EMS PRIMARY TRANSPORT PROGRAM

TCFD PREPARES FOR 2026 LAUNCH

At their Monday, January 26, 2026 meeting, the City Commission will be provided an update on the Traverse City Fire Department's EMS Primary Transport Program.

The City continues to make significant progress toward bringing emergency medical transport services in-house through the Fire Department. Following voter approval of a 20-year millage in November 2023, the City anticipates having EMS Primary Transport fully operational by summer 2026.

Since the project began, the City has hired an EMS Administrator, added licensed firefighter-paramedics, and placed new ambulances into service. A second ambulance was delivered in fall 2025, and additional staff are currently completing paramedic training, with graduations anticipated early this year.

In the interim, the City continues to partner with Mobile Medical Response (MMR) to ensure uninterrupted emergency transport services while staffing, training, and compliance requirements are finalized. Upcoming steps include continued hiring, professional development, equipment and facility upgrades, and maintaining required licensing and certifications.

Once launched, the EMS Primary Transport program will allow the Traverse City Fire Department to provide end-to-end emergency response and transport, strengthening local emergency services and improving long-term reliability for the community.

2026 PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECTS

REVIEW WITH CITY COMMISSION

On Monday, January 26, 2026, the City Commission will review and discuss the City’s proposed 2026 Pavement Preservation Projects, a comprehensive plan focused on extending the life of local streets while balancing safety, mobility, and long-term Complete Streets goals.

The plan outlines a mix of mill-and-overlay and Cape Seal treatments on streets across the City, selected based on pavement condition ratings, utility coordination needs, and overall asset management priorities. Advancing these projects early in the year allows the City to take advantage of a competitive bidding window and a limited construction season, helping reduce long-term maintenance costs while improving drivability.

Staff will also present how Complete Streets principles were evaluated for each project using national guidance and the City’s Mobility Action Plan. Because the Complete Streets Advisory Committee is still being formed, staff is recommending that most streets be repainted in their existing configurations for 2026, with flexibility to revisit and adjust bicycle and pedestrian features in future years through a robust public process. One notable exception is Front Street, where a buffered bike lane is recommended to improve safety and support traffic calming.

The City Commission’s discussion will focus on confirming this approach before projects are put out to bid and brought back later this spring for contract approval. 

OBJECTIVES & KEY RESULTS

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the City Commission formally adopted the Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) that will guide implementation of Traverse City’s Strategic Action Plan, translating community vision into clear, measurable priorities for the coming years.

The OKR’s have been developed by drawing from the community input during the Strategic Action Plan process, Commissioner interviews, Commission work sessions, and staff interviews, and are organized around six Strategic Pillars: proactively managing urban design; strengthening placemaking and neighborhood character; fostering regional collaboration; creating a complete community; supporting environmental sustainability; and building a thriving year-round economy.

Together, they provide a shared framework to align City budgets, programs, and policies with long-term community goals. Moving forward, the OKRs will serve as a practical roadmap for City staff and the City Commission, helping prioritize work plans, guide partnerships, and track progress through defined outcomes over the next one to three years.

HICKORY HILLS SEASON UPDATES

CHILL OUT HELMET CLINIC ON SATURDAY

Hours and Special Dates

Hickory Hills has opened for the winter season!

Open Runs: Fast Tammy, Magna Carta, Waterfall, Swede, Jacks Trail, Low Grade, Don & Jerry, Bunny, Pete, Buck, Cherry Bomb, and Rotary Rocks. Birch tow is temporarily down, but can be accessed and is open for skiing.

During the season, early openings will continue on scheduled TCAPS days off at 11:00 am. New this season, Hickory will now open early at 1:30 pm on scheduled TCAPS half/early release days. Early openings will not take place on snow days.

TCAPS Early Release Day: January 23rd

Open at 1:30 pm (Doors open at 1:00 pm)

Learn More

Peppi Race

Peppi organizers will continue hosting their race at Hickory on January 23rd. The race will begin at 5 pm. Overflow parking will be available at Willow Hill Elementary. Please consider carpooling to the hill.

Temperatures will be very cold on Friday, January 23rd. If you choose to recreate, we suggest layering up and avoiding exposed skin.

The 10th Annual Peppi Town Slalom includes all three local high school ski teams, and some of the best high school ski racers in the state, competing under the lights for the coveted Pep-E TISH-ner Trophy. The event is a cross-town tradition established to celebrate the legacy of Peppi Teichner, one of Hickory’s early founders.

Chill Out Helmet Clinic

Munson Healthcare's Winter Safety Program will be hosting their annual Chill Out Helmet Clinic at Hickory Hills on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm. Free fittings and helmets will be offered until supplies last.

Nordic Update

Early morning grooming continues and skiing conditions are said to be excellent. On the hill side, crews continue to make snow, so be cautious.

Thank you volunteer groomers!

CHRISTMAS TREE

DROP OFF SITE

The Christmas Tree drop off site is available and open for City residents. Please be sure that trees are free of all decorations, tinsel, etc. so they can be properly mulched and reused in nature. The drop off site closes on January 30th. Trees may be dropped off at the boat launch parking lot in Hull Park.

Fun Fact: Trees are chipped and used for trail surfacing in City parks and the Brown Bridge Quiet area, mulching material, and erosion control.

MEETING STREAMING

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Recently, there have been technical issues that have prevented the City Commission and Planning Commission meetings to stream on Facebook and the City's YouTube channel. Should this happen, the meeting recordings can be viewed on the Traverse Area Community Media website.

This week, the Planning Commission meeting did not stream. It may be accessed for viewing at the link below.

Planning Commission Meeting

ABATEMENT & DEMOLITION OF

120 & 122 W. STATE STREET

DETOURS AND TCFD TRAINING PLANNED

The City's contractors will be conducting building abatement and demolition at 120 & 122 W. State Street. The project is anticipated to be substantially complete the week of February 9, 2026, weather permitting.

Beginning the week of January 26, 2026, prior to demolition, the properties will be utilized for training activities by the Traverse City Fire Department. Building demolition is anticipated for the week of February 2, 2026.

Parking Impacts

• Sixteen parking spaces in Lot P along the west side of the 122 W. State Street property will no longer be available.  
• Beginning the week of January 26, 2026, Lot W will close until project completion.

Transportation & Mobility Impacts

• The sidewalk on the north side of the 100 block of W. State Street will be closed during the project. A pedestrian detour will be appropriately signed.
• The alley between the 100 block of W. Front Street and W. State Street will be reduced to a single lane and placed under flag control during daytime hours while the building is actively being razed.