Construction moves on for new gate at Camp Murray

The state has started construction on a new gate for Camp Murray in Lakewood, even though the project is under an appeal meant to slow it down or possibly stop it.

Pierce County last month approved revisions to a development permit for the new gate at Portland Avenue and Boundary Street. More than a week later, a Tillicum neighborhood group appealed the city’s decision to issue a separate permit required for the project, which is designed to improve access to the National Guard headquarters.

With the county permit, the state’s contractor, Berschauer Phillips Construction Co. of Olympia, can move ahead with constructing the gate on Camp Murray property. But it needs the city permit to build outside the fence line and connect the gate to Lakewood streets.

“We feel that ultimately our data is solid,” said Rick Patterson, spokesman for the Washington Military Department. “We feel that the city has given us the assurance and confidence in issuing the permit. We have every reason to believe that we’re going to go forward with the project.”

The chairman of the neighborhood group, the Tillicum Action Committee, expressed surprise that dirt is being moved while the project is still under challenge.

“Whatever they do I guess they’re going to do,” Jim Taylor said. “Right now, we’re in a holding pattern waiting for this hearing to take place and we’ll take it from there. I don’t have (a) crystal ball to say to you or anybody what’s going to happen there.”

In its appeal, the group contends the city’s environmental review for the new gate was insufficient. It asks Lakewood Hearing Examiner James O’Connor to reverse issuance of the permit and order the city to hold a public hearing and complete a supplemental review that fully addresses the impacts of the gate move.

O’Connor will hear the appeal Dec. 7.

Neighbors have raised concerns that the new location would drive more vehicles onto quiet neighborhood streets and block access to the Eagle Point community during emergencies.

Officials at the military department say the gate’s current location near Berkeley Street and Union Avenue is unsafe because it’s too close to the busy intersection, an antiquated Interstate 5 interchange and a rail line.

Pierce County is responsible for issuing the permits because Camp Murray is located in an unincorporated area.

The state originally applied for the county development permit in June 2010. The county issued it two months later, but the city was not willing to issue its permit due to concerns about the project at the time. Continued collaboration and study by the city and the state led Lakewood officials earlier this year to agree to issue the permit as long as the state paid for off-site improvements.

Those measures include installing raised crosswalks on Portland Avenue, constructing a new roundabout near the gate entry and putting in signs to identify a designated travel route for Camp Murray drivers away from neighborhood streets.

The county signed off on the revised plans, including the new roundabout, on Oct. 10.

The state awarded the construction contract to Berschauer Phillips, which submitted the winning bid of $3.1 million, on Sept. 21.

The state authorized the contractor to begin work Nov. 11. Berschauer Phillips has 270 days to complete the work, according to Dino Othieno, project manager for the state Department of Enterprise Services.

Meanwhile, the state is making improvements to the old gate: adding a canopy, a retaining wall and a perimeter fence for a future guard station. The gate would stay open for commercial and truck traffic into Camp Murray.

Christian Hill: 253-274-7390
christian.hill@thenewstribune.com