THE PERFORMANCE

2024 ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

The City has published The Performance, the 2024 annual report, highlighting the significant progress and accomplishments in the past year.

Key Investments & Initiatives

This year’s report showcases major advancements across several critical areas:

Infrastructure & Water System Improvements – Over $9.2 million was invested in water, wastewater, and sewer infrastructure, ensuring long-term reliability and sustainability.

Road & Pavement Upgrades – More than $5 million was allocated for pavement preservation and roadway reconstruction, with highlights including Veterans Drive and intersection reconstructions along Eighth Street.

Housing & Homelessness Support – A commitment of $730,000 toward housing initiatives and $360,000 for permanent supportive housing at East Bay Flats, reinforcing efforts to assist our most vulnerable residents.

Sustainable Actions – The completion of the new Senior Center, which operates entirely without natural gas, marks a major step forward in environmentally friendly infrastructure. Additionally, the introduction of a state-of-the-art in-vessel composting unit demonstrates the City’s commitment to innovative waste management and sustainability.

Mobility & Trail Enhancements – The City made significant strides in improving connectivity, including trail upgrades along the Bayfront to enhance pedestrian and cyclist accessibility. Additionally, the adoption of the Mobility Action Plan supports long-term strategies for safer, more efficient transportation networks.

Recreational Improvements – Investments in parks and trails have enhanced outdoor spaces, including the installation of a new array of park signage across the City’s 30+ parks to improve accessibility and visitor experience.

Governance & Urban Planning – The adoption of a new Master Plan reflects the City's commitment to thoughtful development and smart growth initiatives.

TWO WAY STREET CONVERSION

PILOT EXTENSION CONSIDERED FEBRUARY 18

At their Tuesday, February 18, 2025 meeting the City Commission will be presented with an update from the DDA on the two way street conversion in Downtown Traverse City, and consider a recommendation to extend the pilot project for two additional years.

In November 2022, the DDA approached the City to launch a two-year pilot to convert portions of State, Pine, and Boardman Streets to two-way traffic, with a goal to enhance downtown accessibility and mobility. The pilot followed an iterative approach, incorporating public feedback and data collection to refine the changes, including additional signage and lane markings.

Challenges, such as limited turning options at key intersections and concerns about traffic flow, especially during the Grandview Parkway reconstruction, are intended to be addressed as part of the proposed two-year extension. Additional time is being recommended to allow for further evaluation and necessary adjustments to ensure the project meets the DDA's goals, which included: slower speeds, increase pedestrian safety, enhance the public realm, encourage private investment of underdeveloped commercial areas, and provide better connectivity to the existing grid system.

Looking Ahead

With the two-way pilot project’s traffic control order expired, the City Commission has the following considerations:

1. Revert the streets to one-way traffic.
2. Make the two-way conversion permanent, with or without modifications.
3. Extend the pilot for two additional years to address immediate concerns and further evaluate long-term impacts.

The DDA has recommended a two-year extension, which includes updates such as signal modifications at key intersections, mid-block crosswalks, and exploring the potential conversion of Front Street to two-way traffic.

The Front Street conversion would represent a significant shift in Downtown traffic flow, aiming to enhance connectivity and walkability. If pursued, this change would require additional analysis of traffic impacts, such as how one eastbound lane on Front Street interacts with broader mobility patterns. Potential improvements may include adjustments to the Hardy Parking Deck entrance and a review of loading zones and delivery access to accommodate two-way movement.

WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT PROPOSED

314 E. EIGHTH STREET

The Traverse City Housing Commission (TCHC) will present plans for a new workforce housing development at 314 E. Eighth Street during the February 18, 2025, City Commission meeting. The project aims to provide 40-50 units of affordable workforce housing, addressing a growing need in the community.

Project Details & Property Considerations

To move forward, TCHC is working with the Grand Traverse County Land Bank Authority (Land Bank) to assemble the necessary properties. The City has a role in this stage due to its property interests in the project site:

• A 0.05-acre triangle-shaped parcel adjacent to 314 E. Eighth Street, currently owned by the City.
• A portion of the MDOT Rail property to the west, which was initially assembled for trails and a potential cross-town arterial road—plans that have since been abandoned.

For the project to proceed as envisioned, the City would need to relinquish its property interest in the MDOT Rail portion and transfer the triangle parcel to TCHC.

Funding & Support

TCHC plans to pursue Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing for construction and explore the new MSHDA Employer-Assisted Housing Program as an additional funding source. The commission is also in discussions with the Land Bank and Grand Traverse Brownfield Authority (GTBA) to access state and local funding. TCHC has also indicated that a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program from the City would be essential for the project's financial viability.

STRATEGIC ACTION PLANNING

FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS & COMMUNITY SURVEY

The City is in an active phase of the Strategic Action Planning process. It is critical for residents to be engaged in the Strategic Planning process. Keep an eye on the project portal and join the project mailing list to stay up to date on opportunities to get involved.

