FIVE YEAR PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE

NOTICE OF PLAN AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT

A draft of the 5 Year Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update for the City of Traverse City will be available for public review and comment for 30 days starting on May 1st at noon. Any interested residents may review the plan and send comments. Written comments may be sent to The City of Traverse City, Parks & Recreation Department, 625 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Email comments may be sent to mhunt@traversecitymi.gov. Copies of the plan are on file at the following locations: 625 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, Michigan 49684.

The plan is also available for viewing at the link below. For more information contact: Parks & Recreation Department 231-922-4900.

A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a strategic document that guides the development and maintenance of a community’s recreational spaces. It identifies existing facilities, assesses future needs, and outlines goals and actions for improving parks, natural areas, and recreational amenities. Having an approved plan is also a prerequisite for receiving critical state and federal funding—such as grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

FARMERS MARKET PROJECT

COMMISSION TO CONSIDER CONTRACT

At their Monday, May 4, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will consider authorizing contracts related to the Farmers Market Pavilion project.

Planned for Lot B, the current home of the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market, the proposed pavilion is designed to enhance the market experience with a modern, flexible, and accessible structure. The addition of covered space responds directly to priorities identified through past community and vendor engagement, offering improved weather protection for both vendors and visitors while maintaining public parking operations on non-market days.

The project builds on extensive public input conducted in 2016–2017, which highlighted the need for expanded amenities and covered space. In addition to supporting market operations, the pavilion is expected to create opportunities for year-round use and increased community gathering, further strengthening the market’s role as a vibrant downtown destination.

As part of the broader project, Parking Lot B will also undergo reconstruction to address long-standing infrastructure needs. Improvements include upgraded drainage and stormwater management, expanded tree canopy, and reconfigured parking aligned with current standards and riverfront planning goals.

If approved, the project is anticipated to begin in summer 2026.

The Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market kicks off for the season this Saturday, May 2, 2026.

EAST SIDE PLACEMAKING PROJECT

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP PLANNED FOR MAY 6TH

The City invites the community to take part in an upcoming public engagement workshop focused on the future of the East Side Social District.

This effort builds on exciting momentum: the City was recently selected as a national recipient of a $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, supported by General Motors. The award recognizes the City as part of a highly competitive cohort of transformative, community-driven public space projects across the country.

As part of this initiative, the City is partnering with Project for Public Spaces to engage the community in shaping a shared vision for the East Side Social District, an evolving neighborhood gathering space along E. Eighth Street and Garfield Avenue corridor.

Join the Conversation

Community input is the foundation of this work, and the City is kicking off the process with an interactive, hands-on workshop:

Common Good Bakery

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Participants can expect a fast-paced, engaging session designed to gather ideas, identify opportunities, and explore how the district can continue to grow as a vibrant, accessible, and welcoming space for all.

Attendees are encouraged to bring walking shoes and dress for the weather, as a portion of the workshop will take place outdoors with on-site brainstorming.

Food and refreshments will be provided, including pizza, salad, and treats.

RSVP Here

Building on a Community Space

Established in 2024, the East Side Social District has quickly become a popular neighborhood gathering space, featuring seasonal street closures, outdoor seating, and access to local food and beverages.

Through this placemaking process, the City is looking to build on that success by addressing key opportunities, enhancing accessibility, improving pedestrian safety, strengthening connectivity, and expanding programming that supports both community use and local businesses.

A Community-Driven Approach

With support from Project for Public Spaces, this work will follow a “lighter, quicker, cheaper” approach—focused on practical, high-impact improvements that can be tested, refined, and expanded over time.

The East Side Social District will serve as a model for how community-driven design can strengthen neighborhood connections and inform future corridor improvements across the City.

Take the Survey

For those unable to attend the workshop, the City encourages participation in the East Side Social District user survey to better understand how the space is used. Whether or not you plan to attend, the City values and appreciates your input.

Take the Survey

Strategic Alignment

This effort also directly aligns with the City’s Strategic Action Plan and adopted Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), advancing priorities related to placemaking, walkability, and creating inclusive, people-first spaces.

STREET PROJECT UPDATES

SEVENTH STREET MILL AND FILL TO BEGIN

The City’s 2026 pavement preservation program is underway. Work activities will cause temporary disruptions to pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. Appropriate signage will be in place for detours, and access to all homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Active

Reconstruction of Monroe Street from Bay Street to Wayne Street began Monday, April 6, 2026. This segment is expected to reopen to traffic on or around July 3, 2026, with work continuing throughout the construction season and an anticipated completion date of October 30, 2026. Improvements include sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, curb and gutter, asphalt pavement, sidewalks, and related infrastructure.



