WEST BAY SHORELINE STABILIZATION & RESILIENCE PROJECT

PROTECTING WEST BAY'S SHORELINE

The City is taking the next step toward protecting and enhancing its shoreline along West Bay through a comprehensive Shoreline Stabilization and Coastal Resilience Project. The effort stems from an extensive public engagement process used to identify priority projects for the Brown Bridge Trust Fund Parks Improvement Program. Following community input, City Commission review, and the development of a voter-approved project list, residents overwhelmingly supported the initiative in November 2025, including a dedicated $1 million investment for shoreline stabilization and resilience improvements.

At their July 6, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will consider approving a continuing services agreement with GEI Consultants, in partnership with Edgewater Resources and Beckett & Raeder, to lead the project. Following a competitive qualifications process that attracted 11 proposals, the consultant team was selected for its extensive experience in Great Lakes coastal engineering, ecological restoration, landscape architecture, and waterfront planning.

The project represents the initial planning and assessment phase of what is expected to be a long-term effort to strengthen the City's shoreline. The study area will generally encompass the City's West Bay shoreline from West End Beach to Bryant Park, evaluating conditions along one of the City's most visible and heavily used waterfront corridors. The consultant team will assess erosion trends, sediment movement, nearshore currents, habitat conditions, public access, and other coastal processes affecting the waterfront. The work will identify opportunities for nature-based shoreline stabilization, ecological restoration, recreational enhancements, and long-term climate resilience. Public engagement will be a key component of the project, providing residents with opportunities to help shape the future of the shoreline.

The outcome of this phase will be a Shoreline Resilience and Habitat Restoration Master Plan that includes conceptual designs, project priorities, permitting considerations, and planning-level cost estimates. While the Brown Bridge Trust Fund provided funding to initiate this planning effort, implementation of future shoreline improvements will require additional funding sources. The master plan will help position the City to pursue state and federal grants, partnerships, and other funding opportunities needed to advance priority projects over time. By establishing a roadmap for future investments, the plan will help ensure the shoreline remains a resilient, environmentally sustainable, and accessible community asset for generations to come.

Alignment with the Strategic Action Plan & OKRs

This project aligns with the City's community-driven Strategic Action Plan and adopted Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) by advancing priorities focused on environmental stewardship, waterfront preservation, park improvements, and resiliency planning. The project also supports OKRs that prioritize sustainable infrastructure, natural resource protection, grant readiness, and meaningful community engagement in planning for the City's future. In addition, the effort reinforces the City's commitment to placemaking by exploring opportunities to enhance public waterfront spaces, strengthen connections to Grand Traverse West Bay, and create welcoming social gathering spaces that serve residents and visitors alike.

WALK, BIKE, BUS

NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL BEGINS

The National Cherry Festival will celebrate its 100th anniversary and officially kick off on Saturday, July 4th. During the festival, we encourage those wanting to enjoy the festival to walk, bike or bus! These alternative modes of transportation not only contribute to a more enjoyable and less stressful festival experience, but also supports more eco-friendly options.

BATA Bayline

Hop on BATA's Bayline route for free and easy transportation during National Cherry Festival. BATA's Bayline offers continuous transportation throughout the festival. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes from any stop location along the route. Bayline travels between Meijer/GT Commons/Munson & across from the Open Space/Cherry Festival from the west and through downtown Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College, and East Bay Beach District to the east. 

Traffic Impacts

Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists should be aware that there will be increased traffic during the National Cherry Festival, especially during the air shows and fireworks. In addition, there are several street closures planned for special events such as parades, art fairs, and car shows.

Parking in Downtown

Those driving into Downtown TC, Downtown Parking is easy and readily available for all events and shopping. Hourly and all-day parking is available in signed parking lots and the Hardy and Old Town Parking Structures. Parking for bicycles is available throughout Downtown.

Airshow and Fireworks Parking: Access to the Old Town Parking Structure is recommended at the Eighth Street entrance. Access to the Hardy Parking Structure is recommended at the Front Street entrance.

Parade Parking: Due to street closures, the Old Town Parking Structure will be accessed at Eighth Street. The Hardy Parking Structure will be accessible at the State Street entrance only.

PROJECT UPDATE

COMPLETE, ACTIVE, AND UPCOMING

Cape Seal Preparation: Active

City crews will be working in various locations throughout the coming weeks to prepare roadways and asphalt surfaces for the 2026 Cape Seal pavement preservation program.

Eleventh Street Culvert/Kids Creek Restoration Project: Active

The City is advancing the next phase of the Kids Creek Restoration Project with the replacement of the undersized Eleventh Street culvert between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street. Supported by a $550,000 grant secured by The Watershed Center, the project will improve water quality, restore aquatic habitat, reduce barriers to fish passage, and expand green infrastructure to support ongoing efforts to remove Kids Creek from Michigan's Impaired Waters List.

To accommodate construction, the 700 and 900 blocks of Eleventh Street between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street closed on June 24, 2026. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are encouraged to follow posted detours. The project is anticipated to be substantially completed by October 1, 2026. This work continues a long-standing regional partnership focused on restoring the health and function of the Kids Creek watershed.

Pavement Marking Project: Completed

The City is pleased to announce the successful completion of its 2026 pavement marking program, achieving its goal of completing all annual pavement markings by June 30, earlier than has historically been accomplished. Clear and visible pavement markings play a critical role in improving safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians while advancing the City's Complete Streets objectives.

