TWO WAY TRAFFIC DISCUSSION

RETURNS TO CITY COMMISSION

The future of the State Street, Boardman Avenue, and Pine Street two-way traffic configuration will return to the City Commission for consideration at their Monday, July 20, 2026 meeting.

The current configuration began as a pilot project initiated by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to evaluate the impacts of converting State Street from one-way to two-way traffic. Since implementation, the project has been evaluated through traffic studies, safety analyses, operational reviews, and community feedback.

At its February 2026 meeting, the City Commission reviewed the pilot findings and requested additional information before making a long-term decision. Specifically, the Commission requested cost estimates for both restoring one-way traffic operations and maintaining the existing two-way configuration. The Commission also asked the City's newly established Complete Streets Advisory Committee to review the project.

Following its review in June, the Complete Streets Advisory Committee recommended that the current two-way configuration be made permanent, concluding that it better aligns with the City's Complete Streets Policy by enhancing accessibility, connectivity, traffic circulation, and flexibility during special events and street closures. Both the City's retained traffic engineering consultant and the Downtown Development Authority's retained traffic engineering consultant also independently recommended maintaining the current two-way configuration.

The City Commission will now consider the Committee's recommendation, the engineering analyses, and the cost comparison of both alternatives before determining the long-term future of the corridor.

FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR APRIL FLOODING

APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Residents impacted by April's historic flooding may now be eligible for federal disaster assistance following a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Michigan. Grand Traverse County has been approved for Individual Assistance (IA), making financial assistance available to eligible homeowners and renters who experienced uninsured or underinsured losses.

If your primary residence or personal property was damaged during the April storms and flooding, FEMA may be able to assist with eligible expenses such as temporary housing, basic home repairs, replacement of personal property, medical expenses, childcare costs, vehicle repairs, and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. If you have insurance, you should file your insurance claim first before applying for FEMA assistance.

How to Apply

The fastest and easiest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov, where applications can be submitted 24 hours a day. Residents may also apply using the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages.

Before You Apply

To help complete your application, have the following information available:

• Proof of identification
• Social Security number
• Contact information
• Annual household income
• Insurance information (if applicable)
• Bank account information for direct deposit
• A general list of disaster-related damages and losses

Disaster Recovery Centers

Michigan Disaster Recovery Centers have now opened across the state to provide in-person assistance for residents applying for FEMA Individual Assistance. Specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to help survivors complete applications, upload documents, answer questions, and connect with additional recovery resources. Additional pop-up and mobile recovery centers are expected to open throughout the application period.

Learn More

PROJECT UPDATE

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.

Eleventh Street Culvert/Kids Creek Restoration Project: Active

This week marked an exciting day for the Kids Creek Restoration Project as crews began placing the new Eleventh Street culvert between Elmwood Avenue and Division Street. The new culvert 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

Construction is continues on the Monroe Street Reconstruction Project, which will completely rebuild Monroe Street from W. Front Street to Bay Street while upgrading water, sanitary sewer, stormwater infrastructure, sidewalks, and pedestrian amenities. The initial phase between Bay Street and Wayne Street is substantially complete, with work continuing north toward Front Street throughout the construction season. The project remains on schedule for substantial completion by 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 Streets)

Washington Street Resurface (Rose Street to Prospect Street)

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



Looking Ahead

The City's 2026 Cape Seal Program is anticipated to begin in August and will preserve several residential streets by extending pavement life and protecting existing roadway investments. As part of the project, Front Street will also receive a cape seal treatment.

TRAVERSE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT JOINS SOCIAL MEDIA

Just like the Traverse City Police Department, the Traverse City Fire Department now has its own Facebook page! Follow TCFD for fire and life safety information, emergency updates, community events, public education, and a behind-the-scenes look at the department's work serving our community. Be sure to give them a follow and stay connected with the latest fire and public safety updates.

Follow TCFD

AUGUST PRIMARY

ELECTION

The Statewide Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. This election will determine which candidates advance to the November General Election ballot. Remember, voters may only select candidates from one political party in a primary election.

July 20: Last Day to Register Online or by Mail

Voters must register in person with your local Clerk after July 20, 2026 for the August 2026 election.

Early In-Person Voting

Early In-Person Voting will begin on Saturday, July 25, 2026, and will run through Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm. The Early Voting Site for voters in the City of Traverse City is at the Governmental Center, Lower Level, 400 Boardman Avenue.

Precinct 4 Location Change

As a reminder, Precinct 4 has moved polling locations.

Voting Precinct 4

Fire Station 1

500 W. Front Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

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, July 15, 2026, water sampling conducted classified all beaches as Level 1 and are considered safe for full-body contact.

WELCOME
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

This week, the City was thrilled to welcome Valarie Handy, Deputy City Manager, and Marshall Protetch, Communications Specialist to Team Traverse City!