ATTAINABLE HOUSING FACILITIES ACT

REQUIRED NOTIFICATION MAILED TO PROPERTY OWNERS

The City has issued the required certified mailing to property owners regarding the proposed establishment of an Attainable Housing District and an upcoming public hearing scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. The certified notice is a required step in the process and provides property owners with notice and an opportunity to learn more and provide input before the City considers establishing the district.

What is an Attainable Housing District?

An Attainable Housing District is a designated geographic area established by a local government to encourage the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of attainable rental housing through a property tax incentive.

Authorized under Michigan’s Attainable Housing Facilities Act (2022 PA 236), the program allows eligible rental properties of up to four units within an established district to apply for an Attainable Housing Exemption Certificate (AHEC).

If approved, an AHEC provides a property tax incentive for eligible rental housing for a period of one to 12 years, as determined by the local governmental unit. Individual applications are reviewed and approved by the City and must also receive approval from the State Tax Commission.

Establishing an Attainable Housing District does not automatically provide a tax exemption to properties within the district. Rather, it establishes an area in which eligible property owners may apply for the incentive. The program is intended to help reduce the cost of creating, renovating, and preserving smaller-scale rental housing while encouraging continued investment in the community’s housing supply.

Public Hearing

Before establishing the district, the City is required to hold a public hearing and provide notice to affected property owners. The public hearing will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Avenue.

Strategic Action Plan Alignment

Exploring tools such as the Attainable Housing District advances the City’s Strategic Action Plan priority of Creating a Complete Community with a range of housing opportunities that can serve people at different income levels and stages of life. It also supports the City Commission’s Objectives and Key Results (OKR) Work Plan, which translates the community’s housing priorities into specific actions and measurable outcomes.

By evaluating additional tools to support the creation and preservation of attainable housing, the City continues to work toward a more diverse and resilient housing supply and a community where people have greater access to housing.

DECREASE IN SEASONAL PARKING RATES AND ENFORCEMENT HOURS

SUMMER PARKING SEASON CONCLUDES FOLLOWING LABOR DAY

With the summer season coming to a close, the City will begin transitioning downtown parking rates and enforcement hours to the post-Labor Day schedule previously announced this spring. The changes will be implemented during the week of September 7, 2026 and are anticipated to be fully converted by September 11, 2026.

Following the summer seasonal rates, the following rate decreases and shorter enforcement hours will take effect:

• Premium meters and Hardy Parking Structure: Rates will decrease from $1.75 to $1.60 per hour.
• Non-premium meters and Old Town Parking Structure: Rates will decrease from $1.50 to $1.35 per hour.
• Central Business District enforcement hours: Paid parking hours will return from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. to 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

The seasonal parking structure is designed to align rates and enforcement hours with periods of highest demand. During the peak summer season, increased visitation places greater demand on the downtown parking system, while the post-Labor Day transition reflects lower seasonal demand and a greater share of everyday use by year-round residents, employees, and local businesses. This approach allows the City to leverage peak-season activity to support parking operations and system infrastructure improvements while providing lower rates and shorter enforcement hours during the non-peak season. The previously announced changes to monthly parking permits remain in effect and are not impacted by the seasonal transition.

2026 CAPE SEAL PROJECT

BEGINS SEPTEMBER 9

The City's contractor will begin the 2026 Cape Seal Project on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 and is anticipated to be substantially completed Friday, September 18, 2026, weather permitting. Streets impacted will be closed for several hours to apply the cape seal. Parking will not be permitted during work activities.

Cape sealing is a two-step road preservation process that involves applying a chip seal followed by micro-surfacing. This method helps extend the life of the roadway for 7 to 10 years by sealing minor cracks, improving surface quality, and providing a renewed sroadway surface without a full reconstruction. As part of a cost-effective maintenance strategy, the City plans to apply cape seal treatment to approximately 4 miles of local streets.

Notices will be distributed to those affected in advance. Access will be maintained to all businesses and residences at all times and appropriate signage will be in place. Work is weather dependent and modifications may be necessary. If possible, please use alternate routes avoiding this area to reduce congestion, delay, and promote worker safety.

