BROWN BRIDGE TRUST FUND BALLOT PROPOSAL

PROJECT LIST

On May 19, 2025, the City Commission approved ballot language for November asking voters to allow up to $3 million from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund (2025–2030) for park capital improvements, accessibility upgrades, and land acquisition. Any unused funds by November 5, 2030, will return to the Trust Fund.

The Brown Bridge Trust Fund Ad Hoc Committee met regularly to guide the development of ballot language and a proposed project list. The Committee focused on identifying projects through a transparent, public-driven process. Community input played a central role in shaping the proposed project list. An initial open-ended survey was conducted in winter 2025 to gather broad ideas and priorities. Building on those results, a second survey in July 2025 focused on specific themes of access, improvements, and land acquisition. In August 2025, a prioritization survey was distributed to help refine the community’s preferences.

At its September 15, 2025 meeting, the City Commission also approved a project list. Should voters approve the ballot proposal, this list will guide how funds are invested.

Project List

Investments (listed in random order, and not necessarily order of priority)

1. West Bay Lake Shore Stabilization: beach access, water quality, erosion
2. Brown Bridge Quiet Area: Trail and trailhead development for recent land acquisition
3. Hickory Hills Mountain Bike Trail Design & Development
4. Park Essentials: Waste receptacles, picnic tables, benches
5. Park Experiences: Playground equipment, sport amenities, interactive features, pavilions, pedestrian scale lighting
6. Trees: Increased canopy and shade in parks
7. Pickleball & Tennis Court Reconstruction at Slabtown Corners

Access (listed in random order, and not necessarily order of priority)

1. Boardman Lake Loop Trail Access
2. Bryant Park Access: Improved pedestrian and bicycle access
3. ADA Access Improvements

The Five-Year Parks & Recreation Master Plan, currently undergoing an update, will further inform the details of the proposed projects. As with prior projects that were supported through the Brown Bridge Trust Fund, the scale of investments may depend upon securing additional funding and/or partnerships. 

AIR QUALITY CONCERNS

CITY WORKING WITH SARA LEE

The City has recently received questions from residents about changes in air quality in the community, particularly around the Boardman and Fernwood neighborhoods. While these concerns were initially thought to be connected to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, the source has been identified as Sara Lee Frozen Bakery’s on-site wastewater pre-treatment facility, which is located near Boardman Lake in Garfield Township, just outside of the City.

Sara Lee experienced a process-related change within its on-site treatment system in recent weeks. While treatment has continued throughout, this change created conditions that contributed to the recent concerns. Once identified, the company began implementing adjustments to return the system to its normal operating balance.

Although the facility is outside the City’s boundaries, we understand the effect this has had on our residents. To support a timely resolution, the City will provide biological solids from our treatment system to help reseed and stabilize Sara Lee’s facility—a standard and effective practice in the wastewater field that the City has successfully used to assist other facilities in the past. The City, as the Control Authority, regulates its industrial users through enforcement of the Sewer Use Ordinance and will continue to monitor discharges from this industry and ensure compliance with their discharge permit as needed.

We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding. The City remains committed to protecting air quality for our residents and is actively supporting our neighbors at Sara Lee as they work through this issue and complete their corrective actions in the coming weeks.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATES

TWELFTH STREET RECONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN AND ELEVENTH STREET EXTENDED

The City’s 2025 Road Reconstruction Projects are fully underway, with the last of the five streets to begin reconstruction next week. This work will cause disruptions to pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic. Appropriate signage will be in place for the detour, and access to all homes and businesses will be maintained at all times. 

Following are updates on current projects.

Eleventh Street Reconstruction Extended to September 26, 2026

Paving activities are expected to begin the week of September 22, 2025. The project is now anticipated to be substantially completed by Friday, September 26, 2025, weather permitting. During paving activities, there will be intermittent closures at Union and Eleventh Street and Cass and Eleventh Street. Proper barricades and signage will be in place to ensure safety and provide clear directions.

Fourteenth Street Mill & Pave Anticipated to be Completed September 25, 2025

The Streets Division is working to complete paving activities in the next few days along Fourteenth Street. The project will be completed by Thursday, September 25, 2025, weather permitting. Fourteenth was closed to eastbound traffic from Maple Street to Veterans Drive this past week and crews have been working block by block from Maple Street.

Crack Sealing Project

Crack Sealing began this week. Crack sealing is preventative maintenance that seals pavement cracks to block water and debris, helping extend roadway life and avoid costly repairs. The project is anticipated to be completed Friday, October 3, 2025, weather permitting.

Veterans Drive Sidewalk Work Begins September 22, 2025

Beginning Monday, September 22, 2025, sidewalk work will be conducted on the south side of Sixteenth Street and on Veterans Drive. The project will involve the removal and replacement of approximately 200 feet of sidewalk on the west side of Veterans Drive, north of Boughey Street. The work is anticipated to be completed on Friday, September 26, 2025, weather permitting. During work, the east-west ramp will be closed at Boughey Street. The sidewalk will be closed on Veterans Drive, south of the Tides apartments.

