SENIOR CENTER & PARK GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

ROOTED IN COMMUNITY - GROWING TOGETHER

The City of Traverse City and Grand Traverse County will host a Grand Opening Celebration for the newly rebuilt Senior Center on Tuesday, April 30, 2025, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. This open house-style event invites the public to tour the expanded facility, learn about programming offered through the Senior Center Network, and explore the new public park amenities. Formal remarks will take place at 4:00 PM.

Growing the Tree Canopy

In celebration of Earth Week—and the City’s 36th consecutive year as a Tree City USA community—750 White Pine seedlings will be distributed during the event. This initiative reflects the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the continued growth of Traverse City’s urban forest.

A Bold New Vision for Senior Engagement

Set along the scenic shores of West Grand Traverse Bay, the Senior Center has expanded from 5,780 to over 18,000 square feet. The newly reimagined facility offers a welcoming, modern space for recreation, wellness, and community connection.

Sustainability: First of Its Kind in Michigan

The new Senior Center is the first clean-energy-powered community center of its kind in the State of Michigan. It serves as a model for environmentally responsible public facilities, incorporating innovative sustainable features such as:

• Full Electrification: A fully electric design, eliminating fossil fuel use
• Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Providing renewable and energy-efficient climate control
• Green Roofs: Reducing stormwater runoff and improving insulation
• Pervious Pavement: Supporting natural water filtration and minimizing surface runoff

This facility exemplifies Traverse City’s leadership in sustainability and climate-conscious design.

Features at a Glance

• Modern Amenities: Commercial kitchen, updated furnishings, group fitness areas, game rooms, and multipurpose meeting spaces
• Recreational Enhancements: Tennis and pickleball courts, shuffleboard, pool table, and outdoor patios
• Improved Accessibility: ADA-compliant pathways, enhanced beach access, restrooms, and a covered drop-off area

A Community-Driven Investment

The vision for this transformative project took shape in 2022 when the City of Traverse City received a $7 million allocation from the State of Michigan, making the long-envisioned rebuild a reality. The project officially broke ground in September 2023, culminating in a total investment exceeding $10 million, funded through State of Michigan support ($7,000,000), City ARPA funds ($766,385), Brown Bridge Trust Fund ($250,000), City Funds, Friends of the Senior Center, the McCauley Trust Fund, and private donations.

Grand Traverse County provided $800,000 for future maintenance and operations. Funds were utilized for operational items such as the TVs and kitchen equipment. 

Event Details

Location: Senior Center, 801 E. Front Street

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 30, 2025 | 2:00 – 6:00 pm

Speaker Remarks: 4:00 pm

Special Feature: 750 White Pine Seedlings Available – Celebrate Earth Week and Help Grow the Urban Canopy



This event marks a transformative chapter for local recreation, senior engagement, and environmental leadership—proudly and firmly rooted in community.

MUNICIPAL UTILITIES PROJECT WINS NATIONAL AWARD

SANITARY SEWER RELOCATION PROJECT

The City’s Department of Municipal Utilities has won national recognition from the American Public Works Association (APWA), receiving the prestigious 2025 National Project of the Year Award in the Environment ($1 Million to $5 Million) category. The project will be formally honored at the APWA’s National Awards Ceremony this August in Chicago.

This follows earlier top honors from the Michigan Chapter of APWA, which named the Sanitary Sewer Relocation project its 2025 Project of the Year in the same category. The award will also be formally presented at the APWA Michigan Chapter’s Annual Conference Awards Banquet on May 22, 2025, at the Grand Traverse Resort.

This award highlights the City's proactive efforts to protect the Boardman/Ottaway River and Grand Traverse Bay, while ensuring long-term infrastructure reliability. The project originated from the Boardman River Wall Stabilization Study, which identified a critical risk: the existing 24-inch sanitary sewer running along the river wall between Union and Cass Streets was vulnerable to failure. It also addressed a 1930s-era retaining wall that had become unstable due to soil erosion and structural degradation. The project involved relocating the sewer line where feasible and stabilizing the wall to protect public health and prevent environmental harm. Completed in 2023, the relocation of the sewer southward into the alley significantly reduced environmental risk and safeguarded over 2 million gallons per day, nearly half of the City’s wastewater flow.

Congratulations to the Traverse City Department of Municipal Utilities for this well-deserved honor! Thanks to the leadership of Director of Municipal Utilities Art Kruger, PE, and the collaboration of Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. Elmer’s Crane and Dozer, Inc., the Traverser City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and private property and business owners.this project was successfully implemented in a two-phase approach. The work not only protects public health and water quality but also strengthens Traverse City’s infrastructure for the future.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project totaled nearly $2,200,000 and were funded with bonds through the Michigan State Revolving Fund (SRF) program with low interest loan rates. In 2022, the City adopted two five-year Project Plans for drinking water and clean water (wastewater), which included over $48 million in infrastructure investments.

WEST SIDE SANITARY SEWER REHABILITATION PROJECT

REDUCING INFILTRATION & INFLOW

The West Side Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project began on April 21, 2025. This critical infrastructure initiative aims to reduce groundwater infiltration and inflow, and improve system reliability, by lining approximately 6,900 feet of aging clay sanitary sewer mains ranging from 8 to 15 inches in diameter on the City's west side. The project also includes the lining of the initial five feet of private sewer laterals to further protect against groundwater intrusion. Work is anticipated to be completed in fall 2025.

Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) are terms used in wastewater management to describe unwanted water that enters the sanitary sewer system, increasing the volume of water that needs to be treated at wastewater facilities. Although they are often grouped together, they refer to different sources:

Infiltration

This occurs when groundwater enters the sewer system through cracks, leaks, or faulty joints in aging or damaged sewer pipes, manholes, or laterals (the pipes connecting homes to the main sewer line). It typically happens below ground and increases significantly during wet weather or when the water table is high.

