, Lakewood Economic Development Manager, at 253.983.7738 or bnewton@cityoflakewood.us

Congresswoman Strickland Highlights How the American Rescue Plan Could Mean Millions in Relief Aid for the South Sound

On Monday, March 8th, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) provided an update on how the American Rescue Plan will deliver millions in relief aid to WA-10. The package will help crush the COVID-19 virus and get the economy moving again with shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools and people in jobs. Strickland was joined by: Tacoma-Pierce County Director of Heath Dr. Anthony Chen, Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby, Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson, and Health Center Administrator Jesus Valdez of Sea Mar Community Health Centers. (Watch the press conference at this link.)

The American Rescue Plan will bring millions in relief to the South Sound and get money in pockets, shots in arms, children in schools and people in jobs in the great state of Washington, including:

• Delivering an estimated $7 billion in aid for our state, including:
  • $63 million for the City of Tacoma
  • $10 million for the City of Olympia
  • $15 million for the City of Lakewood
  • $176 million for Pierce county
  • $56 million for Thurston county
  • $13 million for Mason county

• Keeping first responders, frontline public health workers, teachers, transit workers and other essential workers safely on the job. State and local governments have been forced to lay off 1.4 million public servants due to the pandemic.
• This crucial relief will help communities across the South Sound fill budget gaps and continue providing services to constituents in need. A December survey found that 90% of municipal governments experienced a decline in revenue and 75% saw an increase in expenditures.

Homeownership Center Northwest celebrates groundbreaking of new Lakewood Housing Development

Twenty seven-year-old nonprofit organization Homeownership Center Northwest (HCNW) commemorated its partnership with the City of Lakewood with the groundbreaking ceremony of two new homes on Thursday, March 11. The ceremony marked the first of many projected developments that will provide affordable housing opportunities throughout Lakewood.

The two single-story homes, located at 9006 and 9010 Washington Boulevard Southwest, demonstrate that affordable homes can be unique, efficient, and on-trend. The homes also meet the high Environment Development Standards required by the city of Lakewood. They include several sustainability features, including WaterSense certified toilets and bathroom sinks that reduce water consumption, ultimately reducing monthly expenses. They also feature energy efficient lighting, Energy Star appliances and HVAC systems. “Safe, fully functional, affordable housing is a key factor in a community’s vitality, diversity, equity and continued economic stabilization and growth. HCNW will continue to partner with Lakewood in its efforts to achieve affordable and attainable homeownership options for LMI individuals and families,” says Puszczewicz.

2020 City of Lakewood Annual Housing Report Released

Lakewood’s average rents are the second lowest in all of Pierce County

On March 8, the Lakewood City Council received the City’s 2020 Annual Housing Report. While there is not a requirement to prepare this report, it provides aggregated information about economic conditions, vacancy rates, and housing rent and sale prices and outlines what to expect in 2021.

In summary:

• COVID-19, including a stay-at-home orders and ongoing social distancing mandates, caused economic activity in the Tacoma-Lakewood metropolitan area to slow dramatically in 2020.
• Lakewood’s average rental rate was $1,285 in 2020, making Lakewood the most affordable community in all of Pierce County other than Spanaway. Lakewood’s average rent is 16% below the overall average rent in all of Pierce County, which is $1,500. Seattle’s rent was $1,933, Puyallup’s was $1,584 and Tacoma’s was $1,407.
• A prolonged regional shortage of inventory contributed to increased net-migration and demand from King County residents looking for more affordable housing that resulted in strong home sales and is partly attributable to the disparity in housing costs in Pierce County.
• Apartment market conditions in the Tacoma-Lakewood metropolitan area are currently tight, with a 2.9-percent vacancy rate during the third quarter of 2020. Vacancy rates remained under 4.0 percent and rent growth averaged almost 6 percent, annually, through 2019.
• Because of rising land values, single-family residential rental property owners are selling their properties. Thus, fewer single family rentals are available and there is an increase in Lakewood’s homeownership rate.
• New home construction in the Tacoma-Lakewood metropolitan area has been relatively flat since the housing market recovered in 2013, averaging 2,525 new homes a year. Lakewood’s permitting activity and lot creation continued in 2020 at average levels.
• Lakewood has received reports that financial institutions are currently less likely to provide apartment development financing, at least in the interim. This condition is expected to change as the pandemic lessens.
• There is a rising delinquency rates in mortgages due to the economic recession stemming from COVID-19 restrictions.
• The report also includes an outline of some of the programs the City of Lakewood has in place to maintain and promote affordable housing to include a major home repair program, partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build new low income housing, rental housing safety program, rental assistance, inclusionary zoning, incentive zoning, streamlined development code, and promoting regional solutions.

