Submitted by Eric Chandler, Lakewood.
Just to make sure everyone has an opportunity to get some details regarding this project, below are direct links to get that information:
Here is how you can provide COMMENTS to the Hearing Examiner….
“The public can comment on this proposal between now and March 19, 2024. Comments can be mailed to the City of Lakewood, Attn: Andrea Bell, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. Or email abell@cityoflakewood.us.”
One thing you should be aware of is the fact that Barnes & Nobles’ lease is up for renewal thru the property owner Kite Realty, and that is why Kite wants to reuse their property. Thank you Mayor Whelan for pointing that out to me.
After reading the City’s information; looking at the Alliance Plans; and doing some analysis of the City’s ingress & egress possibilities for that area, I am still against this 10.7-acre, 390-apartments complex, mainly because of the extreme difficulties regarding traffic that will ensue if the project goes thru. Kite’s engineering drawings do include an alternative way out of the apartments….Mixed-Use Street, Proposed Name “URBAL WAY”, but will likely, as not, be ignored because it will be so inconvenient….it’s a long, long slow Way to Tipperary….I’ve used that way on rare occasions…lots of speed humps/bumps and a 15 MPH speed limit.
Instead, I predict that 108th Street, or 111th Street, via Davisson Rd, or perhaps to 112th via Davisson Rd / Highland Ave will become a more direct way, especially for drivers wanting to get to I5. Why do I say that? Because 101st Street, Lake Louise Drive, and 104th Street are speedways for people wanting to bypass Steilacoom Blvd to get to / from work or the 5 schools we have in our neighborhood (i.e., Pierce College, Lakes HS, Lake Louise Elementary, Dr Claudia Thomas MS, and the Lakewood Lutheran School). Paths of Least Resistance.
This Alliance Lakewood TownCenter plan troubles me because of the way I see drivers CURRENTLY ignoring speed limits (i.e., 25 MPH over the entire length of 108th, unless school is in session, then it is 20 MPH). Right now there are traffic snarls along that stretch when parents drop- Off / Pick-up their children. Another issue is relative to those choosing to use 111th street. Did you know that is also a 25 MPH roadway and….there are NO CENTER LINES nor sidewalks. It is a long, relatively straight, and likely an unregulated thoroughfare. And 112th is 35 MPH, and is already heavily used.
With an additional 400+ vehicles wanting to use one of those other streets as a likely alternative way out of the apartment complex, there are some real dangers to students, parents, and staff of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School as well as kids who attend Clover Park High School and that walk from / to their homes into these neighborhoods. It also puts at risk the people who live in the very-large neighborhoods that also use those ways in / out of their homes….can you imagine trying to use any of these streets, particularly during rush hours, waiting at STOP signs?
So…please do present your issues about this proposed project w/Ms Andrea Bell either by snail or email. She is the conduit to letting the independent Hearing Examiner know what might trouble you about or, mayhaps, even support this project.
Thank you, ever-so much, Ben Sclair, for letting me voice my opinion….you are in fact, the primary arbriter towards truth, through the auspices of your journal with respect to the ability of plain citizens to express their concerns.
It needs to be known that both the City of Lakwood Mayor, Jason Whalen, and a City Council Member, Mark Brandstetter, have contacted me, via phone, to talk about this project.
Quite honestly, as long as the “system” WORKS with respect to the independent Hearing Examiner’s job, methinks WE….Citizens, Council, Mayor, and the Hearing Examiner can influence this project sufficiently to make it “WORK” for the benefit of all. We shall see…..
BUT….it depends on EVERYONE IN LAKEWOOD putting in their CONCERNS and SUGGESTIONS to the City’s Primary Point of Contact to THE “INDEPENDENT’ HEARING EXAMINER:
Snailmail:
City of Lakewood
Attn: Andrea Bell
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Or email:
abell@cityoflakewood.us.
It is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for EVERY ONE CONCERNED about this PROJECT, especiially every-day citizens who will feel the impact of its implementation, to make your VOICE HEARD….P L E A S E DO SO !!
EKC
Eric Chandler,
Based on my years of observing issues similar to what you describe above and with 40+ years in the rental business. I well understand that a sad typical scenario can play out as follows:
Chapter I: No one listens to your excellent description of the facts and concerns related to this projected project.
