I-5 Traffic Pattern Study: Over the next two weeks, crews will study traffic patterns between Interstate 5 interchanges, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the greater Lakewood area. But they aren’t going to use traffic-counting devices. No one is going to be standing on a corner counting cars, either.
As part of an “Origin-Destination” study being conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation – which is part of a larger I-5 JBLM Interchange Justification Report (IJR) – crews will be installing solar-powered devices that can pick up Bluetooth signals and track the routes of drivers.
Those devices will track how many vehicles use I-5 to access JBLM and surrounding areas. That data will help determine the South Sound’s transportation future in terms of what improvements are needed in one of the most congested regions in the state.
Click here to read more about the project and the device that will be used to track traffic patterns.
Business Showcase: Davinci Salon and Spa
The City of Lakewood released a new Business Showcase on its website this week featuring Davinci Salon and Spa. It features the story behind owner Sunny Galaviz, who opened the spa a year ago. Galaviz is also involved with “Look Good and Feel Good.” It’s an American Cancer Society sponsored program. Sunny volunteers every month to do make up, hair, wigs, turbans, and whatever is needed to help cancer patients going through chemotherapy. She volunteered at local nursing homes early on while attending college.
Click here to read the Business Showcase on Davinci Salon and Spa.
MLK Celebration Photo Gallery
Talk about positivity.
Last Saturday, the City of Lakewood celebrated its 11th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the Sharon McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College.
A diverse array of performers and speakers educated, entertained and uplifted an audience that was equally as diverse. Dr. Nancy Bristow, African American Studies professor at the University of Puget Sound, shared her knowledge of King’s legacy.
One of the highlights of the event was the uplifting performance of the Total Experience Gospel Choir, led by Pastor Pat Wright.
Check out the City of Lakewood’s Facebook page for a photo gallery from the event.
You can also check out some video highlights of the event on the City’s Vimeo page .
Economic Development
Demographics Now Training
Economic Development attended a training covering free and available Demographics Now websites and links. The guest speaker was the Pierce County Library System’s Behrooz Madjdi, and he regularly offers training on these products to the business community.
Housing Forum
Mayor Don Anderson, Councilmembers Mary Moss and Marie Barth, City Manager John Caulfield and other City departments attended a Housing Forum this week, hosted by Congressman Denny Heck. The Forum was well-attended and provided information from a variety of sources all working in the housing sector. Panelist and speakers worked in banking, housing development companies, housing agencies in the public and private sectors, as well as policy and economic trending affecting housing in Washington State. The keynote speaker was Secretary Shaun Donovan of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
WRPA Risk Management School
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Mary Dodsworth spent time last week at the Washington Recreation and Parks Association Risk Management School. The purpose of this school is to educate professionals on best practices in risk management for parks, playgrounds and recreation programs. The sessions were designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of risk management, including tools to recognize, asses, and control exposure to loss or injury, and minimize adverse effects or impacts to our City and program participants. Dodsworth was the chair of this statewide school.
Rotary Presentation
Director Dodsworth provided the lunchtime presentation at the Lakewood Rotary Club on Friday, January 24, 2014. She shared information regarding the goals and strategies in the Lakewood Legacy Plan and revisions to the Farmers Marketand SummerFEST event. She also provided updates regarding new park purchases, gateway projects and lease changes and potential partnership projects at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Council Meetings
The City Council will be holding a special meeting on Monday, January 27, 2014, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW. Agenda item for the meeting include:
- Approve the submittal of an energy grant application to convert streetlights to LED.
Following the special meeting on Monday, January 27, 2014, the Council will be holding a Study Session, in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW. Agenda items for the meeting include:
- Lodging tax collection and guidelines.
- Section 108 Curb Side Motors loan and National Development Council contract.
- 2015 Comprehensive Plan update.
- Review of dangerous and potentially dangerous dog appeals code amendments.
The City Council will be holding a regular meeting on Monday, February 3, 2014, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW. Agenda item for the meeting include:
- Youth Council Report
- Clover Park School District Report
- Appoint members to Planning Advisory Board
- Adopt dangerous and potentially dangerous dog appeals code amendments.
- Adopt lodging tax collection and guidelines.
- Approve Teamsters collective bargaining agreement.