SENIOR CENTER COMPLETE

OPENS FOR PROGRAMMING & RIBBON CUTTING FEBRUARY 3RD

The Senior Center is now complete and this a long-awaited community project that will officially open its doors on February 3, 2025!

Ribbon Cutting

Join the City of Traverse City and Grand Traverse County for a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 3 pm. Attendees will be offered an opportunity to tour the facility.A community celebration is planned for spring 2025 to commemorate this milestone.

Key Features of the New Senior Center

The state-of-the-art facility significantly expands from 5,780 square feet to over 18,000 square feet, including covered patios and outdoor spaces. With its northward orientation, the center boasts expansive views of the park, the public beach, and West Grand Traverse Bay, offering an enhanced setting for senior recreation and engagement.

• Expanded Space – Growing from 5,780 to over 18,000 square feet
• Scenic Views – Designed to maximize enjoyment of the park and waterfront
• Sustainability – Incorporating green roofs, pervious pavement, electrification throughout the building, including its geothermal systems
• Accessibility – Improved access to the beach, outdoor spaces, and restrooms
• Modern Amenities – A commercial kitchen, updated furnishings, and state-of-the-art equipment
• Recreational Opportunities – New tennis and pickleball courts, a pool table, meeting spaces, and a fitness room
• Enhanced Convenience – Covered drop-off areas and outdoor patios

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, City ARPA funds, municipal funding, and private donations.

Senior Center Network Programming

The Senior Center Network will begin full programming in the new building starting Monday, February 3, 2025. To ease the transition and welcome the community, the center will be open to the public for informal visits from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, from February 3 through February 14. Visitors are encouraged to stop by to explore the facility, learn about program offerings, and inquire about memberships.

All current Senior Center Network programming, including daily lunch services, will seamlessly transition to the new facility on February 3 with no disruptions anticipated.

BATA Services at the Senior Center

• The FREE BATA Bayline will stop at the corner of Front and Barlow (westbound) every 15 minutes. Requests for door service can be made and accommodated if time allows.
• The FREE BATA Bayline (labeled Aero Park) will offer door service (eastbound) every 30 minutes. The door drop service will be offered on a trial February 3-14, then re-evaluated for sustainability. 
• BATA Link is always available for direct drop-off at the Senior Center.

The Senior Center is located at 801 East Front Street, on City parkland along the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay. Since 2011, under an intergovernmental agreement, Grand Traverse County’s Senior Center Network has managed daily operations and programming at the City-owned facility.

STRATEGIC ACTION PLANNING

STRATEGIC PILLARS DEVELOPED - SURVEY OPEN

The City is in an active phase of the Strategic Action Planning process. It is critical for residents to be engaged in the Strategic Planning process. Keep an eye on the project portal and join the project mailing list to stay up to date on opportunities to get involved.

Strategic Pillars

The Strategic Round Table held on January 21st was an interactive community session that helped create the key strategic focus areas for the Strategic Action Plan. The purpose of the session was to identify 5-6 key strategic focus areas that will support the preferred future for the City of Traverse City.

• Building Socio-Economic Systems and Amenities
• Supporting Environmental Sustainability
• Strengthening Place-Making and Neighborhood Character
• Proactively Manage Urban Design
• Fostering a Regional Collaborative Approach
• Building a Thriving Year-Round Economy

February Focus Groups and Community Input Sessions

To dive deeper into the Strategic Pillars and how we achieve the desired future, Community Focus Group Sessions will be held between February 18-20, 2025. There will be one session solely focused on each Strategic Pillar. In addition, two evening community sessions have been scheduled so input can be provided on all areas. All sessions are open to the public.

Tuesday, February 18

Focus Group: Building Socio-Economic Systems and Amenities  

9:00am - 11:00am         

Traverse Area District Library

Main Branch

McGuire Room

610 Woodmere Avenue

Focus Group: Supporting Environmental Sustainability

1:30pm - 3:30pm         

Traverse Area District Library

Main Branch

McGuire Room

610 Woodmere Avenue

Wednesday, February 19

Focus Group: Strengthening Place-Making and Neighborhood Character

10:00am - 12:00pm          

Traverse Area District Library

Main Branch

McGuire Room

610 Woodmere Avenue

Focus Group: Proactively Manage Urban Design

1:00pm - 3:00pm            

Traverse Area District Library

Main Branch

McGuire Room

610 Woodmere Avenue

Community Update

5:00pm - 6:30 pm     

Governmental Center

2nd Floor Training Room

400 Boardman Avenue

Thursday, February 20

Focus Group: Fostering a Regional Collaborative Approach

10:00am -12:00am            

West Shore Bank Community Meeting Room

3rd Floor

400 E. Eighth Street

Focus Group: Building a Thriving Year-Round Economy

1:00pm - 3:00pm            

West Shore Bank Community Meeting Room

3rd Floor

400 E. Eighth Street

Register To Attend

Community Survey Closes February 14th

A community survey for the Strategic Action Plan project is now available. Its primary goal is to gather insights on the community’s desired future direction to inform the development of the Strategic Plan. The survey is designed for residents of the City of Traverse City and individuals with a direct connection to the community. It seeks to understand their perspectives on life in Traverse City and their vision for the City's future.

