Lakewood Manager's Weekly Bulletin For April 2

Press release from the City of Lakewood:

April 2, 2021

Farmers markets, drive-in movies, and evening concerts to be held through the summer

The City of Lakewood’s 2021 summer event schedule has been announced.

The Lakewood Farmers Market will operate at Fort Steilacoom Park from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every Friday between May 21 and Sept 24. Over 55 unique vendors from Lakewood and the surrounding area are expected to participate.

The Summer Nights Concert Series includes six shows scheduled in July and August. The series will represent a variety of musical genres, including 80’s music, blues, rock, swing, salsa, soul, R&B, and country.

Drive-in movie screenings are scheduled for six Friday evenings in June, July, and August at Fort Steilacoom Park. The event will follow the Farmer’s Market and food trucks will be onsite for the screenings.

Other events of note include Parks Appreciation Day (April 24), Truck and Tractor Day (Oct. 9), and the City of Lakewood 25th Anniversary Celebration (Sept. 18).

Absent from the summer event calendar is the 2021 SummerFEST. The City of Lakewood has canceled the event due to the uncertainty of the public health situation.

The full calendar of City of Lakewood events is available online. The calendar is also accessible in .ICS format to import into iCal, Outlook, Google Calendar, and other calendar apps.

Veterans Drive Improvement Project Completed

Safety, accessibility, and aesthetic updates will improve driver and pedestrian experience.

Work began in April 2020 on the improvement of Veterans Drive SW in the Lake City neighborhood. A year later, work crews are applying the finishing touches to a repaired and beautified roadway.

Roundabouts improve traffic efficiency. Streetlights improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. Wide sidewalks offer a pleasant experience for walkers and cyclists. Radar feedback signs passively limit drivers. Small rain gardens line the roadway. Prominent, ADA-compliant crosswalks allow safe crossing at intersections.

The improved roadway invites drivers and pedestrians to American Lake Park and public water access.

Lakewood Spring Community Cleanup Scheduled for April 17, 18

Many disposable and recyclable items to be accepted from spring cleaners.

The Lakewood Spring Community Cleanup will be held at the Lakewood Transfer Station at 3869 94th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 on Saturday, April 17 (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and Sunday, April 18 (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m).

Residents are invited to dispose of accepted trash, recyclables, furniture, and more. Please refer to the event rules before planning your trip.

RSVP to the Facebook Event here.

Opportunities for Public Comment

• WSDOT seeks input on Fort Lewis weigh station along I-5
  • The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is asking for public input regarding short-, medium-, and long-term improvements to the Fort Lewis weigh station along Northbound I-5. The “open house” period of public comment opens March 25, 2021 and closes April 8, 2021.
  • Review the project and submit feedback here.
• Sound Transit seeks input on access to Sounder Train, ST Express buses
  • Sound Transit wants your opinions on the improvement of pedestrian access to Lakewood public transit.
  • Review the project and submit feedback here.
• City of Lakewood to hold public hearing for 2020 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments.
  • The meeting will be held on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. Instructions on how to attend or testify will be published here no later than April 15.
• City of Lakewood to hold public hearing on the Lakewood Station Subarea Plan.
  • The public hearing will occur during the regular City Council session on April 5 at 7:00 p.m. Comments will be accepted by mail, email or by live virtual comment. Send comments to bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us at least one hour prior to the meeting.
• City of Lakewood to hold public hearing on Community Development Block Grants.
  • The public hearing will occur during the regular City Council session on April 19 at 7:00 p.m. Comments will be accepted by mail, email or by live virtual comment. Send comments to bschumacher@cityoflakewood.us at least one hour prior to the meeting.

