BROWN BRIDGE QUIET AREA LAND ACQUISTION

ADDITIONAL 528 ACRES

The City officially closed on the acquisition of 528 acres adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following overwhelming voter support in November 2023 for the use of Brown Bridge Trust Fund dollars to support the project. The acquisition was made possible through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and funding support from a $2,352,200 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grant awarded to the City. Following the opportunity to acquire the property for $3,098,445, more than 80% of City voters approved use of Brown Bridge Trust Fund principal in an amount not to exceed $746,245 to provide the required local match.

The acquisition represents a significant investment in public land conservation, passive recreation, and future trail connectivity within the Boardman/Ottaway River corridor. With the recent acquisition, the Brown Bridge Quiet Area has expanded from approximately 1,500 acres to more than 1,800 acres of protected public land. The property expansion creates new opportunities for environmental stewardship, outdoor recreation, and long-term public access to natural areas. As part of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant requirements associated with the acquisition, hunting access will be permitted on portions of the property. Additional details regarding access, regulations, and implementation will be shared as planning efforts progress.

While the property is now publicly owned, City officials emphasize that additional work must occur before the site can safely support regular public access.

Access and Future Improvements

The City, in partnership with the Grand Traverse Conservation District and the Brown Bridge Advisory Committee, is also advancing trail planning and conceptual trail development for the property.

Summer 2026: The public can expect a soft opening of the expanded trail system within approximately 90 days, as required by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant program. During this initial phase, access to the new property will be available through existing trailheads along Ranch Rudolf Road and via trail connections from Grand Traverse County's Camp Greilick property.

There is currently no dedicated public access point to the newly acquired parcel. Visitors are discouraged from parking along nearby roadways due to narrow shoulders, guardrails, and limited sight distance. Additional site improvements, including boundary surveys, fencing near the adjacent shooting range, and other safety measures, must be completed as part of the transition process.

Summer 2027: The City plans to construct a new trailhead along Hobbs Highway beginning in spring 2027. Planned amenities include a parking area, restroom facilities, a universally accessible trail, and a viewing platform overlooking Spring Lake. These improvements will be funded through the City's Brown Bridge Park Improvements Fund.

Additional information regarding trail planning, property access, and future improvements will be shared as work progresses.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER 

PRESENTED IN ANISHINAABEMOWIN AND ENGLISH

On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the Traverse Area Historical Society, the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, representatives of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and City employee team members gathered to celebrate the reinstallation of the State Historical Marker along Grandview Parkway at Murchie Bridge, near the mouth of the Boardman/Ottaway River.

Originally gifted to the City of Traverse City by the Michigan Historical Commission in 1957, the marker recognizes the significant role Grand Traverse Bay has played in the history and development of the region. Through a collaborative effort led by the Traverse Area Historical Society and the Groundwork Center, the marker's text was revised and updated to reflect a more complete and inclusive historical narrative.

The City extends its gratitude to the Traverse Area Historical Society, the Groundwork Center, and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for their partnership and guidance throughout the project. Thanks to their collaboration, the updated marker is now presented in both Anishinaabemowin and English, honoring the enduring cultural heritage of the Anishinaabe people and helping to tell a more comprehensive story of our community's history.

FLOODING IMPACTS

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCY

At their Monday, June 8 meeting, the City Commission will hear a presentation from the Department of Municipal Utilities regarding infrastructure improvements and their impact during the historic April 2026 flood event. The presentation highlights how years of proactive investment in water, sewer, and wastewater infrastructure helped protect public health, reduce environmental impacts, and maintain critical utility operations during one of the most significant flood events in the Boardman/Ottaway River watershed.

The April storm pushed river levels to record highs, with flows near Brown Bridge Road reaching 1,120 cubic feet per second—92% higher than the previous record set in 2014. At FishPass, water levels came within approximately one-half inch of the modeled 500-year flood elevation, underscoring the extraordinary magnitude of the event and the importance of resilient infrastructure investments throughout the watershed.

Several recent infrastructure projects directly reduced potential impacts. These included the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Relocation and River Wall Stabilization Project, the 2025 Sewer Lining Program, upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and construction of the FishPass labyrinth weir.

Together, these investments helped prevent sewage discharges, reduce flooding risks, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain wastewater treatment operations throughout the event.

