HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE

CITY COMMISSION TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION

At their Monday, September 21, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will consider adopting a resolution supporting the continued work of the Housing and Homelessness Task Force (HHTF) and the development of a sustainable and comprehensive implementation plan for its Strategic Vision.

Housing and homelessness are complex issues that involve a broad network of governmental agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, businesses, philanthropic partners, volunteers, and community members. The HHTF was established to bring many of these partners together around a coordinated regional approach.

The Task Force’s Strategic Vision was developed through an extensive community process that included nine Leadership Team meetings, four Advisory Council meetings, dozens of focus-area meetings, three public listening sessions in 2025, and two public input sessions in 2026. The resulting Strategic Vision includes eight recommendations intended to prevent and end chronic homelessness through a coordinated and sustainable approach.

At the June 22, 2026 joint meeting of the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners and City Commission, the Strategic Vision was presented and discussed by both boards. Following that meeting, the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution of support, and the City Commission will now consider a similar resolution.

If adopted, the resolution would support continued collaboration among community partners and commit the City to participating in the development of a comprehensive implementation plan by December 31, 2026. That plan would identify resource requirements, projected outcomes, supporting data, and assumptions and would return to the City Commission for future consideration.

Importantly, adoption of the resolution would not authorize or commit the City to new expenditures, additional taxes, a millage proposal, or an ongoing financial obligation. Any future request involving City funding or tax dollars would require separate consideration and approval by the City Commission through its normal public process.

Strategic Alignment

The proposed resolution aligns with the City’s Strategic Action Plan emphasis on regional collaboration and complete-community approaches. The Strategic Action Plan identified housing and homelessness among issues requiring coordination beyond City boundaries and specifically reflected community input calling for a regional approach to supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Participation in the HHTF and development of an implementation plan also advances the City’s OKR Work Plan and broader Strategic Action Plan objective of strengthening partnerships with regional organizations and local units of government to address complex issues that require a coordinated, regional approach.

JUBILEE HOUSE

COLD WEATHER DRIVE UNDERWAY

As colder weather approaches, Jubilee House is hosting its annual Cold Weather Drive to collect winter gear for adults experiencing homelessness in the Traverse City community.

Jubilee House is Traverse City’s only drop-in day shelter for adults experiencing homelessness and serves as the designated location among its partner organizations for distributing winter coats and boots. With approximately 560 guests served, winter gear—particularly men’s items—is a significant need.

Items currently needed include heavy-duty and waterproof winter coats and snow pants, boots, blankets, thermal underwear, backpacks, gloves and mittens, heavy-duty sleeping bags, new tarps, and long-lasting hand warmers. Men’s coats, snow pants and thermal underwear in size large and above and boots size 10 and above are especially needed.



Donations may be dropped off at Jubilee House, 325 Washington Street, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Cold Weather Drive continues through November 21, 2026, although donations will continue to be accepted afterward. Donations should not be left outside when Jubilee House is closed. 

SEVENTH STREET MILL & FILL

WADSWORTH TO MAPLE

The Department of Mobility Infrastructure began Phase 2 (Wadsworth to Maple) of a series of mill-and-fill improvements on Seventh Street this past week, continuing efforts to improve pavement conditions and extend the life of the roadway.

The work is being completed in-house using the City’s newly acquired Asphalt Zipper, which expands the City’s ability to rehabilitate roadways with its own crews. The equipment was purchased following a successful demonstration on Fourteenth Street, where crews completed more than 6,000 linear feet of milling at approximately half the cost of contractor estimates. In July, crews put the new equipment to work on its first official rehabilitation project, completing a portion of Washington Street between Rose and Prospect.

By completing roadway milling in-house, the Asphalt Zipper allows the City to reduce project costs, accelerate maintenance schedules, shorten construction durations, minimize lane closures, and respond more quickly to roadway maintenance needs.

The current project is the second of three planned phases on Seventh Street. Phase 1 extended from Elmwood Avenue to Division Street, and Phase 3 is planned from Wadsworth Street to Lake Avenue.

The phased improvements support the City’s ongoing pavement preservation efforts and its Strategic Action Plan and OKR Work Plan priorities to strategically invest in transportation infrastructure and improve connectivity throughout the City.

PROJECT UPDATES

COMPLETE, ACTIVE, AND UPCOMING

Seventh Street Mill and Fill (Wadsworth to Maple): Active

Project began September 14, 2026.

Catch Basin Cleaning Project: Active

Project began September 8, 2026.

S. Garfield Sidewalk Construction Project: Active

Project began September 8, 2026.

Farmers Market Project: Active

Construction is underway on the new Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market Pavilion. Parking Lot B is closed for the duration of the project, which includes construction of a modern, accessible covered pavilion, reconstruction of the parking lot, upgraded drainage and stormwater infrastructure, enhanced landscaping, and parking improvements to better serve the market and surrounding riverfront. The project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Active

Phase 3 of the Monroe Street Reconstruction is underway, with Monroe Street closing from Randolph Street to West Front Street. Work will include sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, curb and gutter, pavement, sidewalks, and related improvements, with intermittent impacts expected at the Randolph and West Front intersections. This final phase of reconstruction is anticipated to be completed and reopened to traffic on or around October 30, 2026, weather permitting.



