Our charter : Why we’re here

On April 1, 2024, the Lakewood City Council was ready to take action on a proposal that could help undo small businesses, churches, health professionals and other businesspeople that line an entryway to our downtown. There was no targeted notification of the neighborhood and businesses. The only voices at the planning commission hearing earlier that year were from the developers. The neighborhood and small business owners received no notice. Lakewood was incorporated nearly 30 years ago to give its citizens a voice — and a way to debate, disagree, and engage in back-and-forth. Save Our Unique Lakewood’s goal is to ensure that every hearing includes someone advocating for the community, not just developers. We want to keep Lakewood’s unique character, charm, and history while supporting smart, community-driven growth.

• When we protect Lakewood’s character, charm, and history, we’re saving Lakewood.
• When we save trees and green spaces, we’re saving Lakewood.
• When we push for smart, responsible growth, we’re saving Lakewood.
• When we ask for transparency and integrity in city planning, we’re saving Lakewood.
• When we support fixing up areas that need help without harming thriving neighborhoods, we’re saving Lakewood.
• When we help neighbors speak up and get involved, we’re saving Lakewood.

Our participants may not always agree on every detail or proposal every time, but we’re united in our mission to inform, support, and organize each other. Developers and planners do this for a living. We’re just volunteers, so we have to work together to make our voices heard.

Should we have apartments and condos? Of course we should. Every city should, and we know South Puget Sound needs more of them. We’re right next to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, for Heaven’s sake. There are a legion of underdeveloped lots and vacant lots throughout town. Do we need to pay developers to  displace small business and trees and build apartments up and down major thoroughfares — that’s where we have concerns and questions.

With so many empty lots in town, what’s the rush to tear down buildings and neighborhoods with character?