The full Lakewood 2020 Housing Report is available at https://cityoflakewood.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-03-08-Council-Agenda.pdf. For more information, please contact Tiffany Speir, Lakewood Long Range & Strategic Planning Manager, at 253.983.7702 or tspeir@cityoflakewood.us

Lakewood considers new Subarea Plan to highlight Lakewood Station, major economic development project Lakewood Landing

New homes and jobs to center around major transit and transportation corridors

On March 8, 2021, the Lakewood City Council began its review of the proposed Lakewood Station District Subarea (LSDS) Plan. The Plan is accompanied by a development code and streamlined environmental review process.

Located in the southeast section of the City, the subarea includes Sounder Station, St. Clare Hospital, the SR-512 park-and-ride, Pacific Highway and Bridgeport Way commercial areas, and Lakewood Landing, a 30-acre, multi-phased major mixed-use project currently being advertised nationwide to developers by Lee and Associates Commercial Real Estate Services. (View more about Lakewood Landing at https://cityoflakewood.us/lakewood-landing/)

The subarea plan implements development standards to foster a high quality, pedestrian-oriented urban environment including incentives to encourage a dense mix of commercial and medical office, regional and local retail, services and hospitality, and high-density residential uses offering affordable ownership and rental housing opportunities, all supported by direct regional transportation access.

The City Council will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed LSDS Plan on Monday, April 5 at 7:00 pm. The meeting can be viewed live or after the fact on the City of Lakewood, WA’s YouTube Channel.

View the draft LSDS Plan, and development code and find out more at www.lakewoodstation.org.

Rental Assistance Available

Lakewood City Council approves Emergency Payments for Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, the Lakewood City Council authorized the use of U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grant funds to provide Coronavirus Relief Aid. The City will allocate $703,426.59 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding ($246,700.59 in CDBG-CV1 and $456,726 in CDBG-CV3) for the purpose of creating Emergency Payments for Rental and Mortgage Assistance for low- and moderate-income Lakewood residents who have fallen behind on rent or mortgage payments.

The following program eligibility requirements will apply:

• The program will provide rental/mortgage assistance grants to low- and moderate-income households who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic causing them to fall behind on rent or mortgage payments;
• Only one grant per household to be provided for family listed as legal tenant or homeowner;
• Funds not to exceed $4,000 per eligible household for rent or mortgage due in arrears;
• Payments must be made directly to the provider on behalf of the family (e.g. landlord or mortgage lender);

It is anticipated that Lakewood residents can begin filing applications starting on March 16, 2021 through March 30, 2021 (the application filing period may be extended until all funds are expended). The initial review time is within 7 days of receipt of application. Application details and forms will be available at: https://cityoflakewood.us/community_economic_development/community-housing-programs/.

Applications will be accepted on a first come, first eligible, first completed basis, subject to available funding. Again, the program will remain open until all funds are exhausted.

For questions about this program contact Shannon Bennett, Program Coordinator at sbennett@cityoflakewood.us.

Dates announced for Lakewood Spring Community Clean-Up Event

Thorne Lane on-ramp to I-5 closes for 3 months

Work leads to permanent ramp changes for travelers, removes potential railroad intersection delays. Travelers should prepare for a new stage of work on the I-5 Steilacoom-DuPont Road to Thorne Lane Corridor Improvements project. Once finished this construction will permanently change the way travelers exit to Berkeley Street and Thorne Lane.

Weather permitting, during the overnight hours of Friday, March 12, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close the Thorne Lane on-ramp to southbound Interstate 5 for approximately three months.

This closure allows contractor Atkinson Construction to accelerate completion of work at Thorne Lane. The three-month ramp closure would create work zones that:

• Finish the roundabout connection from Union Avenue and to the new Thorne Lane high bridge,
• Complete the collector-distributor lane barrier that will guide travelers from a shared exit on southbound I-5 to Thorne Lane and Berkeley Street,
• Build a new Thorne Lane on-ramp to southbound I-5 from the new overpass.

Ramp closure detour:

• Travelers coming from Murray Road, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Logistics Gate or the Woodbrook neighborhood will detour via northbound I-5 to Gravelly Lake Drive, then onto southbound I-5.
• Tillicum travelers will use the Berkeley Street interchange to reach southbound I-5. They can also use the new Thorne Lane overpass and follow the same detour as travelers coming from Murray Road.