Road Improvement Projects

• JBLM North Access Project:
  • This project will completely rebuild several key interchanges and stretches of roadway West of Gravelly Lake. The work will take approximately 18 months to complete and will be performed in several stages, each involving substantial road closures.
  • Review project status and sign up for email updates here.
• Thorne Lane On-Ramp Closure:
  • The on-ramp to Southbound I-5 at Thorne Lane will remain closed until June. Drivers will detour to southbound I-5 using the Gravelly Lake Drive or Berkeley Street interchanges.
  • Review project status here.
• Lakewood Drive: The City began installation of sidewalks in February 2021 and will finish work in April. Speeds have been restricted to 25 mph within the work zone.
• Onyx Drive: This project is complete. The contractor is conducting final cleanup activities and repairs to private infrastructure impacted by the project.
• Steilacoom Boulevard: Installation of sidewalks along this area is anticipated to begin in summer 2021 and will be constructed in two phases. Relocation of utility poles to make way for the sidewalks is expected to begin in summer 2021.
• Veterans Drive: This project is complete. The roadway has been freshly striped and crosswalks painted.
• 100th Street SW & Lakewood Drive: The City is rebuilding the traffic signal at the intersection of 100th Street SW and Lakewood Drive and installing a sidewalk along 100th. Work began in March.
• 111th & 112th Street: New roadway surface, curb, gutter, sidewalks, and illumination will be constructed. The roadway will be closed to all traffic except local access only until mid-May.
• 108th Street Overlay: The City will refresh the driving surface on 108th between Bridgeport Way SW and Pacific Highway. Work is expected to begin in April and is expected to continue until August.
• Pavement Patching: The City plans to use preservation funds to patch-repair roadways in several neighborhoods. Work will begin this summer.
• Chip Seal: The City will coat, seal, and texture chip roadway surfaces in the Lake City neighborhood. Work will begin this summer.
• Streetlights: Streetlights are to be installed in several neighborhoods in 2021. The project is in design. Work will begin in the fall.

Park Improvement Projects

• Harry Todd Park: Work is underway to improve accessibility, rebuild the bulkhead, renovate the beach, and add new amenities like a rinse-off area, lighting, and a fishing pier. Work is expected to finish this summer.
• American Lake Park: Work is underway to improve parking lot accessibility and add a new picnic shelter. Work is expected to finish this spring.
• Fort Steilacoom Park: Several projects are ongoing at Fort Steilacoom Park.
  • The completed Angle Lane Project has resolved access issues and added new landscaping and restrooms.
  • The completed Restroom Project has erected permanent public restrooms, drinking fountains, and a shaded swing.
  • A new pavilion is due to be completed in spring and turf infields are planned for the softball fields.
• Edgewater Park: Work is planned to build a new dock and improve public access to Lake Steilacoom.
• Chambers Creek Trail: Work is planned to build a 2.5-mile trail along Chambers Creek in partnership with University Place and Piece County. The project will likely begin this summer.
• Wards Lake Park: Work is planned to expand the park, remove encampments, and add amenities like a dog park and walking trails.
• Springbrook Park: A restoration of Clover Creek is under consideration. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin in late 2021.

COVID-19 REGIONAL HEADLINES

• Universal Vaccine Eligibility Effective April 15
  • Everyone over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine beginning on April 15.
• New round of small business grants now open for application
  • Working Washington Grants are available to small businesses affected by the pandemic. Funds are to be used by for-profit businesses for hard costs such as rent, utilities, and payroll to offset lost revenue, and added expenses to maintain safe operations.
• Rent and mortgage assistance available from City of Lakewood & Pierce County
  • The City of Lakewood is offering emergency payments for rental and mortgage assistance. Terms and application information are detailed here.
  • Pierce County is offering rental assistance for tenants affected by COVID-19. Terms and application information are detailed here.
• State of Washington, Pierce County now in Phase 3 of recovery plan
  • Spectators are allowed to attend outdoor venues with seating with capacity capped at 25%. Social distancing and facial coverings are still required.
• Eviction and utility shutoff moratoriums extended
  • The statewide eviction moratorium was extended to June 20, 2021. The statewide utility shutoff moratorium was extended to July 31, 2021.

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