Two facts explain most of how Lakewood works day to day. The first is that there is no center.
Residents use several, for different reasons: Fort Steilacoom Park for anything outdoors, South Tacoma Way for the International District, Lakewood Towne Center and Colonial Center for errands, Tillicum and Woodbrook for a neighborhood life that barely overlaps with the rest of the city.
Even the official Downtown Subarea covers more than 300 acres, which is not a downtown anyone walks across…