Strategic Pillars

The Strategic Round Table held on January 21st was an interactive community session that helped create the key strategic focus areas for the Strategic Action Plan. The purpose of the session was to identify 5-6 key strategic focus areas that will support the preferred future for the City of Traverse City.

• Building Socio-Economic Systems and Amenities
• Supporting Environmental Sustainability
• Strengthening Place-Making and Neighborhood Character
• Proactively Manage Urban Design
• Fostering a Regional Collaborative Approach
• Building a Thriving Year-Round Economy

February Focus Groups and Community Input Sessions

To dive deeper into the Strategic Pillars and how we achieve the desired future, Community Focus Group Sessions will be held between February 18-20, 2025. There will be one session solely focused on each Strategic Pillar. In addition, two evening community sessions have been scheduled so input can be provided on all areas. All sessions are open to the public.

Community Survey

A community survey for the Strategic Action Plan project is now available. Its primary goal is to gather insights on the community’s desired future direction to inform the development of the Strategic Plan. The survey is designed for residents of the City of Traverse City and individuals with a direct connection to the community. It seeks to understand their perspectives on life in Traverse City and their vision for the City's future.

The survey is open to all ages. Please share and make it a household activity!

Take the Survey

CITY ACADEMY APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The City Academy program, launched in 2023, offers residents a unique, behind-the-scenes look at city governance and operations. Have you ever wondered how streets are reconstructed, how drinking water stays safe, or who to contact for city services? City Academy provides answers while fostering informed and engaged citizens.

Program Details

• Duration: 5 weeks
• Sessions: 8, from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
• Commencement: April 15, 2025

Experiences

Interactive presentations, discussions with City staff, and exclusive facility tours of key locations like Fire Station 1, Water Treatment Plant, and more.

City Academy is designed to strengthen civic engagement, build relationships with City staff, and create opportunities for residents to get involved in local government through boards, commissions, and committees.

Apply between February 1 and 28, 2025. With only 12 spots available, priority is given to City residents.

SEEKING INPUT ON CITY PARK IMPROVEMENTS

The Brown Bridge Trust Fund Ad Hoc Committee is seeking suggestions from residents regarding their desired improvements to parks and accessibility to parks. The input process is simple, consisting of a single question asking what improvements you would like to see.

Background

In 2019, a ballot proposal passed with 75.89% support, allowing the City Commission to use the Brown Bridge Trust Fund principal exceeding $12,000,000 for City park capital improvements and property acquisition for parklands for five years. This allowance expired on November 4, 2024.

In June 2024, the City Commission established an Ad Hoc Committee to explore the possibility of placing a new proposal before voters in November 2025.

Next Steps

The Ad Hoc Committee is currently evaluating how to propose the use of the funds, with a focus on park and recreational improvements. A key priority is enhancing access to parks to ensure they are more inclusive and accessible for all. The Committee plans to finalize the proposal language by May 2025.

FRAUDULENT

QR CODES

The City wants to alert customers about an increase in fraudulent QR code stickers being placed over the official Parkmobile stickers in the City. These deceptive stickers can lead users to fraudulent payment sites, and potentially be compromising. Incidents have been few, but the City has seen an increase in the last week. Parking staff are actively monitoring and removing any fraudulent QR codes as soon as they are identified.

How to Spot a Real Parkmobile QR Code

Genuine Parkmobile QR codes are branded with a "P" in the middle and are printed directly on the official stickers. If you see a QR code that looks suspicious or appears to be placed over the original sticker, avoid scanning it and report it to our team.



Tips to Protect Yourself

• Verify the URL before entering payment details. The official Parkmobile website should match its verified domain.
• Use the Parkmobile App instead of scanning QR codes whenever possible.
• Use a Trusted QR Code Scanner App instead of your phone’s default camera. There are apps available that can scan QR codes safely and alert you if a link seems suspicious.
• Report Suspicious Stickers by notifying our team if you come across a QR code that looks tampered with or misplaced.

WINTER TAX DEADLINE - FEBRUARY 14

The deadline for Winter Tax payments is quickly approaching! Property owners in Traverse City must submit their payments by February 14, 2025 to avoid late penalties. A 3% penalty will be applied to unpaid balances beginning February 15, 2025. Additionally, any outstanding balances for both Summer and Winter taxes will be sent to the respective county (Leelanau or Grand Traverse) on March 1, 2025.

To ensure a smooth and timely payment process, property owners are encouraged to take advantage of Invoice Cloud, an easy and secure online payment platform. Payments can be made online through InvoiceCloud.

Make Your Payment

Important Payment Reminder

If you are scheduling payments through your banking institution, please ensure the following to avoid delays or misapplied payments: Payments must be made to the City of Traverse City. The correct parcel number must be referenced.

We encourage all taxpayers to review their payment options and submit their taxes before the deadline to avoid penalties.