City of Lakewood

Habitat for Humanity Groundbreaking in Tillicum

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Category: Press Releases

Published on Thursday, 08 December 2011 09:14

City of Lakewood and Habitat for Humanity Break Ground for Over 30 New Homes

The City of Lakewood and Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity broke ground in Tillicum to make way for over 30 new homes.  The homes will replace dilapidated buildings and vacant lots to provide home ownership opportunities for families making  30-50% of area median income ($21,150--$35,850 for a family of four).

The groundbreaking featured the actual demolition of buildings by City Officials, as one entire dilapidated structure was razed during the ceremony. City Manager Andrew Neiditz said the groundbreaking was “symbolic of the economic transformation that the Tillicum neighborhood is experiencing.”

The project was forged by a close relationship between the City and Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable homeownership opportunities to very low-income households throughout Pierce County. Habitat for Humanity has built over 180 units of affordable housing in Pierce County with only one foreclosure in its 26 year history. 

Habitat for Humanity has previously built three homes in Lakewood.  With the addition of  these 30 new homes, Habitat and the City are looking to expand their partnership by eliminating blight and creating much needed homeownership opportunities for the residents of Tillicum.

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 12/2/2011

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Category: Weekly Info Bulletins

Published on Friday, 02 December 2011 12:06

December 2, 2011
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

• Lakewood’s 16th Christmas Tree Lighting Festival this evening: Santa is coming to town for the 16th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on December 2nd.  There will be lots of free activities for everyone to enjoy including a Kiddies Parade, crafts, games, refreshments and of course a visit with Santa.  Participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Emergency Food Network.  The event is from 4 – 7pm at Lakewood City Hall.
• Lakewood Police conducts 2nd Annual Fallen Officers Food Drive:  On November 29th, the Lakewood Police Department kicked off its 2nd Annual Fallen Officers Food Drive to benefit the Emergency Food Network (EFN).   Donations of food and money were accepted at the Police Station, all Forza Coffee locations, Pierce County Library branches and Lakewood Hardware from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, and will continue until the drive concludes on December 5th. So far, $22,525 and 30,126 pounds of food have been collected. This is the biggest one day food drive for EFN in 30 years.
• Bridgeport Way Construction Work Update:   Starting next week, December 5th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., traffic at the north City Limits on Bridgeport Way SW will be reduced to two lane-two direction traffic. i.e., only one lane open in each direction.  However, all lanes will be open each night.  Delays should be expected when traveling through this area.
• Safety training at coffee businesses: CSRT supervisor, Lt. Steve Mauer, and other CSRT team members gave a safety presentation on November 21st to 17 owners, managers and baristas of several stand-alone coffee businesses within the City.  The presentation was due to recent robberies of the coffee stands.  A security assessment was made of several of the buildings.  Suggestions were given on proper lighting, positioning of security cameras, strengthening of windows and doors and removal of signs and other items from the window area that obstruct vision inside and outside of the stands.  An emphasis was placed on awareness of customers and the immediate reporting of suspicious activities and individuals to the police.  Some basic self-defense techniques were shared with the employees as well.
• Senior Center Visits Veterans Memorial Museum:  A group from the Lakewood Senior Activity Center traveled to Chehalis for a guided tour of the Veterans Memorial Museum.  This team of lively older adults was met by a docent eager to share information about the museum as well as insight on the displays throughout the museum.  This museum features a 9,000 square foot main gallery and hundreds of displays honoring our veterans. 
• CSRT conducts crime prevention presentation to apartment residents:  CSRT member Gail Conelly recently conducted a crime prevention presentation for the residents of a north Lakewood apartment complex which has experienced a rash of vehicle prowls and burglaries. She presented ways for the residents to protect themselves and their property, as well as suggestions for increased protection of the apartments through actions of the management staff, such as better door locks and lighting.  There were about 25 people in attendance.

Lakewood Signs – Upcoming Changes

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Category: Press Releases

Published on Wednesday, 07 December 2011 15:54

The Lakewood City Council adopted an Ordinance revising the City’s sign regulations in June 2011. Many of the changes were business-friendly allowing each business to continuously display one portable sign without a permit, as long as the sign is an A-frame, T-frame, or banner attached flat against the wall of the business. “We understand it is a tough economy for businesses right now and we wanted to provide them with the tools to increase visibility,” said City Manager Andrew Neiditz. Under prior law, similar signage required a permit.

