PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR MOBILITY INTIATIVES

MOBILITY ACTION PLAN AND TART IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION PROJECT

MOBILITY ACTION PLAN

In fall 2022, the City kicked off the planning initiative for a Mobility Action Plan. That plan will represent the City’s first-ever comprehensive plan towards building a non-motorized network throughout the community and will guide infrastructure improvements in the future through the implementation of the plan. 

March 15 Public Open House

In Person Session:

March 15: 3:00 – 7:00 pm

The Alluvion (Commongrounds)

414 E. Eighth Street

This pubic open house will review the Mobility Action Plan’s vision and values, discuss different types of non-motorized facilities, include a street segment building activity, provide a summary of community engagement results to date, as well as a look at the first draft of the proposed mobility network. The City is seeking input on the proposed network plan and additional desired outcomes as it relates to the transportation. 

TART IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION PROJECT

The City, in partnership with Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails, and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), will continue to present design concepts to improve and extend the regional trail network that runs throughout the community.

The TART Improvement and Extension project is located between West End Beach and the intersection of Peninsula Drive/US 37 and Eastern Avenue. The plan elevates the existing TART Trails Network by enhancing the functionality and enjoyment of the Trail as well as extending its reach along Peninsula Drive from East Front Street to Eastern Avenue.

Public engagement sessions for March will serve as a follow up to the February engagement sessions. The sessions will focus on different areas that are being targeted for improvement and extension. The refined concepts created based on community input will be introduced. In addition, the sessions will host activities and opportunities to provide additional input on how to determine the best ways to enhance the TART network along the Bayfront. Participants will be asked to review concepts for trail extension as well as propose methods for enhancing trail quality.

March Engagement Sessions

Virtual Session:

Focusing on Downtown and Peninsula Sections

March 15: 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Participation Link

In Person Sessions:

Downtown Section Focus

March 16: 3:00 – 4:30 pm

Governmental Center, Training Room

400 Boardman Avenue

Base of Peninsula Section Focus

March 16: 6:00 – 7:30 pm

NMC Innovation Center & Library (Formerly West Hall)

1720 College Drive

PILOT TWO WAY STREET CONVERSION EVALUATION

As part of the pilot Two Way Street Conversion Project, several factors will be evaluated to help gauge the success of the project, including pedestrian volumes, bicycle volumes, crash data, traffic speeds, and traffic volumes. 

Traffic data will be sought multiple times throughout the pilot program to record the frequency and volume of pedestrians, vehicle maneuvers, and speeds. Efforts are focused on understanding how the conversion of State Street to two-way traffic is currently operating, identifying opportunities for improvements, and best understanding how traffic is flowing into, through, and out of the downtown area and impacts on the neighborhoods.

At the end of the two-year pilot, it will be determined if two-way traffic will become permanent or if the pilot should be extended for further study and evaluation.

As part of the project, the DDA has committed to continually reaching out to business owners and residents of Downtown, city maintenance operations, and surrounding neighborhoods to gain feedback. In addition, as the two-way conversion is experienced, users may provide suggestions at two-way@downtowntc.com

ADULT USE & RETAIL CANNABIS LICENSES ISSUED

The City Clerk’s Office has completed the process to review the adult use retail cannabis applicants and has issued all 16 licenses on March 9, 2023. The application process was extensive and robust, and required a tremendous amount of documentation which was vetted by a number of City departments, with a substantial review conducted by the City Clerk’s Office and investigations conducted by the Traverse

City Police Department.

Applications were submitted from all 12 addresses currently licensed as a medical cannabis provisioning center and four others. All 16 applications received fell within the number of licenses allowed per subarea. Of the 16, 11 of locations would be in a position to immediately submit their final application to the state because they are fully built-out. The state then has 90 days to make a licensing determination, meaning up to 11 could be operational relatively soon. The other 5 have construction to complete before they can submit their application and then the state will have 90 days to make a licensing determination. 

THE PERFORMANCE 2022

AT A GLANCE

The City has released its 2022 annual report, The Performance, which provides insight into major accomplishments and significant projects completed during the past year. Throughout the report many achievements for the City are highlighted, among many other topics.

This Week's Features

The City Commission’s 2022 adopted Goals and Objectives identified housing and homelessness as a strategic priority with a goal to increase opportunities for more diverse housing through public and private options.

The City has explored a number of tools to expand housing opportunities for all, which included issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) from developers to build housing at the location of Lot O, 159 East State Street, and chose to chose to pursue a proposal from Homestretch.

The City approved Day Center Operations at Safe Harbor on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am - 6 pm from October 15th to May 15th for individuals experiencing homelessness.

And lastly, approving and extending a number of PILOTs for various affordable housing projects throughout the City.

CITY AWARDED USDA GRANT

PILOT COMPOST AND FOOD WASTE REDUCTION PROGRAM

The City has been awarded a $255,396 two-year United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to pilot a Compost and Food Waste Reduction project. SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers will support the project with processing management, logistics, oversight, and aid with the selection of interested vendors through RFP hauling contracts as well as food waste source identification.

Currently, the City provides curbside seasonal leaf pick up and annual brush pick up for its residents. Materials are taken to the City’s Keystone facility for composting. The organic material is supplemented by materials from the County-operated brush drop-off. Finished compost products are used by the City for its public lands, parks and green spaces and any remaining material is sold for bulk purchasing.

The purpose of the program is start to provide some City residents and businesses with easy access to more organic material pickups, especially including food waste. Further, monitoring the associated reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from organic material diverted from landfills into composting used these toward the City’s Carbon Neutral Target. It is anticipated that, when the system is working to max capacity, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions diverted from the landfills will be equivalent to eliminating twelve cars on the road in a one year time period.

In 2022, the City Commission adopted Goals and Objectives identified climate as a strategic priority with a goal to address climate within all of our City priorities, goals, policies, and actions.

HICKORY HILLS

SKI SEASON CLOSES WITH SLUSH CUP!

Sadly, ski season comes to an end this weekend at Hickory Hills on Sunday, March 12th. The annual Slush Cup event begins at 1 pm. Join us for the fun!