Removing Lakewood businesses from JBLM crash zone is taking longer than expected
The City of Lakewood’s efforts to clear a potential military crash zone have moved slowly, but those involved say it’s been successful thus far.
Lakewood has received more than $80 million in federal funding to move 21 businesses in a 3,000-by-3,000-foot square north of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord airfield. These businesses are at risk if a plane were to crash near the base, according to a military study.
“The clear zone is supposed to be void of people,” said Bill Adamson, Lakewood’s South Sound Military and Communities Partnership manager. “It was the big, black mark against the installation.”
The city has been slowly working with property owners to relocate, but after three years, only one property has been acquired.
“We are getting behind,” said Adamson.
A tactical gear manufacturing business that contracts with the base, Tactical Tailor, sold its building in January to the city for $ 7.36 million.
The owner, CEO Casey Ingles, told The News Tribune that moving was inevitable. He wanted to work with officials for the best outcome. With more than 140 employees, Tactical Tailor is the largest business in the clear zone.
Discussions to relocate other businesses are underway, but Adamson says more federal funds need to be released more quickly.
“This first one took twice as long as I’d like,” he told the newspaper. “It was the first time we’ve done it, and the first time the military has used this program to buy commercial property. Usually they buy rural land, in the country where most bases are. Here, it is built up to the fence line of the base.”
Pierce County’s hot real estate market has increased selling offers, leading to an increase in interest from business owners. He estimates more businesses will agree to close soon and relocate by the end of the fiscal year.
“As to the next acquisitions, we have identified two more properties, but it is too early in the negotiation process to mention them by name,” Adamson said.
South Sound Military and Communities Partnership agreed with the military to start moving businesses out of the clear zone in 2019. The federal government promised to cover 80 percent of costs with an $80 million cap. Lakewood, Pierce County and the state have agreed to help cover the remaining 20 percent. In 2021, the state legislature offered $1.4 million to help cover the costs of relocation.
The properties already are listed as “non-conforming,” which would prevent current businesses from expanding or new businesses from moving in.
Adamson doesn’t want to rely on city condemnation and believes some reluctant businesses will become more amenable to relocating over time. Four of the manufacturing businesses on the square’s outer rim are expected to take 10 to 20 years to relocate.
“We need to have willing sellers,” he said.
Adamson hopes the clear zone will be cleared of businesses in the next 50 years, giving businesses time to move. Tactical Tailor has negotiated a lease with Lakewood to remain at 2916 107th St South while a new facility is built.
“He’ll probably stay in the building for about two years,” Adamson said.
This story was originally published March 25, 2022 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Removing Lakewood businesses from JBLM crash zone is taking longer than expected."
