Submitted by KM Hills.
On Friday, April 18, 2025, after enjoying dinner at a local Lakewood taco restaurant, located at Steilacoom Blvd. & Edgewater Dr., we headed home along the edge of Lake Steilacoom. As we drove past the boat launch I was surprised to see an empty lot, which the City of Lakewood now owns.
Over a year ago, March 28th, 2024, the Suburban Times shared this story about a home that was taken from a local family, by The City of Lakewood. In the story, King 5 shared that The City of Lakewood had plans, that dated back to 2019, for park improvements, which included a parking lot where the million dollar home used to stand.
The included picture shows the empty lot of grass, where the home used to be, with signs reading, “New Grass/Please Let Me Grow”. Am I the only one that is confused as to what is going on? The City, for six years, according to King 5, has had plans for park improvements. As we move into peak park season The City took the time and effort to plant, grow, and protect new grass, with signs, where a parking lot was supposed to be built. With the congestion that happens around the boat launch why is there grass and not the planned parking lot?
If The City had no immediate plans then why did they displace a family from their home? I distrust our Federal Government and sometimes our State Government. It is a shame when you begin to distrust the lowest and most local level of government. Plans for SIX YEARS and no follow through.
Oh and my review of the restaurant… Check out this review of Sugar Bones Tacos on Google Maps.
In 2023 there was public engagement and input. At that time, the City was applying for funds to start the work. Were the funds approved? I have not heard. I have not seen it go out for bid yet, either/
I get so tired of unkept promises. Don’t know why that is so hard, but, promises shut up some people, giving them hope, for a while, then the same problem pops up once again..
I saw that the other day too. I wondered the same thing. We could definitely ask the city and I’ve heard there was an issue regarding paving the lot, but without asking the city (which I doubt they’ll be forthright with an answer) we might not know the “truth”.
Eminent domain is a form of “taking” but the property owner is compensated for it.
AND…..THE ANSWER IS ??