One issue that was not addressed in June was the use of feather banners. The popularity of feather banners emerged after the Ordinance was complete. The Community Development Department issued a clarification on the use of feather banners indicating that these types of signs have different characteristics than A-frame or traditional banners displayed against a wall. The use of feather banners will require a temporary sign permit. “While we understand that these signs are currently popular because their movement draws attention to them, they have had the unintended consequence of creating blight along the City’s streets,” said Community Development Director Dave Bugher. Bugher noted that over time, the feather banners have an increased potential to become torn, frayed and faded. Numerous complaints have been received about the use of these signs, some of which have come from local businesses.

While the City has taken steps to increase business visibility through changing the sign code, City staff has noticed an increased amount of illegal signs along City streets. Much of this sign clutter comes from the overuse of temporary signs. Often the increased use of temporary signs by one business will compel nearby businesses to increase their signage which has an undesired effect on traffic safety, and community aesthetics. Effective immediately, where complaints have been filed regarding illegal temporary signs, Code Enforcement Officers will initiate enforcement efforts. Otherwise, beginning in January, 2012, the City will initiate proactive enforcement for those businesses that have installed illegal signs.

For more information regarding sign regulations, and the specific conditions for the portable signs, contact the City at (253) 512-2261. The regulations can be found in Chapter 18A of the Lakewood Municipal Code at http://municode.cityoflakewood.us/ .

City Manager's Weekly Info Bulletin 11/25/2011

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Category: Weekly Info Bulletins

Published on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 11:38

November 25, 2011
WEEKLY INFO BULLETIN
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Andrew Neiditz, City Manager

• Lakewood’s 16th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival: Santa Claus is coming to Lakewood! All Lakewood residents are invited to the 16th annual holiday festival Friday, December 2^nd, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street in Lakewood. The Christmas Tree Lighting Festival includes a Kiddie Parade, the lighting of Lakewood’s Christmas tree, free children’s crafts, games, holiday music, refreshments and a visit with Santa. Children and those young at heart are invited to march in the Kiddie Parade and follow Santa to town. This is a great opportunity for day care centers, youth groups and scout troops to kick off the holiday season. Meet near the old GI Joe’s Building (5831 Main Street SW) at 4:15 p.m. Experience the lighting of Lakewood’s Christmas tree at 4:30 p.m. and welcome Santa to town at 4:45 p.m. Participants are encouraged to dress warm and bring non-perishable food items for the Emergency Food Network.

• Woodbrook TIB Grant of $750K awarded to City: The City of Lakewood was notified of award of a State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant for $750,000 for construction of improvements on Murray Road and 150^th Street in Woodbrook. In addition to a roundabout at the intersection of Murray Road and 150^th (which will improve the intersection’s level of service from “F” to “B”), this project will construct the roadway on Murray Road between 150^th and 146^th. It will be widened and receive sidewalks on one side, and the roadway on 150^th between Murray Road and Spring Street will be widened and receive sidewalks on one side. Construction is scheduled to take place Spring / Summer of 2012.

• Lane Closure on Bridgeport Way at North City Limits: Starting Monday, November 28^th, the outside southbound lane of Bridgeport Way between Leach Creek and Flanegan Road will be closed between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for wall removal and replacement. The work will take place for approximately 3 weeks and will be limited to weekdays. This work is in preparation for the sidewalk improvements to be constructed in spring 2012. Looking ahead: additional wall construction south of Flanegan Road will start in January 2012 -- also requiring a southbound lane closure.

• First official Tillicum sewer connection: On November 10^th, Pierce County approved the completed installation of the first sewer connection in Tillicum on Portland Avenue. City and Pierce County staffs are in the process of permit review and support for several more connections in the Tillicum area.

• pre-Thanksgiving Rain Storm response: Public Works is busy responding to several localized flooding / standing water issues throughout the City as a result of the heavy rains. Primary cause is related to leaves clogging storm drains. Public Works appreciates help from citizens to clear debris off the storm drains.