WEST END IMPROVEMENTS

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS APRIL 14TH

Beginning Monday, April 14, 2025, construction will begin on the improvements for the West End Beach area and restroom installation. Work activities include reconstruction of the West End parking lot and installation of bathroom facilities at the West End parking lot and RB parking lot.

The West End parking lot and RB parking lot will be closed beginning April 14, 2025. The project is anticipated to be substantially completed by June 20, 2025.

Additionally, the TART Trail will be impacted and closed near the RB and West End parking lots.

TART Trail Detours

West End parking lot:

The TART trail on the north side of Grandview Parkway will be closed between Division Street and the crossing at Elmwood Avenue. Users will be detoured to the south side of Grandview Parkway on the trail north of Bay Street.

RB parking lot:

The TART trail on the north side of Grandview Parkway will be closed between Marina Drive and Hall Street. Users will be detoured to the south side of Grandview Parkway on the sidewalk.

Detours will be appropriately signed.

West End Parking Lot Improvements

Following damage to the West End parking lot from high water levels in 2020, the project includes reducing parking from 25 to 14 spaces, increasing ADA accessibility, planting native dune grass, and using natural stone for improvements.

New Restrooms at West End Beach and Volleyball Courts

New restroom facilities will be installed at West End Beach and between the RB parking lot and volleyball courts. These precast concrete structures will be built off-site and are fabricated to meet all local building codes and design requirements, and comply with ADA standards.

Work is weather dependent, and modifications to the schedule may be necessary. If possible, please use alternate routes avoiding this area to reduce congestion, delay, and promote worker safety. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HICKORY WINTER

TAKE THE SURVEY

The Hickory Hills Advisory Committee is looking for your feedback on the 2024–2025 winter season! Whether you hit the slopes for alpine or nordic skiing, enjoyed the lodge amenities, or participated in club activities, your input is essential to guiding the next steps for Hickory Hills.

The survey should take about 5-minutes and will help inform decisions on everything from operations and safety to amenities and capital improvements. Your experiences—what worked well, what could be better—will directly influence upcoming improvements. The survey will close on Monday, April 21st.

CDBG 2025-2026 PLAN

RESILIENT COMMUNITY

In 2024, the City officially became a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Resilient Community, marking its first year of five years as an entitlement grantee. This designation allows the City to directly receive federal funding to address affordable housing, homelessness, and infrastructure needs for low- and moderate-income residents.

A 30-day public comment period for the 2025-2026 plan is required for each year’s plan to ensure community voices are heard in shaping local investment priorities.

CDBG funds can be used for:

• Housing (e.g. Rehabilitation, etc.)
• Public Infrastructure/Facilities Improvements
• Public Services

Funds assist Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) individuals and families

• Low- and Moderate-Income Persons (Area/ClientBased)
• Prevention or Elimination of Slums or Blight
• Meet Community Development Needs Having a Particular Urgency

Draft Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2025/2026

The draft goals and proposed spending allocations are summarized below. The full Draft Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2025/2026 is attached. [Note that HUD has not announced grant amounts for any grantee entitlement communities as of this date and timelines and allocations may shift as a result.]

Goal One: Assist with the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing and lowering the economic barriers to such housing for low- and moderate-income households, seniors, and persons experiencing homelessness. Working with partners including non-profit affordable housing developers (such as HomeStretch Nonprofit Housing Corporation), public housing organizations (the Traverse City Housing Commission), non-profits including local continuum of care organizations (including Goodwill of Northern Michigan and the Coalition to End Homelessness).

Goal Two: Support community and economic development projects, including public facility or infrastructure improvements and social services in qualifying low- and moderate-income areas. Working with City Parks and Recreation and Engineering departments to identify high priority infrastructure needs in qualifying low- and moderate-income areas.

Goal Three: Support program administration including technical assistance with program requirements and environmental reviews as needed; and expert assistance with training, advocacy, and information sharing relating to furthering fair housing in compliance with the Consolidated Plan.

Final approval will be sought from the City Commission for the 2025/2026 Annual Action Plan at the second public hearing scheduled for May 12, 2025, after the public input period has elapsed, in order to meet HUD timelines. 

FAIR HOUSING MONTH

ENSURING EVERYONE HAS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

April is Fair Housing Month. The City will be working with the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan through our CDBG initiatives. The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is a private, non-profit fair housing organization committed to providing comprehensive fair housing services, including education, outreach, research, advocacy, and enforcement. 

The Fair Housing Center is the front door to housing choice, ensuring that everyone in our community has equal opportunity to choose housing that’s right for them. Through education, research and advocacy, they prevent housing discrimination, remove barriers that allow it to persist, and restore housing choice when discrimination happens. 

The Fair Housing Center works with tenants, homeowners, and home seekers as well as professionals, companies, and social service agencies related to housing. These include landlords, realtors, lending institutions, insurance agents, and more.

The organization directly serves 12 counties in Western Michigan: Allegan, Grand Traverse, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, and responds to inquiries from 26 counties within the upper 2/3 of the State of Michigan, including the entire Upper Peninsula.

FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEOS OF MEETINGS

CHANGE IN LIVE VIDEO STORAGE

The City currently live streams City Commission and Planning Commission meetings on Facebook. In February 2025, Facebook implemented a new policy in which Live videos will only be available for 30 days. After that period, the recordings will no longer be accessible on Facebook.

To ensure continued access, meetings are also:

• Live streamed and archived on the City’s official YouTube channel, which is not affected by this change
• Recorded and broadcast on the Traverse Area Community Media website

We encourage residents to utilize these additional platforms to stay informed and engaged.

EYE ON WATER

MONITOR YOUR WATER USAGE

As more customers make the switch to Beacon smart meters, we’re excited to offer access to EyeOnWater—an easy-to-use tool that lets you monitor your water usage in real time.

