BROWN BRIDGE TRUST

PARKS IMPROVEMENT FUND

SEEKING INPUT ON PARK AND ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

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 safe, inclusive, and accessible for all. The Committee plans to finalize the proposal language by May 2025.

Provide Your Suggestions

Community input is essential to this process. The 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. The survey will close on February 28th.

Past Improvements

The Brown Bridge Trust Parks Improvement Fund has been used for several park improvements including extensive improvements at Hickory Hills, and improvements to neighborhood parks such as F&M Park, Boon Street Park, Indian Woods Park, and Arbutus Court Park. Funds from the 2019 proposal also contributed to the City’s new Park Signage project. Additionally, improvements at Ashton Park, Highland Park, and Jupiter Park are in the planning stages and will be funded through the 2019 proposal.

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMUNITY SURVEY

TAKE THE SURVEY

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

A Think Tank Report has been completed and summarizes the findings of a Think-Tank workshop and Community Visioning sessions that were part of Traverse City's Strategic Action Plan process thus far. It outlines each key step in the planning, beginning with background exploration and analysis. The process involved "future gazing," where stakeholders considered various possible directions for the city's future and assessed their potential impacts and consequences. From this, participants identified an optimal or preferred future, providing a foundation for determining actionable steps to achieve that vision. 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

Background

The City is developing a community-driven Strategic Action Plan through 2035. The project is a robust, inclusive, and forward- looking planning process. The project’s objective is to produce the Traverse City Strategic Action Plan, which aims to position Traverse City on a continued path of a diverse, resilient, and ‘forward thinking city.’ The process also will explore the future strategic positioning of the City and create an enduring, collaborative roadmap to the future. A fundamental premise is that the world is changing fast, and the city needs decisive thinking to help envision how it will thrive over the coming decade.

The project kicked off in fall of 2024 with Think-Tank workshops, a future oriented exploration of macro trends and their impact on Traverse City. Over 200 community members participated in the Community Visioning Sessions held in November 2024. And in January 2025, Strategic Pillars were developed at a Community Roundtable Session.

Stay Engaged!

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.

DTE & TCLP 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 have their underground utilities relocated 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.

Traffic Detours

• Eastbound M-72 traffic to northbound M-22 will be detoured north on South Bugai Road and east on Cherry Bend Road to M-22.
• Eastbound M-72 traffic to Traverse City will be detoured on Tilton Road, Cedar Run Road, West Front Street, and US-31/M-37 (Division Street) to M-72. A temporary traffic signal will be installed at the Cedar Run Road/Gray Road intersection.
• Westbound M-72 traffic from Traverse City will be detoured on US-31/M-37 (Division Street), West Front Street, Cedar Run Road, and Gray Road to M-72. A temporary traffic signal will be installed at the Cedar Run Road/Gray Road intersection.
• Southbound M-22 traffic to westbound M-72 will be detoured west on Cherry Bend Road and south on South Bugai Road to M-72.
• Eastbound M-72 truck traffic to northbound M-22 will be detoured north on South Bugai Road/South Lake Leelanau Drive (County Road 641), east on East Bingham Road, north on South Center Highway, and east on 4th Street to M-22.
• Eastbound M-72 truck traffic to the Elmwood Township/Greilickville area will detour north on Bugai Road and east on Cherry Bend Road to M-22. 
• Southbound M-22 truck traffic to westbound M-72 will be detoured west on Cherry Bend Road and south on South Bugai Road.

Additional Closures 

• Bay Street will be closed from M-72 to Ramsdell Street. Bay Street will also be closed to through-traffic at the intersections with US-31/M-37 (Division Street), Ramsdell Street, Monroe Street, Elmwood Avenue, Spruce Street, Cedar Street, and Wayne Street.
• East Carter Road will be closed to through-traffic from M-72 to M-22.
• Barney Road will be closed to through-traffic from Gray Road to Cedar Run Road.
• Harris Road will be closed to through-traffic from Cedar Run Road to Barney Road.
• East Lincoln Road will be closed to through-traffic from Bugai Road to Cherry Bend Road. 

A plan for pedestrian and bicycle detours is being developed. Sidewalks and the TART Trail on the northwest side of the M-72/M-22 intersection will be closed during the work, along with the 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 will be published on the City's website when available.

HICKORY WEEKLY CONDITIONS

We welcome you at Hickory Hills!

Alpine

Fresh snow arrived this week and more runs were able to open!

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

Nordic

The entire trail system received a mix of volunteer and piston bully grooming this week, creating ideal conditions. Warmer temperatures and fresh snow are expected to enhance the experience further.

The PB400 has been making regular passes on man-made surfaces and will continue as crews manage the snow. Upper trails are being packed and groomed using the Tidd Tech to build a solid base and ensure coverage throughout. After grooming is completed in the Meadows, the PB400 will resume work, with additional volunteer grooming in the Hills.

Trail users in the Meadows will find excellent coverage, with full grooming treatment and tracks being set where conditions allow. 

