NEW
I-5 project update, presented October 7, 2009 to RAMP (pdf 2 MB)

Request For Proposals:

• Growth Coordination - 1 - RFP 8-13-09 (pdf 51 kB)
• Growth Coordination - 2 - Plan Study Area (pdf 233 kB)
• Growth Coordination - 3 - Narrative (pdf 446 kB)
• Growth Coordination - 4 - SOW (pdf 75 kB)

OEA Planning Assistance

The City of Lakewood, on behalf of the stakeholder communities in the Ft. Lewis/McChord AFB area, has been designated as the Planning Assistance Grant Administrator by the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) at Department of Defense. In January, OEA awarded the City a $450,000 planning assistance grant to study congestion on Interstate 5 through Ft. Lewis.

The City is also preparing a more comprehensive study request to identify and analyze community “gaps” that exist in the region in order to properly handle the growth at Ft. Lewis and McChord AFB. The subject areas to be examined include school capacity and location, housing affordability and availability, transportation congestion, community and social needs, and other emerging issues. A summary of the two studies follows.

I-5 Transportation Alternatives Analysis and Operational Traffic Model

The grant funds efforts to refine computer traffic models and determine which transportation alternatives would best address the challenges in the Interstate 5 corridor adjacent to Ft. Lewis and McChord AFB. The 18 month study, closely coordinated with the Washington State Department of Transportation, Ft. Lewis, McChord AFB and other regional stakeholders, considers which strategies hold the most promise for reducing the congestion drivers experience on I-5 as a result of the increased base population.

The work effort will focus on the development of a detailed operational traffic model of I-5 mainline freeway ramps and the adjacent arterial network, as well as appropriate and necessary traffic forecasts needed to support that model.

The project will provide an assessment of current traffic conditions; determine future transportation needs of the expected population increase; develop and analyze alternatives within the study area to accommodate the rapid influx of people; identify resource needs and potential sources; provide a coordinated action plan; and assure informed decision making. This effort will establish the regional context for more detailed actions by protecting critical natural environments, managing resources, directing growth and providing a coordination plan for providing regional services in an efficient and effective manner.

Ft. Lewis & McChord AFB Growth Coordination Plan

In April, the City hosted a regional workshop to identify local impacts as a result of growth at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base which will merge in 2010 as "Joint Base Lewis-McChord."

Business representatives from local chambers of commerce joined together with officials from the state and federal government, installation staff, as well as about 90 representatives from cities, counties, school districts, fire departments and utility providers from both Pierce and Thurston counties participated. More than 30 agencies were represented. Subject matter included discussions on a variety of topics, including education, housing, infrastructure, emergency services, economic development and workforce development.

The City will integrate the information collected into a grant application to the Department of Defense's Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to fund an impact study. The study could include multiple research projects around the areas of education, transportation, housing, utilities, emergency services, quality of life and economic opportunities. It will also provide guidance on how to mitigate these impacts.

The Growth Coordination Plan assesses these and other areas of impact, and provides guidance to local communities about managing future growth and demands for services. In general, the project will:

• provide an assessment of current conditions
• determine future needs of the expected population increase
• determine short term and long term priorities to accommodate the rapid influx of people
• identify resource needs and potential sources
• provide a coordinated action plan
• and assure informed decision making

This effort will establish the regional context for more detailed actions by protecting critical natural environments, managing resources, directing growth and providing a coordination plan for providing regional services in an efficient and effective manner.

An example and summary of the topics expected to be covered in the Growth Coordination Plan include:

Education
An important consideration for communities is preparing for increased enrollment and funding deficiencies at local public schools. Growth impacts on the post-secondary and vocational-technical education services in the region will also be assessed.

Transportation
The growth of the south Puget Sound region and McChord AFB and Ft. Lewis will result in a growing demand for additional regional transportation infrastructure. It is an important responsibility of local government to plan, fund and construct transportation infrastructure so that it is in place when the impacts of growth develop (known in the Growth Management Act as concurrency)

Housing
One of the most pressing issues for defense communities is where to house the new influx of residents. Some of the personnel will live in on-base housing, but the majority will not. A major challenge is how to provide sufficient off-base housing at affordable prices in the surrounding communities to meet the increased demand.

Utilities & Emergency Services
Future growth at these installations may impact existing and future utility plans and emergency service demands. There are several different sources of the various utilities including both public and private utilities providing water, sewer, solid waste, telephone, electric, gas, cable, and internet access services, as well as a number of different special districts providing emergency services.

Quality of Life / Support Network
Community and social needs to serve the arriving troops and their families will be evaluated. Issues and services may include: libraries, cultural resources and facilities in arts and entertainment, parks and recreation facilities, public access open space and trails, and teen centers.

Economic Opportunities
Growth at Ft. Lewis and McChord could result in increased opportunities for additional prime contracts, partnerships, subcontracts, suppliers, and defense related companies, as well as increased demand for office and warehouse space.