STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN PROJECT

COMMUNITY-DRIVEN STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

The City is embarking on a community driven Strategic Action Plan, looking out to 2030, designed to build on the City’s current success and chart a sustainable course for the future. This community-driven initiative will run from October 2024 through May 2025, with the goal of producing a robust, comprehensive and sustainable Strategic Action Plan that will guide City programs and investments over the coming years. 

The Strategic Action Planning process will be inclusive, transparent, and forward-looking, with extensive research and community engagement that focuses on the community of Traverse City. This research and engagement will identify the current and future needs, as well as exploring the potential future of the City, looking out to 2030.

Key Elements of the Strategic Action Planning Process 

The planning process will involve extensive research, data collection, and community engagement, with a special focus on identifying both current and future needs. As part of the initiative, the City will prioritize collaboration with residents and community collaborators to define its long-term vision.

The Strategic Action Plan process will focus on community engagement through the following activities:

• Communication strategies to inform the community 
• Community Partner Interviews
• Traverse City Future Think-Tank Workshop and Report 
• Community Surveys 
• Strategic Pillar stakeholder Roundtable Session
• Focus Groups with specified community groups to build out the Strategic Pillars
• Production of the Community Dashboard/Balanced Scorecard
• Production of the final Traverse City Strategic Action Plan

The City of Traverse City has contracted with Future iQ to facilitate the development of the plan. 

Timeline and Next Steps

The planning process will take place over eight months, beginning in October 2024 and concluding in May 2025 with the finalization of the Traverse City Strategic Action Plan. Key milestones will include the release of a Situational Assessment Report and a Traverse City Think-Tank Report that will inform the final plan.

Think Tank Workshops

The public is invited to participate in the Think-Tank workshops, held over two sessions to explore emerging macro trends, key drivers shaping the future of the city and craft a series of plausible future scenarios.

Governmental Center (Lower Level Cafeteria)

400 Boardman Avenue

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

9 am to Noon

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

5 pm to 8 pm

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT - WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16TH

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 April 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in October 2024.

The week of September 16th, the project will continue on the 1,300 block of Veterans Drive, the 400, 500, and 600 blocks of E. Eighth, the 100 and 400 blocks of Seventh, and the 300 block of Wadsworth. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.

SAFE HARBOR

EMERGENCY SHELTER

UPDATE

City Commission members have scheduled a presentation for their September 16, 2024, meeting to receive an update on Safe Harbor’s potential plan for operating a year-round emergency shelter at its current location, for a transitional period. Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation President David Mengebier and Rotary Charities CEO Sakura Takano will share insights on The Homelessness Collective's efforts. Police Chief Matt Richmond will also discuss a safety plan for both the neighborhood and unhoused individuals, while Safe Harbor will outline its proposal for operating as a year-round shelter.

Since early spring 2024, these organizations have convened the Homelessness Collective, bringing together community stakeholders, neighborhood representatives, the Traverse City Police Department, the City's social worker, and more, to address the housing crisis, particularly focusing on the Pines, where up to 120 unsheltered individuals reside. In addition, the initiative is focused on creating a new framework that actively involves individuals experiencing homelessness in the discussions to develop effective solutions.

COMPOST & FOOD WASTE PROJECT RIBBON CUTTING

The City is excited to announce the launch of its Compost and Food Waste Reduction project, supported by a $255,396 USDA grant. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on September 19th at 3:30 PM at the Department of Public Services (DPS) facility, 625 Woodmere Avenue.

The project includes a new 20-yard in-vessel composting unit capable of processing 100 tons of food waste annually, helping to expand organic material pickups for residents and businesses. In partnership with SEEDS and Carter's Compost, the initiative supports the City’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reaching its carbon-neutral target. Join us to learn more and see a live demonstration!

