University Place and Lakewood fire officials say merging the two districts makes sense financially, but some residents are questioning whether their tax dollars would be spent wisely.

On Tuesday, about 60 people attended the University Place Fire District 3 board meeting to discuss the proposed merger.

Some residents said they support the move; others argued against it.

“I firmly believe this is a good deal for Lakewood,” said Scott Stephen of University Place. “I do not believe this is a good deal for University Place.”

Bill Bush, UP’s former fire chief, said the two districts have common interests. This isn’t the 1990s either, he said, referring to previously failed efforts to merge the districts.

“As far as a ‘them-us’ mentality — please. We’ve been down that road before and it serves no purpose,” he said.
Read more »

By Brent Champaco
The News Tribune

A group of University Place boosters hopes to generate support – and money — to build a themed playground at Chambers Creek Properties.

The goal is to raise $200,000 to build the playground, which will be fitted with everything from slides and swings to a rock-climbing wall, by September. To date, it’s raised about $23,000.

The effort, known as Playground by the Sound, is one of amenities that could be offered at the 930-acre site owned by Pierce County. The others include a pedestrian overpass that will open up two and half miles of beach access and future off-leash dog park.

Jeff Allen, chairman of the group’s fund-raising committee, says the proposed playground is a local project for University Place.

Plans call for a 12,000-square-foot playground in the North Meadow area of Chambers Creek Properties.

The community helped produced the playground’s design. Last May, Playground by the Sound held a design day in which elementary students from University Place shared ideas about what they’d like to have in a new playground. The designer, Leathers and Associates of New York, then took the ideas and incorporated them into the design.
Read more »