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Lakewood council approves Custer Road safety contract after questions on right‑of‑way and tree impacts
Summary
The Lakewood City Council unanimously approved a $88,859.01 professional services agreement with Common Street Consulting for the Custer Road Safety Improvement Project after staff explained 60% design status, right‑of‑way negotiations with the school district, funding sources and measures to protect Garry Oaks.
The Lakewood City Council approved a professional services agreement with Common Street Consulting worth $88,859.01 for design work on the Custer Road Safety Improvement Project.
The motion (2026‑09) was pulled from the consent agenda for questions. Council members pressed staff for details about design completeness, potential cost escalation and where local match funds would come from. Public works staff said the project was at about 60% design and that costs historically have not escalated dramatically at this stage. “Usually, at this stage, we don't see costs shift dramatically,” a public works project manager said.
Councilmember Talbot asked whether right‑of‑way needs—particularly on the school district parcel—would increase the city’s cost exposure. Staff replied some additional right‑of‑way acquisitions were anticipated and that previous projects have used a combination of grant funds, surface water funds and general fund money to cover shortfalls. “This particular grant is different in that it's actually 100% funded. No local match required. However, we've discovered during the right‑of‑way execution that the funds were insufficient in the grant,” the deputy city manager said.
Council also raised concerns about sidewalk geometry and tree impacts along the north side of Custer near John Dower Elementary. Staff said bulb‑outs and sidewalk curves were designed to preserve Garry Oaks and to provide space for Tacoma Power poles, which must be relocated. “Placing the poles behind the sidewalk would put them aerially and cringing more on the Garry Oaks, which we're trying to save,” staff explained.
Staff described planned signal head modifications to provide protected left turns and two left‑turn pockets on Custer as part of the improvements. The council indicated interest in further details about final design and confirmed that staff will continue negotiating right‑of‑way with the school district.
After discussion, the council voted and the mayor announced the motion passed.
Next steps: staff will complete design, finalize right‑of‑way work and return with construction procurement and award recommendations.
