OWN A PIECE OF CITY HISTORY

FORMER CITY PARK SIGNS GO UP FOR AUCTION

The City is giving residents and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own a piece of local history. Former signage from the City's parks is now up for auction. These signs, which once marked community spaces, are not just functional items but also nostalgic symbols of the City. Whether you're a collector, a fan of the City's heritage, or looking for a distinctive decor piece, these signs are a perfect way to commemorate your love for the City!

New Park Signage

This year, a brand-new signage system was installed across the City’s 30+ parks. The diverse range of signage types, tailored in size and design to complement each park's unique landscape include park identification monuments, information kiosks, guide signs, trail markers, and regulatory markers. The consistency of the new package allows the Parks and Recreation Division to have a level of cohesion to better educate the public on park rules, wayfinding information, and environmental education.

Auction Details

The park signage auction is now live and open for bidding through December 5, 2024.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

ODOR MITIGATION

The City and its partner, Jacobs, are pleased to inform the community about ongoing efforts to address and mitigate the odors emanating from the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Feedback and input are valued as we remain dedicated to ensuring a pleasant living environment for all.

Despite minimal odor complaints over the years, we recognize that this could stem from either a lack of knowledge on how to submit a complaint or the public’s acceptance of the situation as normal. However, the team takes odors seriously, particularly given the facility’s central location within the community and its long-term presence. It is imperative to ensure the best experience for all residents.

Next Steps

The City is currently in the process of designing significant upgrades to the headworks portion of the plant, with construction slated for 2025. These upgrades are focused on the area’s most prone to unpleasant odors and will play a role in mitigating them.

Additionally, the City has been planning an extensive odor control study to further understand and improve odor control. This study, scheduled for early 2025, will analyze our current system, identify odor sources, assess their community impact, and determine the most cost-effective solutions to mitigate these odors. Community engagement will be a vital component of this process, and we will encourage residents to participate actively when called upon. 

Our commitment to improving the living environment remains steady, and we believe these measures will enhance air quality around the facility. We appreciate the public's patience during this process and look forward to collaborating with the community to achieve our objectives.

FULL CIRCLE

THE CITY'S HOLIDAY TREE JOURNEY

For decades, crew members of the Parks & Recreation Division have been dedicated to seeking out, caretaking, and stringing the lights on the holiday tree that proudly stands at the intersection of Cass and E. Front Streets.

Matt Bright, our Parks & Recreation Division Supervisor and City Arborist, carefully selects the perfect tree each year. This year’s star is a stunning 40-foot white fir, tipping the scales at an impressive 6,000 pounds! What a beauty!

Fun Fact

Every year, community members contact the City about trees that need to come down for various reasons. In exchange, these trees get a second life as the centerpiece of Downtown TC’s holiday season! The City’s Parks & Recreation Division teams up with Team Elmers to remove the tree and carefully place it Downtown. Once the holidays wrap up, the tree is chipped and composted at our Keystone facility—where it eventually returns to nourish our 30+ City parks. Talk about a full-circle moment!

Don’t miss the magic! Come see this year’s tree illuminated by 3,500 dazzling lights at the Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony and Light Parade this Saturday!

LIGHT PARADE STREET CLOSURES

NOVEMBER 23RD

Downtown Traverse City will welcome Santa to light the tree and host the Light Parade this Saturday, November 23, 2024. To ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment, vehicular traffic will be prohibited in the street closure areas starting at 3:30 pm. However, Downtown will remain accessible via Grandview Parkway and Eighth Street. Convenient parking is available at the Hardy Parking Structure, which can be accessed from State Street, and at the Old Town Parking Structure located on Eighth Street. 

LEAF PICKUP PROGRESS UPDATE

City crews kicked off the third pass through the City this week.

Progress updates will be announced via social media and will also be available on the interactive map on the City's Leaf Pickup webpage.

While crews may clean streets outside the scheduled zone to finish up the day, if they are not officially picking up in that zone, they will return at the appropriate time.

RESTROOM DEMOLITION CONTINUES

This week, the City began demolition of the West End Restrooms. Work activities are anticipated to conclude on Friday, November 22, 2024. While crews work on the demolition project, pedestrians and bicyclists will be detoured to the High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal crossing at the Elmwood Street/Grandview Parkway intersection and the signalized crossing at the Division Street/Grandview Parkway intersection. In addition, the West End Beach Parking Lot will be closed.



New restrooms will be constructed at West End Beach and the Volleyball Courts in spring 2025.

HICKORY HILLS SEASON PASSES

The City is gearing up for the winter season at Hickory Hills! Season passes for Hickory Hills are now on sale. Alpine season pass holders may also use Nordic trails at no additional charge.

The City's new software will offer more options to make your adventurous days at Hickory easier than ever. Waivers may be completed ahead of time, money can be added to pass holder accounts for use on anything at Hickory (think snacks and merch!), and day passes may now be purchased online from the comfort of home.

ASK THE CITY

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED ANSWER

“Ask the City” allows residents to submit questions to City staff and receive personalized video responses. Once a resident’s question is answered, they will be notified via email, ensuring quick and clear communication. This platform gives every community member a direct line to City employees, creating an open forum for dialogue and making it easier than ever to engage with the City.

This program will be implemented as a three-month pilot project, after which its effectiveness will be evaluated to determine its continuation based on community interest. Residents are encouraged to take part in the conversation and explore the new platform. Additionally, a button labeled “Ask the City” on the City’s homepage will link directly to the platform. 

What is the latest update on the FishPass Project?

IN THE COMMUNITY

TART BAYFRONT TRAIL RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATION

Thank you to the community members who celebrated with the City to commemorate trail improvements along bayfront.