EyeOnWater is available as both a website and a mobile app, giving you 24/7 access to your water consumption data and helping you take control of your usage. Customers with the capability will see a $.90/month "technology" fee on their bills after July 1, 2025. 

What EyeOnWater Can Do for You

With EyeOnWater, you can:

• Detect Leaks Early
• Set customizable alerts to be notified of unusual water activity or possible leaks.
• Track Usage Patterns
• View your water usage by hour, day, week, month, or year.
• Compare with Weather Data
• See how temperature and precipitation impact your water use.
• Understand When You Use the Most Water
• Identify trends and discover opportunities to save.

How to Know If You're Eligible

You are eligible if your property has been upgraded with a Beacon smart meter. Refer to the image at the link to check your eligibility on your utility bill. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, please contact our Utility Billing Department.

How to Sign Up

Getting started with EyeOnWater is quick and easy! You’ll need:

• Your water billing account number
• Your ZIP code
• A valid email address

Take advantage of this helpful tool to better understand your water use and stay informed. For questions or help getting started, feel free to reach out to our Utility Billing team!

ONLINE PAYMENTS IMPACTED THIS WEEKEND

The City will be performing scheduled IT maintenance on Friday, April 11, 2025.

As a result, online payments for water/sewer services and all other BS&A-integrated transactions will be unavailable from 5:00 pm on Friday, April 11 through Monday, April 14, 2025.

R2 ZONING AMENDMENT

UPDATE

At the April 7, 2025 meeting, the City Commission did not take action on the proposed amendments to the R-2 Mixed Density Residential District. The proposed change would have increased the allowable number of dwelling units per parcel in R2 from two to four units.

SARA HARDY HUMANITARIAN AWARD



The Traverse City Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for the 2025 Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award. Named in honor of Sara Hardy, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Human Rights Commission over three decades ago, this annual accolade celebrates individuals who embody the Commission's core principles of fostering mutual understanding, respect, and inclusivity within our community.

Nominations for individuals who exemplify the ideals of human rights may be submitted until May 2, 2025.

BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

The Human Rights Commission invites nominations for its Business and/or Organization Humanitarian Efforts Award, established to honor and give public recognition to a business or organization that has demonstrated an ongoing and sustained commitment to helping others in the Traverse City Region.

The Traverse City Human Rights Commission strives to ensure human dignity through advocacy, education, negotiation and information ensuring understanding and respect among all.

Nominations may be submitted until May 2, 2025.

USE LEAVES FOR THE GOOD

LIVING A GREENER WAY OF LIFE

Leaving leaves on your lawn supports a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle. Instead of raking, mulching leaves into your grass has several environmental benefits:

• Natural fertilizer: Decomposing leaves provide nutrients, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and promoting healthier grass.
• Weed prevention: Mulched leaves cover bare spots, helping to prevent weeds like dandelions and crabgrass.
• Less waste: By skipping the raking and disposal, you reduce waste and save time.
• Garden boost: Excess leaves can be used as mulch around garden beds, trees, and shrubs, improving soil health and reducing weeds.

This approach benefits both the environment and your lawn.

Learn More

Make the Switch

Switching to electric lawn equipment is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Unlike gas-powered tools or single-stroke engines, electric equipment reduces emissions, helping to lower air pollution and your carbon footprint. It's also much quieter, reducing noise pollution in your neighborhood! With no risk of fuel spills or leaks, and requiring less maintenance, electric tools are a cleaner and more efficient choice for lawn care. Making the switch supports a greener and quieter way of life!

TCLP Rebate Program

Traverse City Light & Power has a residential rebate program to help customers save energy and money. As fall cleanup is underway, rebates are offered on a wide variety of energy-saving products including electric lawn equipment.

The program is designed specifically for our area to help you save money, save energy, and help save our environment through your own conservation.

Learn More

Leaf & Brush Pick Up Begins April 28th

The City's Leaf & Brush Pick Up is scheduled later this season and will begin on April 28, 2025. In 2024, the City launched a new map to streamline its annual leaf pickup program, dividing the city into six zones for efficient service. Leaf collection will begin on the west side in Zone 1 and progress eastward through all zones. Residents can view the map to identify their zone and prepare for leaf pickup accordingly.

Due to unpredictable weather conditions, exact dates for each zone's pickup will not be provided. The City encourages residents to be ready for leaf pick up in their zone, as there will be only one pass. Leaves may be raked on-street no sooner than April 25th.

Brush piles cannot exceed 8' x 8' and 4' high - branches no more than 4" in diameter and should be placed in the alley. If there is no alley, brush can be placed behind the curb or pavement edge of the street.

Brush Drop-Off Site Opens April 15th

RecycleSmart, the Resource Recovery program for Grand Traverse County, will open the Brush Drop-Off Site, 2471 N. Keystone Road, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

The Brush Drop-off Site is open during the following days and times:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10 am to 4:30 pm
• Saturdays - 9 am to 3:30 pm

Acceptable yard waste material includes:

• Brush and branches at a cost of $5.00/cubic yard
• Grass clippings and leaves at a cost of $5.00/cubic yard or $1.00/bag
• Untreated construction wood at a cost of $8.00/ cubic yard
• Pallets at a cost of $1.00 each
• Stumps at a cost of $.50/inch up to 24" diameter.

Please separate your grass clippings and leaves from branches and twigs as they will be unloaded in different areas. Plastic bags must be emptied and removed from the site.

SAVE THE DATE

SENIOR CENTER & PARK GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

Mark your calendar for April 30, 2025, and join the City and Grand Traverse County for the exciting Grand Opening Celebration of the Senior Center and Senior Center Park!

The event will run from 2–6 pm in an open house–style format, with speakers at 4 pm.