• Causes: Cracked pipes, deteriorated joints, broken manhole walls, or tree root intrusion.
• Impact: Continuous and persistent increase in flow to treatment plants, even during dry periods.

Inflow

This is when stormwater or surface water flows directly into the sewer system, usually through improper connections. Unlike infiltration, inflow is more immediate and can overwhelm the system during or shortly after rainfall events.

• Causes: Roof downspouts, sump pumps, foundation drains, or storm drains that are incorrectly connected to sanitary sewers.
• Impact: Sudden surges in flow during rainstorms, which can lead to overflows, basement backups, or treatment plant bypasses.

Reducing I&I is important because it helps prevent sewer overflows and backups, lowers treatment costs, extends the life of sewer infrastructure, and protects public health and the environment.

The project investment is $1,129,109.12, inclusive of a 25% contingency. In addition, construction engineering services are $83,695.00. The project is being funded through the City's Sewer Fund. Both contracts are funded through the City's Sewer Fund. Additionally, it is part of the City's two five-year project plans for drinking water and clean water (wastewater), with over $48 million in investments that were adopted in 2022.

STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE

COMMUNITY SUMMIT MAY 19TH

The City’s Strategic Action Plan process continues to move forward as the strategic pillars are refined and corresponding action steps are drafted. These efforts are grounded in extensive community engagement, including visioning sessions, Think-Tanks, Focus Group meetings, and a community survey with over 1,200 participants. Each strategic pillar in the final plan will reflect the community’s input and ideas.

Next Steps & Save the Date

• Week of April 28 – Launch of Community Survey #2
• May 19 – Community Summit, Senior Center, 4–6 pm

Registration for the Community Summit is encouraged, but not required.

Registration Link

Looking ahead to 2030, this community-driven plan builds on the City’s current successes while setting a sustainable path for the future. Continued community involvement is key to shaping the plan. Stay up to date and get involved by visiting the project portal and signing up for the mailing list.

PARKING STRUCTURE ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE

Modernization work on both elevators in the Hardy Parking Structure is scheduled to begin the week of April 29, 2025, and is anticipated to be completed by Friday, May 23, 2025. The project will start with the north elevator, followed by the south elevator.

Please note that while work is being conducted on an elevator, it will be inoperable, and the other elevator will remain in service during that time.

The project area will be clearly marked with appropriate signage to inform and guide customers.

MDOT PROJECT UPDATE- TRAFFIC SHIFT

MDOT will be conducting a traffic shift on M-72/M-22 this week. One lane in each direction will remain open. Traffic will move to the existing southbound lanes of the parkway, use a temporary runaround at the M-72/M-22 intersection, and travel along the west side of M-22 on new temporary pavement.

MDOT's 2.2-mile rebuild of M-72 (Grandview Parkway) and M-22 (Bay Shore Drive), from Division Street, began in March 2025. The $25.8 million project will include full pavement replacement, drainage and sidewalk improvements, transit upgrades, a new roundabout at M-72/M-22, and more. Construction is anticipated to be completed in November 2025.

LEAF & BRUSH PICK UP BEGINS APRIL 28TH

The City's Leaf & Brush Pick Up is scheduled later this season and will begin on April 28, 2025. In 2024, the City launched a new map to streamline its annual leaf pickup program, dividing the city into six zones for efficient service. Leaf collection will begin on the west side in Zone 1 and progress eastward through all zones. Residents can view the map to identify their zone and prepare for leaf pickup accordingly. The City will conduct one pass only.

Brush piles cannot exceed 8' x 8' and 4' high - branches no more than 4" in diameter and should be placed in the alley. If there is no alley, brush can be placed behind the curb or pavement edge of the street.

BEACH CLEAN UP

APRIL 27TH

It's Earth Week! Join the Watershed Center on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 1–3 PM at the beach near the volleyball courts for a beach cleanup. This event is part of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup and will feature a demonstration of the Watershed Center's autonomous beach-cleaning robot!

All equipment—including buckets, grabbers, hand sanitizer, and gloves—will be provided. The cleanup will take place rain or shine; however, severe weather may cancel the event.

Please note: Work is ongoing at West End Beach. Both the West End Beach parking lot and the RB parking lot are currently closed.

SARA HARDY HUMANITARIAN AWARD



The Traverse City Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for the 2025 Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award. Named in honor of Sara Hardy, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Human Rights Commission over three decades ago, this annual accolade celebrates individuals who embody the Commission's core principles of fostering mutual understanding, respect, and inclusivity within our community.

Nominations for individuals who exemplify the ideals of human rights may be submitted until May 2, 2025.

BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

The Human Rights Commission invites nominations for its Business and/or Organization Humanitarian Efforts Award, established to honor and give public recognition to a business or organization that has demonstrated an ongoing and sustained commitment to helping others in the Traverse City Region.

The Traverse City Human Rights Commission strives to ensure human dignity through advocacy, education, negotiation and information ensuring understanding and respect among all.

Nominations may be submitted until May 2, 2025.

WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK

RESPECT THE ZONE SO WE ALL GET HOME

National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 21–25. This year's theme is respect the zone so we all get home.

Every year, too many lives are lost in work zones — Over 6,000 crashes happened in work zones in 2024, with 16 fatalities.



Most of these tragedies can be prevented with one simple action: focused driving. The City's crews are out every day fixing aging roads, bridges, and underground infrastructure — for ALL of us. Let’s keep them safe. Let’s keep each other safe.



Drive alert through work zones and obey posted signs and slow down.