SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ON PENINSULA DRIVE

SPEED TABLES INSTALLED

On Thursday, August 20, 2026, City crews installed speed tables along Peninsula Drive as part of an effort to improve safety along the residential street and near heavily visited Bryant Park.

The speed tables were installed in response to resident concerns and to traffic data showing consistent speeding along the corridor. A speed table is a raised section of roadway designed to slow vehicle traffic. Unlike a traditional speed bump, a speed table has a longer, flat surface with gradual ramps on each side, allowing vehicles to travel over it more smoothly while encouraging drivers to reduce their speed.

The installation is being implemented as a trial to evaluate whether the speed tables are effective in reducing vehicle speeds and improving safety for residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, and park visitors.

The City will monitor traffic speeds and conditions during the trial period. The speed tables are temporary and will be removed prior to the winter season to accommodate snow removal operations.

PARKING UPDATES

CHANGES TO SURFACE LOTS AND RANDOLPH STREET

Several changes to public parking have recently taken effect in and around downtown Traverse City. As construction projects move forward and parking agreements change, residents, employees, businesses, and visitors are encouraged to be aware of current parking options.

Surface Parking Lot Changes

Two downtown surface lots have recently changed:

• Lot B is closed to accommodate construction of the new Farmers Market Pavilion. The lot will remain unavailable during construction, which is anticipated to continue through spring 2027.
• Public parking is no longer available in Lot W, located just north of State Street. The City's lease for the property has ended, and the former metered spaces are no longer part of the City's public parking system.

With fewer surface parking spaces available, downtown employees, residents, and visitors are encouraged to make greater use of the Hardy Parking Structure and Old Town Parking Structure. Both provide convenient access to downtown destinations and are a reliable alternative to searching for limited surface and on-street parking.

Randolph Street Metered Parking

New metered parking was installed this past week on the 700 block of Randolph Street, from Division Street west to Cedar Street, following review by the City's Traffic Committee.

The change is intended to encourage parking turnover, reduce long-term parking, and increase space availability for nearby businesses, customers, residents, and visitors. The new metered zone does not include physical pay stations; payment is available through the ParkMobile app or by credit card by calling the City's Parking Services Office.

The change is being implemented as a 90-day trial, after which the Traffic Committee will evaluate its effectiveness before considering whether to recommend making it permanent.

INFRASTRUCTURE BELOW THE SURFACE

FARMERS MARKET PROJECT

Work continues on the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market Pavilion project in Lot B, where crews are currently installing new stormwater infrastructure as part of the reconstruction of the site.

While the new pavilion will be the most visible part of the completed project, significant investment is also occurring below the surface. The project includes reconstruction of the parking lot and improvements to stormwater infrastructure to better manage runoff and support the long-term function of the site.

The Farmers Market Pavilion project is being funded with TIF 97 dollars, with the City's Parking Fund contributing $1 million toward the parking lot reconstruction and stormwater infrastructure improvements.

The project is an example of how infrastructure investments are being incorporated alongside improvements to public spaces, addressing essential needs below ground while creating a more accessible and functional Farmers Market space above ground.

PROJECT UPDATES

COMPLETE, ACTIVE, AND UPCOMING

Cape Seal Preparation: Active

City crews will be working in various locations throughout the coming weeks to prepare roadways and asphalt surfaces for the 2026 Cape Seal pavement preservation program.

Farmers Market Project: Active

Construction is underway on the new Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market Pavilion. Parking Lot B is closed for the duration of the project, which includes construction of a modern, accessible covered pavilion, reconstruction of the parking lot, upgraded drainage and stormwater infrastructure, enhanced landscaping, and parking improvements to better serve the market and surrounding riverfront. The project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2027.