One notable example was the 2023 sanitary sewer relocation project, which moved a critical sewer trunkline away from the river corridor. During the flood, erosion exposed abandoned infrastructure, but the relocated sewer remained protected. It is estimated that the project prevented the potential discharge of approximately 1.5 million gallons of raw sewage per day into the Boardman/Ottaway River and Grand Traverse Bay.

The presentation also details how the Wastewater Treatment Plant successfully managed flows that increased by approximately 60% above normal daily conditions while maintaining compliance with water quality standards. Daily sampling showed treated water remained well within permit limits, with the facility's membrane treatment system continuing to remove 99.99% of E. coli during the event.

The study session will conclude with a discussion of ongoing resiliency efforts, including continued sewer rehabilitation, Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements, stormwater planning, watershed collaboration, and long-term infrastructure replacement strategies designed to prepare for future extreme weather events.

2026 BIEDERMAN VOLUNTEER AWARD

HONORING JOHN KOSTRZEWA

The City of Traverse City and Charter Township of Garfield Recreation Authority (Rec Authority) has named John Kostrzewa as the recipient of the 2026 Ross Biederman Volunteer Service Award, recognizing his exceptional commitment to outdoor recreation and volunteer service in the community.

Known to many as "Coach K," Kostrzewa has dedicated countless hours to supporting Nordic skiing and winter recreation at Hickory Meadows, where he volunteers to help design, groom, and maintain the park's cross-country ski trail system. He was nominated by fellow volunteers who cited his tireless dedication to the Rec Authority, Hickory Meadows, and the Traverse City Nordic skiing community.

Kostrzewa served as head coach of the Traverse City Central High School Nordic skiing team for 17 years and continues to support youth skiing programs through the Vasa Ski Club. He also serves on the City of Traverse City's Hickory Hills Advisory Committee, helping guide the future of one of the community's most cherished recreation assets.

The award was presented during a ceremony on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Historic Barns Park's Cathedral Barn.

The Ross Biederman Volunteer Service Award honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to the Rec Authority's parks and programs. The award is named for Ross Biederman, who served as chair of the Rec Authority Board from its founding in 2003 until 2021 and whose legacy continues to inspire volunteerism throughout the region.

The City congratulates John Kostrzewa on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his many years of service helping connect residents and visitors to the outdoors.

ELMWOOD MILL AND FILL PROJECT 

BEGINS MAY 26

The City's contractors will be closing S. Elmwood Avenue between W. Front and W. Eleventh Streets to all through traffic for a mill and fill project on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The project is anticipated to be completed on June 12, 2026.

The intersection of Medical Campus Drive and S. Elmwood Avenue will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the project.

A detour will be provided using W. Front, S. Division, and W. Eleventh Streets. Parking will be prohibited on S. Elmwood Avenue for the duration of the project.

Northbound S. Division Street traffic with Munson Medical Center Emergency Room as their destination will be directed to use W. Sixth Street. Southbound S. Division Street traffic with Munson Medical Center Emergency Room as their destination will be directed to use Seventh Street.

Sidewalk curb ramps are being replaced to improve ADA accessibility at the intersection of Sixth Street and S. Elmwood Avenue. The crosswalks within the work zone will be closed for the duration of the project to facilitate the construction. A pedestrian detour will be provided using Seventh Street, S. Spruce Street, W. Front Street, S. Madison Street, Sixth Street, and Beaumont Place.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF JUNE 8

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 June 8 Locations

The week of June 8, 2026, work will be conducted on the the 800 block of W. Front, the 400 and 600 block of E. State, the 100 and 200 blocks of Franklin, the 500 and 600 blocks of Washington, and the 300 block of Wellington. This work will cause lane closures and lane shifts. Additionally, the work will cause sidewalk closures.

STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN

AND

OKR WORK PLAN UPDATE

At its June 8, 2026 meeting, the City Commission received the first quarterly update on implementation of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) Work Plan that was adopted in March 2026. ,

The report highlighted progress made during the first quarter of implementation across the City's six strategic pillars, including housing, neighborhood and placemaking initiatives, environmental sustainability, regional collaboration, economic development, and quality-of-life improvements. The update also identified upcoming projects and policy discussions that will help advance community priorities established through the Strategic Action Plan process.

Quarterly reporting provides transparency and accountability as the City continues implementing the community-driven framework developed through input from more than 1,500 residents, stakeholders, and community partners.

In September, the City is targeting to launch a public facing dashboard that will provide measurable outcomes form the plan.