STAIR RAILING IMPROVEMENTS

This past fall, the City’s Parks Division, in collaboration with the Grand Traverse Conservation District, completed the installation of new stairs at Hannah Park, located off Sixth Street near the corner of Union. The stairs now feature a newly added railing to enhance safety and accessibility. This upgrade was part of preparations for the Hannah Park Overlook project, which is currently underway.

The Hannah Park Overlook Project is anticipated to be completed, weather permitting, March 26, 2025.

Work activities include:



• Removing and salvaging sidewalks.
• Selective demolition of fieldstone walls.
• Adjustments to existing features.
• Installation of new clay paver bricks, concrete sidewalks, fieldstone wall veneers, railings, and wall reinforcements.

CITY ICE SKATING RINKS OPEN

The Parks and Recreation Division has been working hard on the public ice skating rinks in the City are open! . The rinks are available for public use at no charge.

Rink Locations

• 14th and Pine Street (Thirlby Field)  
• State Street between Railroad and Hope (F&M Park)

Rink Hours

Please note that the lights turn off at 9 pm. Enjoy a true northern Michigan tradition in the City!

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 31st.

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.

CDBG FUNDS APPROVED FOR HOUSING INITIATIVES

The City is advancing housing and community development initiatives through its designation as a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement community. This status provides annual funding to support housing, infrastructure, and services for low-to-moderate income individuals. For 2024/2025, the City anticipates receiving $365,323 in CDBG funding.

Guided by a Five-Year Consolidated Plan (2024-2029), the City has identified key priorities: enhancing affordable housing, supporting unhoused populations, and ensuring effective program administration.

Funding Allocations for 2024/2025

At its January 21, 2025 meeting, the City Commission approved funding for the following projects:

• Goodwill Northern Michigan - $69,725 for HVAC/Bike racks at East Bay Flats
• Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing - $65,787 for boiler, water heater, roof replacements at Three Mile Road four-plex
• Central United Methodist Church Outreach Program - $50,000 for director/kitchen/janitorial/security staffing services
• Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse, Inc. - $100,000 for parking lot paving and other improvements including generator

VETERANS FOR PEACE MONUMENT

At their January 21, 2025, meeting, the Traverse City Commission approved in concept a proposal from Veterans for Peace to create a Peace Monument in a City park. The monument aims to honor local and global peacemakers, reflect the city’s status as an International City of Peace, and provide a space for reflection, gathering, and promoting peace initiatives.

Key goals of the monument include fostering a culture of peace, networking local peace groups, providing educational resources, recognizing individuals advancing peace, and encouraging respectful dialogue within the community.

Previously described as a wall, the structure will be a monument that is not a wall, and symbolize the mission of Traverse City as an International City of Peace. Veterans for Peace had requested variances to the City’s monument policy, including size limits and the requirement that individuals recognized must be deceased for at least two years. The Parks and Recreation Commission approved these requests on January 10, 2025, with the condition that the final design and location receive their approval once fundraising on behalf of the Veterans for Peace, and design are complete.

The approval of the monument was in concept. Placement, size, and design will be finalized at a later date.

SEASONAL SNOW REMOVAL

PRIORITIZATION & HOW YOU CAN HELP

The City's Streets Division is responsible for plowing public streets and alleys. Safety routes are prioritized—these are the main roads and critical areas that need to stay open for emergency access. The MDOT trunklines and emergency routes receive first priority for clearing snow in the morning and are continually plowed throughout the day if snow continues to accumulate. City crews then move on to major and local streets, and finally alleys.

Keep Your Sidewalk Accessible for Everyone

During winter, the City reminds residents and business owners that they are responsible by ordinance for the removal of any snow and ice that accumulates on the sidewalks immediately adjacent to their property. The City also encourages residents to help neighbors and relatives who have difficulty removing snow from their sidewalks.

City Sidewalk Snow Plowing

The City provides a supplemental snow plowing program for sidewalks. Sidewalks are prioritized near routes to schools and to provide access to City buildings. The City starts with sidewalks along main roadways and safety routes, then moves into residential areas when time and staffing allow.

Downtown Sidewalk Snow Removal

If snow accumulates over 3 inches overnight, the City's contractor clears the sidewalks of snow early in the morning in the Downtown commercial area. This process is conducted only in the early morning hours when sidewalks are clear of pedestrians. Sidewalks are not cleared by the contractor throughout the day. If snow continues to accumulate throughout the day after being cleared in the morning, property owners are responsible for shoveling their storefront sidewalks as needed.

Snow Removal Reminder for Residents, Businesses, and Contractors

When clearing snow with a shovel, plow, or snowblower, please avoid pushing or placing snow into the street or alley. This creates unnecessary snow piles, increases the workload for City crews, and can result in large accumulations being pushed into other areas, potentially causing safety hazards. Instead, snow should be placed on the tree lawn, your personal property, or, for those in the Downtown area, around street trees.

Let’s work together to keep our community walkable, welcoming, and safe for everyone this winter!

IN THE COMMUNITY

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Thank you to the community members who participated in the Strategic Planning Community Roundtable Session this week! The purpose of the session was to identify the key strategic focus areas that will support the preferred future for the City of Traverse City.