FishPass: Active - Completion of Phase 2 Underway

Phase 2 of the FishPass project—the in-water (“wet”) construction—is nearing completion, with the fish-sorting channel substantially complete and work now focused on removing the temporary sheet pile cofferdam. Beginning this past week, vibratory hammer activities began to remove the remaining sheet pile and are anticipated to continue through September. As the project transitions to upland (“dry”) work, upcoming activities will include tree pruning and planned tree removals to prepare for landscaping and ADA accessibility improvements.

Eleventh Street Culvert/Kids Creek Restoration Project: Active

Construction continues onsite for the Kids Creek Restoration Project. The new culvert was recently placed and is a significant investment in the health of Kids Creek. Replacing the undersized crossing will improve water flow, restore aquatic habitat, enhance fish passage, and reduce flooding impacts, all while supporting ongoing efforts to remove Kids Creek from Michigan's Impaired Waters List.

To accommodate construction, the 700 and 900 blocks of Eleventh Street between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street are closed. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are encouraged to follow posted detours. The project is anticipated to be substantially completed by October 1, 2026. This work continues a long-standing regional partnership focused on restoring the health and function of the Kids Creek watershed.

Monroe Street Reconstruction: Active - Phase 3 Begins

Phase 3 of the Monroe Street Reconstruction project will kick off on Monday, August 24, with Monroe Street closing from Randolph Street to West Front Street. Work will include sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, curb and gutter, pavement, sidewalks, and related improvements, with intermittent impacts expected at the Randolph and West Front intersections. This final phase of reconstruction is anticipated to be completed and reopened to traffic on or around October 30, 2026, weather permitting.



Projects Completed

Pavement Marking Project

Oak Street Mill and Fill (Seventh Street and W. Thirteenth Street)

Seventh Street Mill and Fill (S. Elmwood Ave. and S. Division Street)

Elmwood Mill and Fill (W. Front Street and W. Eleventh Street)

Washington Street Resurface (Rose Street to Prospect Street)

Cass Street Crosswalk (E. State Street and E. Front Street)



Looking Ahead

Crack Sealing (anticipated to begin September 8)

Cape Sealing (anticipated to begin early September 8)

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF AUGUST 24

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 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.

Week of August 24 Locations

The week of August 24, 2026, work will be conducted on the 800, 900, 1000, and 1200 block of Hannah, the 700 block of Fern, the 600 block of Rose, the 500 block of Bates, and the 500 block of Wellington. This work will cause lane closures and lane shifts. Additionally, the work will cause sidewalk closures.

PUBLIC BEACH

MONITORING & TESTING

The Environmental Health Division of the Grand Traverse County Health Department works closely with the City of Traverse City, Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, and the Traverse City State Park to ensure the health and safety of several public beaches in Grand Traverse County.

The Watershed Center administers grants from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to sample surface water from swim areas of the beaches. The water samples are analyzed for E. coli, a relatively harmless organism that may indicate the possible presence of harmful pathogenic microorganisms.

The Beach Monitoring Dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays. If any beaches report a "Level 2" or higher, those specific beaches will then be resampled. Resample results will be available and published 24 hours later.

On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, water sampling classified East Bay Park beach under a Level 2 Advisory, recommending partial-body contact only. East Bay Park has been resampled and results will be issued on Friday, August 21, 2026. All other beaches were classified as Level 1 and are considered safe for full-body contact.

THANK YOU INTERNS

Big ideas start with great mentorship, and even better interns! Having City Leadership, Department Heads, and Supervisors all in one room to celebrate our IT, Civil Engineering, and Planning interns was a great way to cap off the season. Over the past few months, they brought energy and valuable contributions to the projects shaping our community's future.

To our interns: thank you for your hard work, continued professional development, and curiosity. We cannot wait to see the impact you continue to make in your careers!

DRONE CERTIFICATION

KUDOS TO MITCH TORKELSON

Congrats to Mitch Torkelson, GIS & IT Support Specialist, on recently passing his FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam and is now a licensed drone (UAS) pilot. The City continues to grow its UAS program across the organization and leverage this cutting edge technology for City operations and communications.