The end resultsWhen work is finished, travelers on southbound I-5 will begin using the new shared exit to Thorne Lane and Berkeley Street. Drivers will also regain access to southbound I-5 from Thorne Lane from the east side of the highway instead of the west side of the highway. This change in the intersection design removes potential delays associated with the railroad.

This is a permanent change that travelers going to Madigan Army Medical Center, Camp Murray, Lakewood’s Tillicum and Woodbrook neighborhoods and JBLM’s Logistic Gate will need to make note of.

An updated construction schedule that lists overnight ramp closures for this project is available on Tacomatraffic.com. Before heading out the door, travelers can find the latest road conditions on the WSDOT app and by following the WSDOT regional Twitter feed.

Transportation Projects Update

JBLM-North Access Improvement Project – Phase I

In August of 2020 the City was notified this project was not successful in pursuit of the federal grant from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA). Based on that, the project was broken into two phases for construction: Phase 1 – 200’ west of Interlaaken on Washington Boulevard east and then south to Nyanza; Phase II – 200’ west of Interlaaken on Washington Boulevard then west to Edgewood/North Gate Road to the JBLM North Gate property line.

In total, the project will rebuild a roughly 3.5-mile section of the Northgate Rd/Edgewood Ave/Washington Blvd corridor from the western city limit to Gravelly Lake Drive; Gravelly Lake Drive will be rebuilt from Washington Blvd to just north of Pacific Highway; Vernon Ave will be reconstructed from Veterans to Washington Blvd. Improvements include curb, sidewalk, planted medians, bike lanes and 10 roundabouts.

The City began advertising for the Phase 1 of the project, Gravelly Lake Drive from south of Nyanza up to and through the WA Blvd intersection then west to include the Interlaaken intersection on February 9, 2021 and the bid opening was held on March 2, 2021. The City received 14 bids. R.L. Alia Company is the apparent low bidder. The City Council will review a motion for award of the contract at the City Council regular meeting of Monday, March 15, 2021.

Please note that given the size and scope of this project, the timeline to construct is estimated to take up to 18 months. If construction were to begin in May 2021, completion is estimated to be October 2022.

Project updates to include the option to sign up for project updates can be found online:

Ongoing: JBLM-North Access road improvements

Steilacoom BLVD (Weller to Custer)

Phase one of this project is complete. Phase two, the installation of sidewalks along this area, is anticipated to being in spring/summer 2021 and will be constructed in two phases due to funding sources, all within the construction season in 2021.

Onyx Drive

Work began in April 2020 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. The city’s contractor completed the bulk of the work on this project and is now working on completing a few minor punch list items! In late December, mailboxes along Onyx Drive were installed. The postal service has been installing locks in the group mailboxes and residents are eager to make use of them. We are waiting on the final parcel locks to be installed before they keys are distributed to residents.

Veteran’s 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 have been added to three key intersections, and the new cluster mailboxes are almost fully installed. The contractor is working on installation of irrigation, street lights, and sidewalk construction between the American Lake Park and the VA Hospital entrance. By the end of February 2020, all items should be completed except for the final lift of asphalt from the Lake City business district to the VA Hospital entrance. The contractor will place the project on hold until early spring and come back and finish the roadway and any final punchlist items.

The contractor also continues to work on the American Lake Park parking lot. When completed, in addition to improving traffic flow through the parking lot, this project will add 6 ADA parking stalls to the lot and create an ADA walkway from the road to the park restroom. Parking at the park is currently limited to the boat launch area.

Lakewood Drive Sidewalk Project

The Public Works Engineering Department has issued a contract for construction of sidewalks on Lakewood Drive between Steilacoom Boulevard and Flett Creek. The contractor initiated work late February 2021 and will be done in two months. Speeds have been restricted to 25 mph throughout the work zone.

100th Street SW and Lakewood Drive Traffic Signal

The Public Works Engineering Department has issued a contract to rebuild the traffic signal at the intersection of 100th Street SW and Lakewood Drive an install sidewalks on the north side of 100th from the Chick-Fil-A sidewalk to the Lakewood Drive intersection. Additional fill in sidewalk will be constructed on the south side east and west of the intersection. The contractor will commence work in mid-March.