The survey is open to all ages. Please share and make it a household activity!

Take the Survey

Think Tank Report

Learn how the community has shaped the process thus far in the Think Tank Report. The report serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding community priorities and will inform the strategic pathways to meet them.

Think Tank Report

Heatmap Survey Data Visualization Platform

TCPD LAUNCHES VOLUNTARY CAMERA PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

HELP INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY

The Traverse City Police Department (TCPD) has launched a voluntary program aimed at enhancing public safety through collaboration with residents and business owners. The program invites citizens to register their private security cameras with the department to help deter, prevent, and solve crimes in the community.

The program leverages the power of modern security technology to improve law enforcement's ability to identify and prosecute individuals who commit crimes. By voluntarily registering private security cameras, participants can help the TCPD respond more effectively to incidents in neighborhoods and business districts.

How It Works

1. Residents and business owners can complete a simple registration form with basic information about their security cameras.
2. The information submitted will be sent directly to the TCPD and will not be shared publicly.
3. Participation in the program is voluntary, and participants can cancel their involvement at any time.

Benefits of the Program

• Enhances community safety and crime prevention.
• Increases the likelihood of identifying and prosecuting offenders.
• Strengthens the partnership between the TCPD and the community.

UTILITY RELOCATION PROJECT BEGINS FEBRUARY 3RD

M-72 will be closed just west of the M-22 intersection in Elmwood Township for approximately four weeks beginning February 3, 2025, as utility companies DTE and Traverse City Light & Power relocate their underground utilities beneath the roadway. In addition, Bay Street will be closed between M-72 and Ramsdell. During the closure, M-72 traffic will be detoured.

The work is being done in preparation for MDOT’s project to rebuild M-72 and M-22 from west of Division Street to Cherry Bend Road, which includes a new roundabout at the M-72/M-22 intersection, currently scheduled to begin in mid-April 2025.

Detours

Vehicular and pedestrian detours have been planned. Sidewalks and the TART Trail on the northwest side of the M-72/M-22 intersection will be closed during the work, along with sidewalk access across Bay Street on the south side of M-72. Directional signs for pedestrians and bicyclists will be posted in advance of the closure locations and detours.

Project updates and detour information are available on the City's website.

SEEKING INPUT ON CITY PARK IMPROVEMENTS

The Brown Bridge Trust Fund Ad Hoc Committee is seeking suggestions from residents regarding their desired improvements to parks and accessibility to parks. The input process is simple, consisting of a single question asking what improvements you would like to see.

Background

In 2019, a ballot proposal passed with 75.89% support, allowing the City Commission to use the Brown Bridge Trust Fund principal exceeding $12,000,000 for City park capital improvements and property acquisition for parklands for five years. This allowance expired on November 4, 2024.

In June 2024, the City Commission established an Ad Hoc Committee to explore the possibility of placing a new proposal before voters in November 2025.

Next Steps

The Ad Hoc Committee is currently evaluating how to propose the use of the funds, with a focus on park and recreational improvements. A key priority is enhancing access to parks to ensure they are more inclusive and accessible for all. The Committee plans to finalize the proposal language by May 2025.

HICKORY WEEKLY CONDITIONS

CHILL OUT HELMET CLINIC

Chill Out Helmet Clinic

Hickory Hills is teaming up with Munson Healthcare's Chill Out team for a free fittings and helmet clinic on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The program will take place inside the lodge from 11 am - 2 pm, or until supplies last.

Raising awareness of preventable injuries and keeping families safe and healthy are behind the Chill Out for Winter Safety program. The program features an endearing mascot, Beary Careful, who raises awareness of preventable injuries using four key principles:



• Dress for the weather
• Use proper gear and a helmet when doing something fast
• Take a buddy with you
• Always ask permission from an adult

Alpine Update

The PEPPI race will take place on Friday, January 31st on Swede from 4 - 8 pm.

Runs Open: Fast Tammy, Magna Carta, Swede, Waterfall, Jack's Trail, Birch, Buck, Cherry Bomb, Mad Dog, Don & Jerry, Bail, Low Grade, Pete, Rotary Rocks & Lodge Alley.

Nordic Update

With a few days of warmer weather, grooming activities are restricted to periods of cold to avoid causing trail damage. The best skiing conditions will be had during earlier morning hours, before the surface warms too much.

The man made snow on the Hill side of the system will hold up better, and soften less during these warmups.