The intersections at Monroe Street and Wayne Street, and Monroe Street and Bay Street, will experience intermittent construction. Motorists should expect temporary lane shifts, lane closures, and occasional full closures of street segments during this time.

Oak Street Mill and Fill: Active

The Oak Street project has been delayed due to impacts from the recent flood event. Work is underway on S. Oak Street between Seventh Street and W. Thirteenth Street, with the corridor closed to through traffic. The project is anticipated to be completed the week of May 4, 2026.

Intersections at Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Streets remain open for east-west access. Motorists are advised to use S. Maple Street or Wadsworth Street for north-south travel in the area.

Seventh Street Mill and Fill: Begins May 6, 2026

Beginning May 6, 2026, contractors will close Seventh Street between S. Elmwood Avenue and S. Division Street to all through traffic. The project is expected to be completed by May 15, 2026.

A detour will be provided via S. Elmwood Avenue, W. Eleventh Street, and S. Division Street. The southbound lane on S. Division Street at Seventh Street will be closed. Northbound traffic on S. Division Street heading to the Munson Medical Center Emergency Department will be directed to use Sixth Street.

Sidewalk curb ramps are being replaced to improve ADA accessibility. All crosswalks within the work zone will be closed during construction, with pedestrian detours routed via S. Elmwood Avenue, W. Front Street, S. Maple Street, and W. Eleventh Street.

On-street parking on Seventh Street within the project area will be prohibited for the duration of the work.

LEAF & BRUSH PICK UP

The City's Leaf & Brush Pick Up kicked off on April 27, 2026. On Thursday, April 30th, leaf pick up crews were working in Zones 3 & 4 . Spring Leaf Pick Up is 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.

SAFE STREETS FOR ALL 

GRANT MATCH CONSIDERED

At their Monday, May 4, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will consider authorizing a local match of up to $96,000 for the City’s application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program.

The grant would support the preparation of a Safety Action Plan and Complete Streets demonstration projects designed to improve safety for all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists. The work would build on the City’s adopted Mobility Action Plan and help position the City to compete for future implementation grants.

Potential demonstration projects may include temporary mid-block crossings, bike lanes, intersection safety improvements, sidewalk infill, traffic calming, or conversion of under-utilized center turn lanes into temporary medians with pedestrian refuge areas. Specific locations and designs would be determined in the future and vetted through the Complete Streets Advisory Committee.

The estimated project cost is $480,000, with the grant requiring a 20% local match. The City has also applied for a state participation match through the Michigan Infrastructure Office, which could reduce the City’s contribution to $48,000 if awarded.

If the City receives the grant, funding for the local match would be included in a future fiscal year budget, with projects anticipated to begin no earlier than Fiscal Year 2027–2028. The grant application has received support from several regional partners, including the DDA, TART, BATA, Networks Northwest, MDOT, Grand Traverse County Emergency Management, Traverse Connect, and Disability Network.

CDBG 2026-2027 PLAN

RESILIENT COMMUNITY

In 2024, the City officially became a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Resilient Community, marking its first year of five years as an entitlement grantee. This designation allows the City to directly receive federal funding to address affordable housing, homelessness, and infrastructure needs for low- and moderate-income residents. Program Year (PY) 2026/2027 will be the City's third annual allocation of approximately $370,400 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Note: as of the date of the preparation of this draft Annual Plan, HUD has not announced grant amounts for any grantee entitlement communities.

A 30-day public comment period for the 2026-2027 plan is required for each year’s plan to ensure community voices are heard in shaping local investment priorities.

CDBG funds can be used for:

• Housing (e.g. Rehabilitation, etc.)
• Public Infrastructure/Facilities Improvements
• Public Services

Funds assist Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) individuals and families

• Low- and Moderate-Income Persons (Area/ClientBased)
• Prevention or Elimination of Slums or Blight
• Meet Community Development Needs Having a Particular Urgency

Draft Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2026/2027

The draft goals and proposed spending allocations are summarized below.

Goal One: Assist with the rehabilitation of affordable housing and otherwise lowering the economic barriers to such housing for low- and moderate-income households, seniors, and persons experiencing homelessness. Working with partners including local continuum of care organizations and organizations providing supportive housing, The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, and others.

Goal Two: Support community and economic development projects, including public facility or infrastructure improvements in qualifying low- and moderate-income areas. Collaborate with City Annual Action Plan 2026 3 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Engineering department to identify high priority infrastructure needs in qualifying low- and moderateincome areas.

Goal Three: Support shelters and services for persons experiencing homelessness or persons at-risk of homelessness through capacity building and staffing assistance.

Goal Four: Support program administration.

Final approval will be sought from the City Commission for the 2026/2027 Annual Action Plan at the second public hearing scheduled for May 11, 2026, after the public input period has elapsed, in order to meet HUD timelines.