112th/111th Street Project

The Public Works Engineering Department has issued a contract to reconstruct 112th/111th streets between Bridgeport Way and Kendrick Street. New roadway surface, curb, gutter, sidewalks, and illumination will be constructed. The contractor will start work on March 10th and the roadway will be closed to all traffic except local access only until mid-May.

108th Street Overlay

The Public Works Engineering Department will be constructing an overlay project for 108th between Lakeview Drive and Pacific Hwy. This work will be a grind and overlay to refresh the driving surface. PWE is currently working with Lakewood Water District on two major crossings to be constructed prior to the road project and expect to see that work conducted on a weekend with a full road shutdown in the next few weeks. A contractor has been hired with an expected start date in late March.

Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery Plan

The Puget Sound Region, which includes Pierce County, remains in Phase 2. The table below highlights the various activities allowed in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington Plan.

To remain in Phase 2, regions must meet at least 3 metrics:

• Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100K population
• Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate new COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100K population
• ICU occupancy (total — COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) of less than 90%
• COVID-19 test positivity rate of <10%.

COVID-19 vaccine distribution remains in progress

K-12 educators and licensed child care workers added to Washington’s current vaccination phase

Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington State Department of Health have added K-12 educators and licensed childcare workers to Washington’s current vaccination phase, which is Phase 1b tier 1, effective as of March 2, 2021.

Those eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in Washington are:

• Workers in health care at high risk for COVID-19
• First responders at high risk for COVID-19
• People who live or work in long-term care settings
• People age 65 and older
• People who live in multigenerational housing
• K-12 educators/staff
• Child care workers

Wondering if you are currently eligible to receive the vaccine? Try FindYourPhaseWA.org

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) here.

As we have since the beginning of this pandemic, the City continues to follow guidance from our trusted medical experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the TPCHD.

Check out the DOH’s 60-second video on how the COVID vaccines work:

Below are some links to reliable sources that provide information on the vaccine. The CDC site, in particular, has a range of information, to include detailed scientific data on the safety and efficacy of the current vaccine.

CDC Website

Washington State DOH vaccine information

Washington State DOH vaccination – Phase 1a

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department vaccine information

COVID-19 related resources:

Eviction moratorium extended to March 31, 2021

On December 23, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced he will extend the eviction moratorium to March 31, 2021. More information on this extension will be coming shortly from the Governor’s Office.

Pierce County COVID-19 Relief Programs & Resources

For the latest information on Pierce County COVID-19 relief programs and resources, see here.

Care Connect Washington

Care Connect Washington is a program for people who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed and need support to isolate or quarantine at home. To learn more about Care Connection Washington, click here.

Washington State Department of Commerce – Business & Worker Update

The Business and Workers update is a weekly newsletter providing news and information to help businesses and workers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The information is compiled by the state Economic Resiliency Team. To read or subscribe to the newsletter, click here.

WA Notify

The WA Notify app is a simple, anonymous exposure notification tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19. By adding WA Notify to their smartphones, Washington residents will be alerted if they spent time near another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19. Learn more about the app here.

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 March 15, 2021 meeting preview

• 28th and 29th District Legislators Mid-Legislative Session Update
• Sound Transit Update – Ms. Katie Drewel, Government and Community Relations Office
• Authorizing the execution of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Lakewood Police Independent Guild
• Reappointing Sylvia Allen and Michael Lacadie to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board through September 19, 2023 and appointing Fred Ramey to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board through September 19, 2022
• Appointing Christine Manetti to serve on the Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board through December 31, 2023
• Appointing Sylviann Johnson to serve on the Arts Commission through October 16, 2023
• Resolution of the City Council and Board of Directors of the Clover Park School District expressing a commitment to valuing diversity, equity and inclusion
• Authorizing the award of a construction contract for the JBLM North Access Improvement Project, Phase 1
• Review and authorize 2021-2022 CDBG grant funded transportation project
• Reports by the City Manager – Review and update on Congressional Community Project Funding

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityoflakewoodwa Those who do not have access to YouTube can participate via Zoom by either visiting zoom.us or calling by telephone: Dial +1(253) 215- 8782 and enter participant ID: 868 7263 2373.

To learn more about how to provide public comment and/or public testimony at City Council Regular Meetings, click here.

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 6 vacancies. Open until filled.
• Planning Commission: One vacancy to fill an unexpired term through December 15, 2021.

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

Job Announcements

The City of Lakewood is currently hiring for several positions. For a full list of current job opportunities, please visit here.

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.