City of Lakewood

City of Lakewood Opposes Proposed E-Verify Legislation

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Category: Press Releases

Published on Friday, 10 February 2012 12:55

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City of Lakewood Opposes Proposed Legislation that would Halt the Use of its E-Verify Program

The City of Lakewood was the first City in the State of Washington to pass legislation requiring that E-Verify be used by contractors doing business with the City. A bill has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature (HB 2568) that would halt the use of E-Verify for programs like Lakewood’s. On February 6, 2012 Lakewood City Council unanimously (7-0) passed a resolution formally opposing that bill.

Since June 2009, Lakewood has required contractors to sign affidavits stating they will use the E-Verify program and not hire anyone who is not legally entitled to work in the United States. E-Verify is a Federal electronic database that examines Social Security and Homeland Security records to make this determination.

“We passed the legislation to protect legal workers and to ensure fair wages in the labor market," said Lakewood Mayor Douglas Richardson. “The proposed bill not only would thwart those goals, it also is inconsistent with statutory authority that gives cities the broad authority to govern their own affairs.”

For these reasons, Lakewood City Council passed Resolution 2012-08 formally opposing the bill. The resolution states that “E-Verify has proven successful in helping prevent identity theft, stolen social security numbers, and serves the citizens of Lakewood by protecting jobs for legal residents and returning veterans.” Lakewood has made its opposition to the bill part of its legislative agenda.

Lakewood Seeks to Determine Damages from Recent Storms

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Category: Press Releases

Published on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 15:17

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City of Lakewood Seeks to Determine Damages to Local Businesses from Recent Storms

LAKEWOOD, Wash. — Economic development officials at the City of Lakewood are in the process of determining the extent of damages to local businesses that resulted from the recent snow and ice storm that hit the south Puget Sound region the week of January 16. If the amount of damages reaches a certain dollar threshold, assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may be available to help businesses recover from the damages.

The city is currently working to determine how many and to what extent businesses in Lakewood incurred “economic injury” as a result of the severe weather. Economic injury is defined as either a loss of revenues due to an interruption in business activity or physical damage to the business’s property.

In order to make the determination, city officials are asking businesses that incurred damages to complete a worksheet that estimates adverse economic impact and property damage. Forms are available under ‘News Updates’ on the city’s website at: www.cityoflakewood.us. Please email completed worksheets to: mperrussel@cityoflakewood.us or mail to: City of Lakewood, ATTN: Melody, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.

These are not applications for funding, but instead are meant to gather information which the city will submit to the SBA. Business owners with questions can call Melody or Becky at (253) 589-2489.

Economic Injury Worksheet

Construction to Begin on Two New Hotels in Lakewood

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Category: Press Releases

Published on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 09:35

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Business and leisure travelers will soon have two new hotels to choose from when visiting Lakewood and neighboring Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). This month, prep work began on a site located on Pacific Highway that will soon be home to both a Courtyard by Marriott and a TownePlace Suites by Marriott. The two properties together will provide more than 200 new rooms in an area that has traditionally been underserved by the hospitality industry.

“As the host city for JBLM, we are delighted to have additional hotel space to meet the needs of the hundreds of vendors, contractors and other business people who provide services to the military base; not to mention family and friends of the military personnel stationed at the base,” said Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz. “With the addition of these two hotels, there will be four very nice properties on Pacific Highway, all that have sprung up in the past four years.”

Construction on the two hotels, which will be located next door to each other, will take place at the same time. Groundbreaking for both properties is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2012 with an anticipated completion date in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The four-story 109-room Courtyard by Marriott will provide both business and leisure travelers with upscale accommodations that will include a full-service restaurant and bar, meeting space for up to 100 people, a fitness center and outdoor pool. The TownePlace Suites by Marriott is an extended-stay facility that offers business travelers a moderately priced option. The 101-room hotel will be comprised of studios and one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and in-room work spaces. Other amenities include a fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, a business center and on-site laundry facilities.

The new hotels are being developed by InterMountain Management, LLC, which develops, owns and operates premium brand hotel properties nationwide. In addition to these two new properties, the company operates several hotels in the Pacific Northwest including two in the Puget Sound area: the Hampton Inn & Suites in Tacoma, Wash., and the Hyatt Place in downtown Seattle.

“The Lakewood corridor has long been an underserved area by quality hotels,” said Stan Jones, director of development for InterMountain Management. “The site on Pacific Highway is perfect for those who are doing business or visiting the south Puget Sound area. Not only will it serve the growing population at JBLM, but also the growing number of businesses in Lakewood and surrounding communities.”

Once the new hotels are completed, Lakewood will have four high-quality hotels located on Pacific Highway and all built in the past four years. The LaQuinta Inn & Suites was built in 2007 and the Candlewood Suites subsequently opened its doors in the fall of 2010.

Over the course of three years, the City of Lakewood invested more than $18 million to redevelop two-and-a-half miles of the Pacific Highway corridor resulting in property and roadway improvements making the area “ready to go” for new businesses. In addition to the hotels, Lakewood Ford and Sound Transit have built new facilities along the highway corridor.

About Lakewood, Washington

Lakewood is the second largest city in Pierce County and the eighteenth largest in Washington. It is strategically located between Sea-Tac International Airport and Olympia, the state’s capital. The city is home to 60,000 residents and nearly 3,200 businesses. Lakewood also is the host community to Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Camp Murray, two major military installations. In 2011, Lakewood was named one of the nation’s One Hundred Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance for the fifth year. In addition to vibrant residential and business communities, the city offers a myriad of recreational opportunities for residents and tourists. These include: five lakes offering water skiing, rowing, and fishing; four golf courses; Fort Steilacoom Park, and Lakewold Gardens, to name a few. The city also is the gateway to: Chambers Bay Golf Course, selected as home to the 2015 U.S. Open; Mt. Rainier National Park; and Puget Sound waterways and islands.

About InterMountain Management, LLC

As one of North America’s leading owner/operator and third-party management companies, InterMountain Management, LLC specializes in the select service and extended stay hotel segments. For more than 25 years, InterMountain Management’s dedication to success has been proven in the results as a hotel owner, management company, and hotel developer. Their managed hotel owners have benefited from the development and management knowledge and experience gained from owning and operating their own hotel portfolio. They currently own and/or manage over 75 premium branded hotels in 26 states within Marriott International and other leading hotel brand portfolios. For more information or to view hotel locations across the U.S., please visit its website at www.intermtn.biz

Prevent Foreclosure Workshop

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Category: Press Releases

Published on Tuesday, 24 January 2012 10:14

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“Prevent Foreclosure Workshop” in Lakewood City Hall Presented by South Sound Outreach

A  free “Prevent Foreclosure Workshop” is being held in Lakewood City Hall Council Chambers on January 26th from 1-4pm.  The Workshop is being conducted by South Sound Outreach, a non-profit agency approved by HUD that includes three certified housing counselors. 

The Workshop will cover topics such as foreclosure timelines, communicating with lenders, how to submit a loan  modification request,  the mediation process and  the” Making Home Affordable” program.

South Sound Outreach counsels clients with foreclosure prevention, loss mitigation assistance,  personalized budget plans and credit repair.  Learn more about South Sound Outreach by visiting www.SouthSoundOutreach.org