TRAVERSE CITY MURAL FESTIVAL

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ISSUED

The Traverse City Arts Commission is partnering with the North Boardman Creative Initiative to launch the inaugural Traverse City Mural Festival, a multi-year initiative to contribute to the sense of place of the newly established North Boardman Lake District (NOBO) through artful placemaking.

The NOBO District, centered around Eighth Street and the Boardman Lake Loop trail, will come alive with color and creativity during the festival, scheduled for September 12-17, 2025. The event aims to create a unique visual experience, enriching the vitality of the corridor through public art. It builds on the momentum of two transformative projects: the City's 2019 reconstruction of Eighth Street, which made the area more pedestrian-friendly and spurred new activity, and the City's completion of the Boardman Lake Loop, which has brought fresh energy to the district.

Recognizing the opportunity for further placemaking, the Traverse City Arts Commission launched the North Boardman Creative Initiative in collaboration with TART Trails and other partners. The Traverse City Arts Commission is a commission of the City of Traverse City and managed by the Downtown Development Authority. A request for proposals (RFP) has been issued. Art proposals are due February 7, 2025. Learn more about the initiative, timeline, and the RFP requirements on the Arts Commission website.

REAL TIME BUS TRACKING NOW AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN

NEW TRANSIT SCREENS PROVIDE LIVE UPDATES FOR DOWNTOWN COMMUTERS AND VISITORS

The Parking Services Department has partnered with the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) to introduce real-time bus tracking in Downtown Traverse City.

New transit screens have been installed in three parking structure pedestrian towers—Northeast and Southwest Hardy and Northeast Old Town. These screens are connected to BATA’s real-time bus tracking software, displaying a live map that shows the location of buses on their routes relative to each tower.

This addition is especially useful for commuters waiting in the stair towers during inclement weather, allowing them to track bus arrivals and head to nearby stops at the right time. The collaboration aims to improve the convenience and accessibility of public transportation for downtown commuters and visitors.

BROWN BRIDGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

The City is seeking a voluteer that is a City resident to serve on the Brown Bridge Advisory Committee.

Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to make recommendations to restore, preserve and protect the integrity of the Brown Bridge property under the direction of the City Manager. The Brown Bridge Advisory Committee was established by the City Commission on October 4, 1993.

Composition

The Committee meets quarterly on the third Thursday of that month. All appointments are three-year terms. This Committee consists of twelve members (half of which must be City residents). 

Application to Become Involved

WELCOME AND THANK YOU HICKORY HILLS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

In Fall 2024, the City established an official Hickory Hills Advisory Committee.

Purpose

The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to operate, restore, preserve and protect the integrity of Hickory Hills under the direction of the City Manager. The Committee shall make recommendations regarding planning documents related to Hickory Hills.

Welcome Members

Greg Argyle, Sara Bageris, Rodney Kivell, John Kostrzewa, Tonya Lewandowski, Laura Ness, Tim Pulliam, Jill Sill, and Andrew Weir.

The City Commission will appoint a representative in early 2025 to the committee. An organizational meeting will be scheduled to establish the meeting schedule and times.

TCFD GIFT CERTIFICATE

SENIOR CITIZEN HOME FIRE SAFETY & ALARM INSTALLATION

Looking for a unique gift for a senior citizen in your life? The Traverse City Fire Department is offering a Home Fire Safety Gift Certificate, perfect for ensuring safety and peace of mind.

The certificate includes a 1-hour Home Fire Safety Assessment and the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, featuring no-maintenance, 10-year lithium-ion batteries. This service, valued at $180, is redeemable for one year from the date of issue.

Recipients can schedule their assessment with Fire Inspector Jacob Steichen by calling (231) 631-7423 or emailing jsteichen@tcfire.org.

Safety never goes out of style—give the gift of protection today!

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. 

Can we have an update on the Senior Center project?

SEASONAL SNOW REMOVAL

PRIORITIZATION & HOW YOU CAN HELP

The City's Streets Division is responsible for plowing public streets and alleys. Safety routes are prioritized—these are the main roads and critical areas that need to stay open for emergency access. The MDOT trunklines and emergency routes receive first priority for clearing snow in the morning and are continually plowed throughout the day if snow continues to accumulate. City crews then move on to major and local streets, and finally alleys.

Keep Your Sidewalk Accessible for Everyone

During winter, the City reminds residents and business owners that they are responsible by ordinance for the removal of any snow and ice that accumulates on the sidewalks immediately adjacent to their property. The City also encourages residents to help neighbors and relatives who have difficulty removing snow from their sidewalks.

City Sidewalk Snow Plowing

The City provides a supplemental snow plowing program for sidewalks. Sidewalks are prioritized near routes to schools and to provide access to City buildings. The City starts with sidewalks along main roadways and safety routes, then moves into residential areas when time and staffing allow.

Downtown Sidewalk Snow Removal

If snow accumulates over 3 inches overnight, the City's contractor clears the sidewalks of snow early in the morning in the Downtown commercial area. This process is conducted only in the early morning hours when sidewalks are clear of pedestrians. Sidewalks are not cleared by the contractor throughout the day. If snow continues to accumulate throughout the day after being cleared in the morning, property owners are responsible for shoveling their storefront sidewalks as needed.

Snow Removal Reminder for Residents, Businesses, and Contractors

When clearing snow with a shovel, plow, or snowblower, please avoid pushing or placing snow into the street or alley. This creates unnecessary snow piles, increases the workload for City crews, and can result in large accumulations being pushed into other areas, potentially causing safety hazards. Instead, snow should be placed on the tree lawn, your personal property, or, for those in the Downtown area, around street trees.

Let’s work together to keep our community walkable, welcoming, and safe for everyone this winter!