Twelfth Street Reconstruction Anticipated Begins September 24, 2025

Twelfth Street reconstruction between Union and Cass Streets is anticipated to begin on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 and be completed Friday, November 14, 2025, weather permitting. 

Work activities include:

• Full reconstruction including new curbs, asphalt, bioswales, and two hydrant replacements
• Utility Upgrades: Improving sanitary sewer, watermain, and storm sewer utilities
• No parking on a section of E. Twelfth Street during certain times and provides for two-hour parking during certain times for weekdays

During the project, Twelfth Street will be closed between Union and Cass Streets. Streets. Sidewalks within the construction area will also be closed. Intermittent closures of the sidewalk intersections at Cass and Union will occur, but not simultaneously. Access to driveways and nearby side streets will be maintained as much as possible; however, some temporary restrictions may be necessary during specific construction activities. Proper barricades and signage will be in place to ensure safety and provide clear directions.

MURAL FESTIVAL CONCLUDES

SEVEN MURALS ALONG THE NORTH BOARDMAN LAKE DISTRICT

Congratulations to the Traverse City Arts Commission, the DDA staff, and the dedicated artists for successfully hosting Traverse City's first Mural Festival this past week. The weeklong celebration of public art has transformed the North Boardman Lake District into a corridor of color, creativity, and community.

The Artists & Locations

• Oryana: Nik Burkhart (Maple City)
• The Filling Station: Jamie John (Traverse City)
• EB2 Vintage: Dania Grevengoed (Grand Rapids)
• Bay Family Vision Care: Dania Grevengoed (Grand Rapids)
• Silver Spruce Brewing: Eddie Chaffer aka Son Visual (Grand Rapids)
• The Copy Shop: Daisuke Okamoto (Los Angeles, CA)
• The Box Building: Dominic Laporte & Anaïs Labreque aka Drift Mural Co. (Ottawa, Ontario)

PUBLIC SURPLUS AUCTION

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19TH

The City is auctioning off a variety of vehicles, trailers, and equipment on a public surplus platform, providing an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and enthusiasts to acquire quality assets at competitive prices while efficiently repurposing the City's used resources.

Check it out now through September 19, 2025 at 2 pm.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22ND

Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) designates galvanized water services as lead service lines if they "are or ever were" connected to a lead gooseneck, requiring utilities to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop to the building. Lead goosenecks, installed before the mid-1940s, are 3-foot lead pipes used between the brass connection to the water main and a galvanized pipe.

The City has since installed copper services and has no known fully lead service lines. Not all private galvanized lines need replacement; those originally connected to City-owned copper services don't require replacement. The water service line replacement project started in May 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2025.

Week of September 22nd Locations

The week of September 22nd, the project will be conducted on the 100 and 200 blocks of E. Tenth Street and the 700 block of Cass Street. The work will result in flag control and sidewalk closures.

DTE INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES - BOARDMAN AVENUE UPDATE

To help ensure continued safe and reliable natural gas delivery to the community, DTE Gas crews have been upgrading pipes along Boardman Avenue between Front and Eighth Streets, with the majority of work between Webster and State Streets.

Work began last week resulting in sections of sidewalk along the east side of Boardman Avenue being closed, with areas blocked off with snow fencing, cones and caution tape. No streets or alleys will be closed and traffic will not be disrupted.

Pedestrians should avoid marked areas and use the west side sidewalks only, while this work is ongoing.

This past week, crews began restoring sidewalk sections. The restoration of grassy areas and landscaping will immediately follow the sidewalk repairs. All of the gas line work and sidewalk repairs are scheduled to be completed by early October. 

FIVE YEAR PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN SURVEY

The City is updating its Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This plan will help guide the City as it develops and improves its parks and recreation system over the next five years.

The City’s current plan is set to expire at the end of 2025. In order to remain eligible for grant opportunities, an approved five-year plan must be submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by February 1, 2026.

Parks & Recreation Master Plan Survey

Input is being sought for parks and recreation priorities over the next five years. This survey will take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY APPLICATION & SURVEY

The City has submitted an application to the League of American Bicyclists to be recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC). This designation reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to promoting safe, accessible, and enjoyable biking for all residents and visitors.

As part of the review process, the League is conducting a national survey to gather input from people who bike, or want to bike, in communities that applied for the 2025 program.

Your feedback will help both the League and the City better understand current bicycling conditions and identify opportunities for improvement.

IN THE COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEER FAIR

This past week, team members from Human Resources and the City Clerk's Office partnered with United Way and the Traverse Area District Library to participate in a Volunteer Fair. The event connected community members with local organizations, highlighting opportunities to give back and get involved.