CITY LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN MAP

A VISUAL EXPERIENCE FOR FUTURE PLANNING

As the City begins its annual Capital Improvements Planning process, an interactive map has been launched to better engage with citizens about upcoming infrastructure improvements being planned within the City of Traverse City.

A Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) serves as a planning document and contains all the individual capital projects, equipment purchases, and major studies for a local government; in conjunction with construction and completion schedules, and in consort with financing plans. The CIP document contains 6 years of projects with projected costs and financing and works as a blueprint for sustaining and improving the community’s infrastructures. It coordinates strategic planning, financial capacity, and physical development.

The CIP is a “living document” for capital and operating budgets. Projects and timelines may shift due to financing and the need to synchronize with other projects. The CIP is also important because it puts the City in a position to quickly take advantage of federal or state grant programs and opportunities. The Planning Department administers the CIP by working with all City Departments on project submissions and coordinating reports.

The application provides a visual and interactive experience for end users to view CIP projects geographically as well as view information that is found in the CIP Report. Filters may be used to view projects by fiscal year, department, or by selecting a specific project. By clicking on the project extent on the map, a pop-up window will provide the detailed information. The map also contains a metrics tab that provides an additional breakdown of projects and is responsive to the filters.

The CIP was introduced to the Planning Commission at their Tuesday, February 7, 2023 meeting. The Planning Commission scheduled a public hearing for the CIP on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

JEFFERSON & MADISON BEGINS

The Madison & Jefferson Reconstruction Project will initiate on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 with tree removal along Jefferson Avenue and Madison Street to prepare for construction this spring. In addition to preparation for construction, the removal is essential to be completed in the winter months to adhere to environmental guidelines to prevent the spread of oak wilt. In 2011, the City passed a local ordinance that prohibits pruning oak trees from April through November to protect oak trees and prevent oak wilt disease.

Upon completion of the project, the City will maintain the urban tree canopy with the inclusion of 27 street trees within the project scope to fill in areas where street trees would be most appropriate to provide for the Formal Residential Character identified in the current Master Plan. Tree removal is anticipated to be completed by March 3, 2023.

CITY

ACADEMY

The City of Traverse City has launched a new program, City Academy! The program’s purpose is to inspire citizens to be informed about the issues surrounding city government and how it functions in order to contribute in the most meaningful way. Do you ever wonder why a specific street was chosen to be reconstructed, how our drinking water is kept safe, or who to call when a tree branch needs maintenance? Learn all of that and a whole lot more at City Academy!

Applications for City Academy are available February 1, 2023 – February 28, 2023. Program participants should represent an ecosystem that blends well and be a wide representation of the entire City. No more than 15 participants will be chosen for the 2023 City Academy. City residents will be considered first for acceptance into the program.

THE PERFORMANCE 2022

The City has released its 2022 annual report, The Performance, which provides insight into major accomplishments and significant projects completed during the past year. Throughout the report many achievements for the City are highlighted, among many other topics.

This Week's Features

In 2022, over $3,000,000 in investments was dedicated to maintain and improve the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the sewer collection system and the Water Treatment Plant and water distribution system.

In addition, as the City continues to focus on the improvement of water systems, five year project plans for drinking and clean water (wastewater) have been developed that prioritize project investments of approximately $48 million. Infrastructure improvements and addressing inflow & infiltration (I&I) are included in the project scope.

TART IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION PROJECT

COMMUNITY UPDATE AND INPUT SESSSIONS: FEBRUARY 15th & 16TH

The City, in partnership with Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART)

Trails, and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), will be introducing concepts to improve and extend the regional trail network that runs throughout the community.

The TART Improvement and Extension project is located between West End Beach and the intersection of Peninsula Drive/US 37 and Eastern Avenue. The plan elevates the existing TART Trails Network by enhancing the functionality and enjoyment of the Trail as well as extending its reach along Peninsula Drive from East Front Street to Eastern Avenue.

The project is in support of multimodal efforts that aim to provide a more connected and safe trail network. The capacity limitations of the current non-motorized facility results in periods of congestion and user conflicts. To address this, the concept plan proposes expanding the trail width to 16 feet, with 10 feet dedicated to bi-directional bicycle use, and six feet dedicated to pedestrian use. The added width will address the capacity limitations and marking the pavement to separate pedestrians and bicyclists will address user conflicts by creating space for the modes which operate at different speeds.

A community update and input sessions based on initial design concepts is being presented at virtual workshops in February and March.

February Engagement Sessions

Virtual Session:

Focusing on Downtown and Peninsula Sections

February 15: 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Link Here (need from Progressive AE)

In Person Sessions:

Downtown Section Focus

February 16: 3:00 – 4:30 pm

Governmental Center, Training Room

400 Boardman Avenue

Base of Peninsula Section Focus

February 16: 6:00 – 7:30 pm

NMC Innovation Center & Library (Formerly West Hall)

1720 College Drive

JOIN THE ADVENTURE!

SEASONAL HICKORY HILLS AVAILABLE