Lakewood cleaning up prostitution strip

LAKEWOOD, Pierce County — The Lakewood City Council agreed to spend more than $7 million to redesign a mile-long stretch of Pacific Highway through Ponders Corner, an area with a reputation for drugs, prostitution and violent crime.

Officials hope adding curbs, sidewalks, landscaping and lighting will encourage economic development and clean up the blighted image of the area near Interstate 5 and Fort Lewis.

The city manager, Andrew Neiditz, said Lakewood received $3.3 million in state grants for the project.