Projects Completed

Eleventh Street Culvert/Kids Creek Restoration Project

Pavement Marking Project

Oak Street Mill and Fill (Seventh Street and W. Thirteenth Street)

Seventh Street Mill and Fill (S. Elmwood Ave. and S. Division Street)

Elmwood Mill and Fill (W. Front Street and W. Eleventh Streets)

Washington Street Resurface (Rose Street to Prospect Street)

Cass Street Crosswalk (E. State Street and E. Front Street)

Looking Ahead

Crack Sealing Project: Begins September 2026

HARDY PARKING STRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

PARKING SERVICES TEMPORARY RELOCATING

Beginning Monday, September 28, Parking Services will temporarily relocate in-person operations from the Hardy Parking Structure to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) offices at 303 E. State Street, Suite C, while flooring improvements are completed in the southeast pedestrian tower of the parking structure.

The southeast pedestrian tower provides the only public access to the Parking Services offices. During the project, Parking Services staff will have a workstation available at the DDA office to continue assisting customers in person.

Temporary In-Person Service Hours

Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sunday: No in-person service

Parking Services staff will remain available by phone during normal operating hours, including Sundays. Staff will provide curbside service for permit purchases or any other transactions scheduled by calling the office at (231) 922-0241.

Work in the Hardy Parking Structure is expected to be completed by Sunday, October 11, 2026 with in-person Parking Services operations returning to the Hardy Parking Structure following completion of the project.

The City appreciates the public’s patience during these temporary improvements.

Background

Parking Services is undertaking phase two of a five-year restoration program for both City parking structures, representing an investment of more than $1.6 million to maintain and preserve the structures and extend their useful life.

MAZINAADIN EXHIBITION

HONORING THE PAST AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

The Arts Commission is continuing its collaboration with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) regarding the future of the Mazinaadin public art exhibition located in the Clinch Park pedestrian tunnel.

In 2018, the Arts Commission began collaborating with the GTB to develop a public art exhibition recognizing Anishinaabe culture and the deep cultural and historical connection to the Boardman/Ottaway River. The Clinch Park tunnel was identified as the preferred location because of its proximity to the river and the history of Anishinaabe artwork previously displayed within the tunnel.

GTB representatives participated on the Art Selection Committee, which selected artist Bobby McGee Lopez. As part of the process, Lopez conducted a site visit, and a community meeting with tribal members was held at the Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center in Peshawbestown in 2019.

As the artwork was developed, the Arts Commission worked with an appointed tribal representative to select the 19 pieces that would ultimately comprise the Mazinaadin exhibition. The installation was completed in 2019, followed by a community celebration and ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Exhibition Condition

Since its installation, the exhibition has experienced normal wear and tear as well as instances of minor vandalism. More recently, the reconstruction of Grandview Parkway adjacent to Clinch Park resulted in significant construction activity and vibration in the area, and additional vandalism was observed. Several panels required repairs during this period.

Following the April 2026 flooding in the Clinch Park area, panels began sporadically separating from the tunnel walls. Due to the condition of the installation and the potential for additional panels to become loose, the Arts Commission will be working to safely remove the remaining panels from the tunnel while discussions regarding the future of the exhibition continue.

Looking Ahead

The Arts Commission has met with representatives of the Grand Traverse Band and remains committed to working collaboratively on a long-term solution for future public art within the tunnel.

Mazinaadin was originally developed and envisioned as a rotating public art exhibition. As the current exhibition is removed, the Arts Commission will continue working with the GTB to explore a future exhibition for the tunnel that recognizes the cultural significance of the location and builds upon the partnership established. As part of those discussions, the Arts Commission and GTB will also explore whether an appropriate new location can be identified for the existing exhibition.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21

Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) designates galvanized water services as lead service lines if they "are or ever were" connected to a lead gooseneck, requiring utilities to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop to the building. Lead goosenecks, installed before the mid-1940s, are 3-foot lead pipes used between the brass connection to the water main and a galvanized pipe.

The City has since installed copper services and has no known fully lead service lines. Not all private galvanized lines need replacement; those originally connected to City-owned copper services don't require replacement. The water service line replacement project started in May 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.

Week of September 21 Locations

The week of September 21, 2026, work will be conducted on the 900 and 1000 blocks of Woodmere Avenue. This work will cause lane closures, flagging operations, and sidewalk closures.

CDBG ANNUAL

PERFORMANCE REPORT

At their Monday, September 21, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will hold a public hearing on the City’s 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).

As a CDBG entitlement community, the City is required to submit an annual CAPER to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), documenting the use of CDBG funding and progress on funded activities. The 2025-2026 program year concluded on June 30, 2026.



During the program year, the City drew down $319,861 in CDBG funds. Funding supported housing and homelessness initiatives and community services, including improvements at East Bay Flats and Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing, as well as services provided through Central United Methodist Church and Jubilee House.

The CDBG program supports the City’s Strategic Action Plan and OKR Work Plan priorities related to housing, homelessness, and strengthening the systems and services that contribute to a complete community.