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City reports uptick in commercial and multifamily abatements; fund balance and pending liens noted
Summary
Lakewood housing program manager reported 2024‑25 abatement activity, rising share of commercial/multifamily orders, a fund balance of about $268,600 and a $607,848 abatement lien tied to a property in foreclosure that could restore funds to the abatement account if sold at tax sale.
Jeff Gumb, Lakewood’s housing program manager, presented the city’s abatement program update on July 21, reporting continued activity across dangerous and nuisance properties, rising commercial and multifamily cases and a general fund balance that staff say will require monitoring.
Gumb said the city completed 17 abatement projects in 2024 (14 dangerous, three nuisance) and reported compliance rates historically near 75–78 percent. In 2025 to date staff completed additional projects and had 17 properties pending, 13 of which are under abatement order (seven dangerous, six nuisance). He said six properties have active demolition or repair permits and the city expects many of the outstanding matters to be finished by year‑end.
Gumb presented a current abatement fund balance of approximately $268,600 (as of June 30) with projected revenues and anticipated expenditures. He said expenditures from here forward could be about $187,500 under a normal course of abatements, but noted several large projects could raise projected spending to $280,000–$300,000 if owners do not comply. The city has an abatement lien of $607,848 on 9616 Gravely Lake Drive; Pierce County’s tax sale or foreclosure timeline could return some or all of that money to Lakewood’s abatement fund depending on sale outcomes.
Gumb described recent high‑profile abatement results: demolition and clearing of several hazardous structures, removal of illegally converted units in a Pack Highway property, remediation of a steep‑slope illegal structure above Chambers Creek (required building of an access road for demolition), and city demolition of a vacant strip‑mall structure on Bridgeport as part of downtown park planning. He also highlighted recurring problem sites where owners have had repeat violations and where city warrants or further legal action are pending.
Council discussed funding and repayment mechanics. City finance staff explained that for two larger downtown/Edgewater projects staff used one‑time ARPA and economic development funds to avoid depleting the abatement account; the city expects to reconcile charges and bring any required budget adjustments to council as needed. Council asked staff to continue timely updates if large abatements or foreclosures affect the abatement fund.
