City of Lakewood Completes $18 Million Sewer Project in Tillicum, Woodbrook

Editor's Note: This is a press release by the City of Lakewod.

The City of Lakewood has completed an $18 million sewer extension project in the Tillicum and Woodbrook Neighborhoods. The project started in 2005 and was named a top priority by city leaders upon incorporation and has remained a top priority with the current City Council.

City leadership has been committed to provide the necessary infrastructure for those neighborhoods to provide the platform for economic revitalization.

“While we are proud of our public works team in leading the completion of such a massive project, we are more excited about the opportunities for growth the sewer system represents for the residents and businesses in Tillicum and Woodbrook," said Andrew Neiditz, city manager.

Public Works Director Don Wickstrom said the sewer system will improve the neighborhoods in several tangible ways:

“The system will improve overall water quality and public health, protect property values threatened by failing septic systems and allow businesses to expand and properties to redevelop," Wickstrom said.

McDonald's was one of the first businesses to take advantage of the new sewer system, expanding its restaurant to more effectively meet the consumer demand of the neighborhoods. On the residential side, Habitat for Humanity, in cooperation with the City of Lakewood, plans to construct approximately 30 new homes in Tillicum that will be connected to the sewer.

Letters describing the sewer hook-up process are currently being mailed to property owners.  While Lakewood managed the construction of the new sewer system, the system has been approved and turned over to Pierce County for operation and maintenance.