PARKING

PAY BY PHONE

OPTION IS LIVE

A new and efficient payment option is on deck at both the Hardy and Old Town Parking Garages. With PARCS POP, parking customers can scan a QR code on their ticket using their smartphone. This takes them to a secure payment page to enter their credit card information. After payment, they can use the original ticket or their phone receipt to exit. Transient tickets now include instructions for using this convenient QR code payment option!

Please note that a processing fee applies for using this service. If you prefer to avoid the fee, credit cards are still accepted at pay-on-foot stations or pay-in-lane machines.

RAILROAD AVENUE PROJECT - PEDESTRIAN DETOUR

The Railroad Avenue Project between the Railroad/Boyd Avenue intersection (adjacent to TART trail crossing at Woodmere) north to curve into Station Street began on September 9, 2024, and includes storm drainage installation, street reconstruction, and paving.

During construction, Railroad Avenue, south of Station Street, will be closed to all traffic. Additionally, the TART Trail west of Woodmere Avenue will be closed, and pedestrians and cyclists will be rerouted via Franklin, Eighth, and Woodmere.

The work is anticipated to be completed by September 27, 2024, weather permitting.

MDOT PROJECT UPDATES

UNION STREET INTERSECTION CLOSURE

Temporary traffic control measures during the MDOT Project deviate from the usual traffic controls. Your cooperation and diligence are essential for ensuring the safety of yourself, pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow motorists during this period of construction. We urge all drivers to exercise caution, yield to pedestrians, and remain vigilant while navigating the MDOT Grandview Parkway Project.

This Week's Progress & What's Next

This week, crews continued work on Segment 2, Stage 2, which included storm sewer and watermain installation, subbase CIP, and aggregate base placement between Division and Oak Streets, as well as concrete work for the Cass Road bridge approach and miscellaneous electrical tasks.

Next week, crews will continue installing storm sewers and watermains, along with grading between POB and Union Streets. Concrete curb and gutter installation will take place between Front/Cass and POB/Oak, while miscellaneous electrical work will also progress throughout the week.

Parking Lot, Marina Access, & Street Closures

During the remainder of Segment 2, the RB Parking Lot and West End Parking Lot will be closed. In addition, the West End Beach Restrooms are closed.

Traffic will shift to access the Marina at Marina Drive on Friday, September 13th and will be intermittently routed to the marina entrance on an as needed basis throughout the next week for the installation of the storm sewer that crosses these two intersections.

The Union Street intersection, south to Garland Street, is expected to close for watermain work activities on Monday, September 16th - Friday, September 20th.

Front Street/Grandview Parkway Intersection Closure

Front Street continues to be closed on the west side of Franklin Street. Turns at the US-31/Front Street intersection will still be restricted until next week. After that, drivers will be able to turn from US-31 onto Front Street. However, turns from Front Street onto US-31 will be restricted until Segment 2 is completed and all lanes are open.

Pedestrian Detours: TART Closed at Murchie

The Clinch Park Tunnel will be the alternate pedestrian crossing during construction.

The TART is closed just east of the Murchie Bridge to Cass Street. When utilizing the Murchie Bridge underpass, the trail is only accessible to travel east.

While crews are working on the Grandview Parkway/Front Street intersection portion of Segment 2, pedestrians will be detoured across Front Street and Grandview Parkway at the Barlow Street signalized crossing.

While crews are working on the Division Street/Grandview Parkway intersection, pedestrians 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/East Front Street intersection.

Additional Improvements

In addition to rebuilding the roadway, this project will include replacing concrete curb and gutter, upgrading sidewalk and ramps, improving storm sewer, and repairing the Murchie Bridge over the Boardman/Ottaway River.

During this project, the City has planned utility infrastructure improvements to coincide with the project, investing $3.2 million to replace underground water and wastewater utilities.

Businesses Open

Anticipate that the construction will affect businesses, particularly those situated along the construction zone. However, it's important to note that our local businesses will continue to operate, and by demonstrating patience, you can actively support them throughout this period of disruption.