MASTER PLAN & MOBILITY ACTION PLAN

DRAFT PLANS REVIEWED AND OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED

In 2022, the City initiated the process to rewrite the Master Plan and formulate a Mobility Action Plan. The Planning Commission has completed its review of the draft Master Plan/Mobility Action Plan and submitted it to the City Commission for a 63-day public review period. This process will begin at the City Commission Study Session on July 8, 2024, focusing on the supplemental portion of the draft, which compiles two years of research and data on land-use systems in the City. This section provides a foundation for the actionable plan items to be discussed later in summer 2024, and includes key considerations for future decisions, including a revision to the action plan in five years.

The second part of the review, focusing on the Mobility Action Plan sub-topic, will occur on July 22, 2024. The final review session on August 12, 2024, will cover the 'magazine' portion, which contains prescriptive elements to be utilized over the next five years. After the 63-day public review period, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and vote on the draft. The City Commission will then review and consider approval of the plan in September.

A Master Plan is a long-range policy document used by elected and appointed community leaders to guide land-use decisions, including those related to transportation, development, housing, recreation, natural resources, arts and culture, and the economy.

Community Open House

An Open House is scheduled for noon to 8:00 pm on July 18 at the Governmental Center. The format will be informal, so residents may arrive and engage at their convenience. Throughout the event, staff, consultants, planning commissioners, and members of the leadership team will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussions.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024

Time: Noon to 8 p.m.

Location: Governmental Center, Lower Level Cafeteria

Future Survey

In addition to the in-person open house, a community survey will be conducted from July 15, 2024, to July 28, 2024.

EAST SIDE SOCIAL DISTRICT BOUNDARY APPROVED

At their meeting on July 1, 2024, the City Commission approved an alternative Social District at the E. Eighth & Garfield corridor that included the service drives on the north and south side of E. Eight Street, west of Garfield Avenue. Originally presented on April 29, 2024, the project underwent revisions to decrease the boundaries based on feedback from the City Commission and general public.

The proposed Social District includes a defined boundary that follows parcel lines and ensures no parcel is bisected. Licensed businesses within this boundary are eligible to participate. The boundary also includes non-licensed businesses interested in being part of the district for branding and marketing purposes, as well as encouraging new commercial investments in the area.

In the Social District, adults can consume alcoholic beverages in public spaces within the common area, provided the beverage is purchased from an approved licensee and served in a properly labeled container not exceeding 16 ounces.

NETWORK DISRUPTION

SERVICE IMPACTS

The City and Grand Traverse County continue to recover after the June 11, 2024, cyber incident. The following items have been restored:

• Network connection
• Voicemail: Recent voicemails may have been lost during this time period.
• Live stream meetings
• Non-emergency phone number (231) 922-4550
• Interactive maps on the City's website

City Payments

Water & sewer, tax payments, and all BS&A integrated payments are now available. It is anticipated that customers will be able to log in to the portal to access their account balance, see activity, or make one time transactional payments by mid-day, July 3rd.

No late fees or penalties are being assessed during this time period. 

Reminder, summer 2024 tax bills were scheduled to be delivered on July 1st.

Log in to InvoiceCloud for Payments

MDOT PROJECT: SEGMENT 2 BEGINS JULY 8

PRACTICE PATIENCE

Temporary traffic control measures during the MDOT Project deviate from the usual traffic controls. Your cooperation and diligence are essential for ensuring the safety of yourself, pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow motorists during this period of construction. We urge all drivers to exercise caution, yield to pedestrians, and remain vigilant while navigating the MDOT Project detours.

Traffic Shift on July 7th

MDOT's contractor Team Elmer's will conduct a traffic shift at 9 pm on July 7th that will allow for east and west traffic on the north side of the Grandview Parkway. The south side of the Grandview Parkway will be closed for reconstruction.

Segment 2 Begins July 8th with 24/7 Work

Segment 2 (the US-31/Grandview Parkway/Front Street intersection west to Division Street) is scheduled to begin on July 8. Work activities will be conducted 24 hours each day, through the evening Friday, July 12, 2024. The intent of this work is to implement traffic control measures during periods of low traffic volume while also conducting infrastructure removals in preparation for pipe installation associated with utility upgrades. The location of this work will be on the two southern lanes of the Grandview Parkway from E. Front Street to Division Street, and the intersection of E. Front Street/Grandview Parkway.

Front Street/Grandview Parkway Intersection Closure and More

Front Street will close on the west side of Franklin Street. The intersection at Front Street/Grandview Parkway will be closed for reconstruction until approximately mid-August, weather permitting.

Barricades will be placed directly south of work activities at Cass, Hall, and Oak Streets. Union and Park Streets will remain open.

Vehicular & Pedestrian Detours

Eastbound lanes of US-31/Grandview Parkway will be closed as they are rebuilt, and one lane of US-31 traffic will be maintained in each direction on the westbound lanes.

Once the eastbound lanes are completed, traffic will be moved to those lanes, again with one lane open in each direction while the westbound lanes are rebuilt. The switch is tentatively expected to happen shortly after Labor Day.

While crews are working on the Grandview Parkway/Front Street intersection portion of Segment 2, pedestrians will be detoured across Front Street and Grandview Parkway at the Barlow Street signalized crossing and the Murchie Bridge underpass. While crews are working on the Division Street/Grandview Parkway intersection, pedestrians will be detoured to the High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal crossing at the Elmwood Street/Grandview Parkway intersection and the signalized crossing at the Division Street/East Front Street intersection.

Additional Improvements

In addition to rebuilding the roadway, this project will include replacing concrete curb and gutter, upgrading sidewalk and ramps, improving storm sewer, and repairing the Murchie Bridge over the Boardman/Ottaway River.

During this project, the City has planned utility infrastructure improvements to coincide with the project, investing $3.2 million to replace underground water and wastewater utilities.

Businesses Open

Anticipate that the construction will affect businesses, particularly those situated along the construction zone. However, it's important to note that our local businesses will continue to operate, and by demonstrating patience, you can actively support them throughout this period of disruption.

FISHPASS PROJECT RECEIVES $1 MILLION

FUNDS AWARDED FROM STATE OF MICHIGAN

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) will receive $1,000,000 from the State of Michigan in the fiscal year 2025 budget to support the FishPass Project. Senator John Damoose (MI-37) was the lead advocate for the inclusion of FishPass in the State budget. State funds will help to support the final phases of construction, which include most of the upland public amenities and universally accessible design features.

FishPass is the capstone of a more than 20-year restoration project on the Boardman/Ottaway River to reconnect the river with the Great Lakes. The project broke ground in May, and it will replace the aging Union Street Dam with a new, complete barrier to all fish with the capability to sort and selectively pass desirable fishes (lake sturgeon, lake trout) while blocking harmful invaders like sea lamprey.

Earlier this year, the City received an EGLE Dam Risk Reduction Grant for FishPass. Construction of critical in-stream, or "wet" project elements, including dam replacement and the fish passage channel, is underway and expected to finish in 2026. Simultaneously, efforts to finalize costs and funding for "dry" elements such as an educational facility, landscaping enhancements and naturalized river channel elements are underway. This phased approach ensures that all project elements will be completed effectively and on schedule – with the total project targeted for completion in 2027.

FishPass addresses public safety as the Union Street Dam was rated in fair-to-poor condition according to a 2021 MDEQ Dam Safety Unit inspection. The new, robust barrier, will reduce the risk of dam failure and enhance flood control, ensuring the safety of residents and infrastructure.

IN THE COMMUNITY

THANKS TCPD

All in a day's work! Thanks TCPD during festival week and beyond!