AUGUST PRIMARY

ELECTION

The Statewide Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. This election will determine which candidates advance to the November General Election ballot. Remember, voters may only select candidates from one political party in a primary election.

Absentee ballots are now available through the City Clerk's Office, with the initial mailing sent on June 26, 2026.

Early In-Person Voting

Early In-Person Voting will begin on Saturday, July 25, 2026, and will run through Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm. The Early Voting Site for voters in the City of Traverse City is at the Governmental Center, Lower Level, 400 Boardman Avenue.

Precinct 4 Location Change

As a reminder, Precinct 4 has moved polling locations.

Voting Precinct 4

Fire Station 1

500 W. Front Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

Voters can register up to and including Election Day, track their absentee ballot through Michigan's electronic notification system, and verify their registration status at Michigan.gov/Vote.

PUBLIC BEACH

MONITORING & TESTING

The Environmental Health Division of the Grand Traverse County Health Department works closely with the City of Traverse City, Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, and the Traverse City State Park to ensure the health and safety of several public beaches in Grand Traverse County.

The Watershed Center administers grants from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to sample surface water from swim areas of the beaches. The water samples are analyzed for E. coli, a relatively harmless organism that may indicate the possible presence of harmful pathogenic microorganisms.

The Beach Monitoring Dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays. If any beaches report a "Level 2" or higher, those specific beaches will then be resampled. Resample results will be available and published 24 hours later.

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, water sampling conducted classified Senior Center Beach is under a Level 2 Advisory, recommending partial-body contact only. The beach was resampled on, July 2, 2026, and results are expected on July 3, 2026. All other beaches were classified as Level 1 and are considered safe for full-body contact.

FLUSH SMART: PROTECTING OUR PIPES AND WATERWAYS

July is Flush Smart Month, a national effort to raise awareness about what should, and should not, be flushed down the toilet. While it may seem harmless, flushing items such as baby wipes, cleaning wipes, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, and other non-flushable materials can cause costly clogs in home plumbing, sewer systems, and wastewater treatment facilities.

Improper flushing is a significant issue nationwide, with wastewater utilities spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually to repair equipment damaged by non-flushable items. Despite increased awareness, studies show many people continue to flush products that should be disposed of in the trash.

The Three Ps

A simple rule of thumb is: only flush the three Ps—pee, poop, and toilet paper. By being mindful of what goes down the drain, residents can help protect local infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and support the reliable operation of the City's wastewater system. 

NOISE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS INCREASE

The Traverse City Police Department is increasing patrols and traffic enforcement efforts in downtown areas in response to community concerns regarding excessive vehicle noise.

Throughout the summer, officers will conduct proactive enforcement targeting behaviors such as rapid acceleration that causes tire squealing, excessively loud exhaust systems, and amplified music that creates disturbances. Both City ordinances and Michigan law prohibit excessive vehicle noise, and violations may result in fines of up to $500.

The goal of the increased enforcement is to help maintain a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable downtown environment for residents, visitors, businesses, and those enjoying outdoor dining, events, and public spaces during the busy summer season.

Community members are encouraged to be mindful of noise impacts and help contribute to a positive downtown experience for everyone.

INTERNATIONAL PLACEMAKING WEEK CONFERENCE
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH PLACEMAKING

As part of the City’s recent $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant for the East Side Social District, Planning Assistant Katie Miller and Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Colleen Paveglio recently attended International Placemaking Week in Detroit, hosted by the Project for Public Spaces. Conference attendance was included as part of the grant award, and provided an opportunity to learn alongside community leaders, planners, and practitioners from around the world about creating vibrant, people-first public spaces.

Placemaking focuses on creating welcoming spaces where people want to gather, interact, and build relationships. Whether through public art, community events, outdoor seating, improved walkability, or other public space enhancements, these investments help create a stronger sense of place and belonging while bringing people together around shared experiences. Well-designed public spaces can serve as community living rooms—places that foster unity, encourage civic pride, and strengthen connections among residents.

The grant, awarded by the Project for Public Spaces with support from General Motors, supports planning and implementation efforts for the East Side Social District. Traverse City was selected as one of only three communities nationwide to receive funding through the program.

The project is already generating strong community participation. In May 2026, the City and the Project for Public Spaces hosted a community workshop and launched a public survey, generating nearly 300 responses. Notably, a significant share of respondents were from the 49686 ZIP code, which includes the surrounding neighborhoods, demonstrating strong local interest in helping shape the future of the East Side Social District. Feedback gathered through the engagement process will help shape a vision for the East Side Social District that prioritizes safety, accessibility, community gathering, and support for local businesses.

Ideas and best practices shared during International Placemaking Week will help inform the next phase of the project as the City continues working with the community to create public spaces that are welcoming, connected, and reflective of Traverse City’s unique character.

Alignment with the Strategic Action Plan & OKRs

This project aligns with the Strategic Action Plan that was rooted in community input, and the City Commission's adopted Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) by:

• Focusing on corridors with a people-first design model, prioritizing safety, accessibility, and comfort for pedestrians while balancing transportation and economic activity.
• Developing and enhancing social gathering spaces that support community connection, inclusive programming, and local businesses.
• Using pilot projects and phased investments to test, refine, and scale placemaking strategies that can inform future corridor improvements and urban design across the City.

The East Side Social District will serve as a grassroots model for how targeted, community-driven design can strengthen neighborhood connections and create more welcoming public spaces citywide.