2026 Cape Seal Locations

• Front Street (Pine to Boardman)
• Bay Street (M-72 to Spruce)
• Sixth Street (Beaumont to Division)
• Hall Street (W. Front to M-37/M-72/US-31)
• Union Street (Garland to S. Union Street Bridge and Eighth to Ninth) 
• Cass Street (N. Cass St. Bridge to Washington and S. Cass Street Bridge to Eighth)
• Eighth Street (Union to Lake)
• Railroad Avenue (Franklin to Eighth)
• State Street (Railroad to Hope)
• Hannah Avenue (Barlow to Bates)
• Quail Ridge/Huron Hills (Eastern to M-37/Center) 

PENINSULA DRIVE SPEED TABLE TRIAL

EARLY DATA SHOWS SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN SPEEDING

Following last week’s installation of temporary speed tables along Peninsula Drive, early traffic data shows a significant reduction in speeding along the corridor.

During the two weeks prior to installation, traffic monitoring showed that approximately 60% to 70% of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit, with the highest recorded speed of 65 mph. In the first week following installation of the speed tables, the percentage of vehicles exceeding the speed limit dropped to approximately 3%, with the highest recorded speed decreasing to 43 mph.

The speed tables were installed on August 20, 2026 as a trial in response to resident concerns and traffic data showing consistent speeding along Peninsula Drive, particularly near heavily visited Bryant Park. The goal is to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, and park visitors.

While the initial results are encouraging, the City will continue to collect and evaluate traffic data throughout the trial period to better understand the effectiveness of the speed tables over time.

The speed tables are temporary and will be removed prior to the winter season to accommodate snow removal operations.

PROJECT UPDATES

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.

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.

Eleventh Street Culvert/Kids Creek Restoration Project: Active

Construction continues onsite for the Kids Creek Restoration Project. The new culvert was recently placed and is a significant investment in the health of Kids Creek. Replacing the undersized crossing will improve water flow, restore aquatic habitat, enhance fish passage, and reduce flooding impacts, all while supporting 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 are closed. 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.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Active

Phase 3 of the Monroe Street Reconstruction began this week, 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

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 (anticipated to begin late September 8)

Cape Sealing (anticipated to begin early September 9)

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF AUGUST 31

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 August 31 Locations

The week of August 31, 2026, work will be conducted on the 600 block of Rose, the 500 block of Bates, the 600 and 700 blocks of Grant, the 800 block of Hannah, and the 800 and 900 blocks of Barlow. This work will cause lane closures and lane shifts. Additionally, the work will cause sidewalk closures.

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, August 26, 2026, water sampling classified all beaches as Level 1 and are considered safe for full-body contact.

POLLINATOR GARDEN TAKES ROOT

LOT P

A little more native color, and habitat, is taking root in downtown Traverse City!

The City has partnered with SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers to create a native plant demonstration garden in the parking lot medians at Lot P, off State Street. Developed with the support of an AmeriCorps member, Kindred James Burke, the project demonstrates how public landscapes can be both beautiful and beneficial to the environment.

The new gardens feature native flowers, grasses, ferns, shrubs, and trees selected to create habitat and resources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while showcasing an alternative approach to traditional landscaping. The project was made possible through City Parking Funds.

Beyond enhancing Lot P, the demonstration garden is intended to provide inspiration for residents interested in incorporating native plants into their own landscapes. Native plantings can benefit local pollinators, support healthy soils, and strengthen the local ecosystem. City zoning also allows native plant lawns without requiring a zoning request, providing residents with opportunities to bring similar practices home.

Small Spaces, Big Impact

Projects like the Lot P pollinator gardens demonstrate how even relatively small public spaces can contribute to larger environmental goals. By rethinking traditionally landscaped areas, the City can create spaces that support biodiversity, strengthen pollinator habitat, and demonstrate sustainable practices within the urban environment.

Strategic Action Plan Alignment

The project directly advances the City’s Strategic Action Plan and Objectives and Key Results (OKR) Work Plan, particularly the strategic pillar of Supporting Environmental Sustainability. The Strategic Action Plan calls for embedding community priorities into City programs and investments, with the OKR Work Plan translating those priorities into measurable action.

Through partnerships, demonstration projects, and thoughtful use of City-owned spaces, the City continues to explore practical ways to strengthen environmental sustainability and build a more resilient community, one garden at a time.

IN THE COMMUNITY

SENATOR PETERS VISITS FISHPASS SITE

Mayor Amy Shamroe joined U.S. Senator Gary Peters on Thursday, August 27, 2026 for a tour of the FishPass construction site as Phase 2 of the project nears completion. Senator Peters secured $22.7 million in federal funding for FishPass, a transformational project that will reconnect the Boardman (Ottaway) River to Grand Traverse Bay while protecting the watershed from invasive species.