Chapter II: Not enough citizens participate by sending their thoughts to Andrea Bell, even though you have made it easy for them to do so.
Chapter III: Following the project being built, a child is run over and killed on one of the back streets you reference after the project converts the street to a high-speed raceway.
As a former police officer, I have experienced what it is like to pick up a dead child from the street. It is impossible to erase the memory of a dead child lying motionless in the street.
Chapter IV: After a child is killed, the public is up in arms.
Chapter V: Next comes that tired and predictable phrase from the public and politicians, “We have to do something to make sure this never happens again to save children from being killed.”
Chapter VI: I recommend my policy which dictates if you can see a potential problem now, do something now to prevent the first child from being killed. Do not build the project.
The 390-unit apartment complex will become an anthill of people committing crimes such as dope-smoking, car prowls, assaults, and domestic violence, all of which will disturb the peace, tranquillity, and safety of the people who live in the neighborhoods near the proposed complex.
Citizens of Lakewood, please protect the quality of life in my former city by following through on Mr. Chandler’s suggestion to communicate your thoughts regarding this proposed project before it is too late.
Mr. Chandler’s address information:
“SUGGESTIONS to the City’s Primary Point of Contact to THE “INDEPENDENT’ HEARING EXAMINER:
Snailmail:
City of Lakewood
Attn: Andrea Bell
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood, WA 98499”
Because I am no longer a resident of Lakewood, my voice may not count, but I will do what I can by emailing a copy of my comment above to Ms. Bell.
Joseph Boyle – Resident of Lakewood 51 Years
Oops! I forgot to add Mr. Chandler’s city communication email address in my comment above.
If you have an opinion or concern regarding this proposed project, if you wish to preserve the quality of life for the neighbors surrounding the mall, or if you want to do what you can before the first child is run over on the back streets leading to the 390 unit apartment complex, email Ms Bell at the address below.
Copy of Mr. Chandler’s email suggestion:
“Or email:
abell@cityoflakewood.us.”
Joe Boyle
Thank you Mr. Chandler for your excellent notification to all readers of the SubTimes as to the impact of this proposed apartment complex. The traffic impact on the limited access to the area would be significant. Engineering studies have shown that the average residential apartment or condo complex generates between 5 to 7 vehicle trips per day per unit. That would mean between 1900 and 2700 vehicle trips per day. And at peak morning and afternoon/evening hours up to 250 vehicles per hour. Think of that the next time you try to drive through TowneCenter on Main Street between 5pm and 7pm. While the same studie show that each unit may only represent 1.5 vehicles per residence, recent local apartment developments show closer to 2 vehicles per unit, as evidenced by all of the on street parking during overnight and weekend periods. A residential complex of this magnitude needs to be located closer to, or on, a more significant arterial in order to accomodate the additiional traffic generated, not on narrow 2 lane residential streets. The three current access routes to this property are already a challenge during peak periods. And what of emergency services to a complex of this size in this location?
Let’s hope that the examiner and planners consider all the potential impacts on the quality of life here in Lakewood, not just the need for additional affordable multifamily housing.
I agree with all of the above. Just going to the “Villa Plaza” would be an ordeal because of the # of cars. This is a ridiculous idea. To lose Barnes and Noble is horrific. Lakewood needs better management. The waste of money ie. the sculpture and “event area” in the original Colonial Center are examples of this waste. Let’s put this apartment complex in the waste bin where it belongs.
I agree with all of the above!!! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING LAKEWOOD CITY MANAGEMENT!!!
While I am not in favor of the 390 units being added near the area of the Lakewood Mall, I am not convinced that the City of Lakewood deserves any criticism until they make their decision.
As it stands now, it appears to me that it is not the City of Lakewood promoting this overbuild. The city does not own the land. The city does not control the lease with Barnes and Noble.
The city is obligated to accept and process any applications for construction projects that come their way.
A private party/investor is the entity requesting to build the project.
The City of Lakewood’s role is contained simply within the framework of ordinances, laws, and the city’s lawful decision-making authority for what they deem best for the city.
While it is certainly possible for any city to make a bad decision, let’s not be too quick to condemn the City of Lakewood, at least until we see the city’s decision and the thought process behind its judgment.
Joseph Boyle
Absolutely concur w/Joseph Boyle’s comments…..ALL of them.