2026 GUARDIAN AWARD HONOREE

AMT2 CHRIS RANKIN

On May 20, 2026, AMT2 Chris Rankin was honored with the Guardian Award by the Traverse City Coast Guard Committee in recognition of his leadership, community involvement, and service to the region.

As President of the Cherry Capital Chapter of the Coast Guard Enlisted Association, Rankin organized six fundraisers, led community outreach efforts at Friday Night Live, and partnered with the Chief Petty Officer Association to coordinate donations during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. He also provided support to fellow service members during significant life events.

In addition to his leadership within the Coast Guard community, Rankin has volunteered locally through baseball field maintenance, roadside cleanup efforts, holiday event coordination, and educational outreach, including aircraft and hangar tours for local high schools, vocational programs, and veterans groups.

ELMWOOD MILL AND FILL PROJECT 

BEGINS MAY 26

The City's contractors will be closing S. Elmwood Avenue between W. Front and W. Eleventh Streets to all through traffic for a mill and fill project on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The project is anticipated to be completed on June 12, 2026.

The intersection of Medical Campus Drive and S. Elmwood Avenue will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the project.

A detour will be provided using W. Front, S. Division, and W. Eleventh Streets. Parking will be prohibited on S. Elmwood Avenue for the duration of the project.

Northbound S. Division Street traffic with Munson Medical Center Emergency Room as their destination will be directed to use W. Sixth Street. Southbound S. Division Street traffic with Munson Medical Center Emergency Room as their destination will be directed to use Seventh Street.

Sidewalk curb ramps are being replaced to improve ADA accessibility at the intersection of Sixth Street and S. Elmwood Avenue. The crosswalks within the work zone will be closed for the duration of the project to facilitate the construction. A pedestrian detour will be provided using Seventh Street, S. Spruce Street, W. Front Street, S. Madison Street, Sixth Street, and Beaumont Place.

PILOT AGREEMENT APPROVED 

414 E. EIGHTH STREET

At their Monday, May 18, 2026 meeting, the City Commission approved a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for the Commongrounds Cooperative housing development located at 414 E. Eighth Street. The agreement will remain in effect for 35 years and supports the long-term affordability of 16 residential workforce housing units.

The approved unit mix includes eight studio units, four one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units, and one four-bedroom unit. Under the agreement, 12 units will be designated for households earning between 60% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), while four units will serve households earning up to 100% AMI.

The PILOT agreement supports the City’s ongoing efforts to expand workforce housing opportunities and aligns with goals outlined in the Strategic Action Plan related to housing affordability, neighborhood stability, and building a complete community.

BOARDMAN/OTTAWAY RIVER CLEAN UP 

MAY 22

The community is invited to participate in the Boardman/Ottaway River Cleanup on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. following recent flooding impacts along the river corridor. The cleanup effort is being coordinated by partners with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and FishPass as part of a community stewardship initiative.

Participants should meet at Rotary Square, where cleanup supplies, including trash bags and gloves, will be available. Volunteers may clean along the Lower Boardman/Ottaway River corridor from FishPass to the river mouth at West Grand Traverse Bay at their own pace throughout the event.

Community members are encouraged to help remove small debris and litter from the river corridor. For large debris located within City limits, including large tree limbs or other significant materials, residents should contact the City at (231) 922-4900 rather than attempting to move items themselves.

The cleanup is being held in recognition of World Fish Migration Day and highlights ongoing community partnerships focused on protecting and restoring the Boardman/Ottaway River.

PARKING RATE AND ENFORCEMENT CHANGES 

BEGINNING THIS SUMMER

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, the City will implement seasonal parking rate and enforcement changes as part of ongoing efforts to support the long-term sustainability of the parking system and better manage peak seasonal demand.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, enforcement hours for on-street/surface lot metered and pay station parking will be extended to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Enforcement hours will return to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. following Labor Day.

Seasonal meter rate adjustments will also take effect between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, with premium spaces increasing from $1.50 to $1.75 per hour and non-premium spaces increasing from $1.25 to $1.50 per hour. Following Labor Day, premium spaces will be $1.60 per hour and non-premium spaces will be $1.35 per hour.

The seasonal adjustments are intended to help the parking system respond to increased visitation during peak summer months while supporting parking operations, maintenance, enforcement, and future system improvements year-round. By aligning rates and enforcement with periods of highest demand, the City can better leverage the visitation economy to support the parking system as a whole.

Additional changes are also being made to monthly parking permits. Surface permits will increase from $48 to $55 per month, Hardy Parking Structure permits will increase from $55 to $60 per month, and Old Town Parking Structure permits will increase from $35 to $45 per month.

In addition, existing Hardy permits will no longer include access to the Old Town Parking Structure. A new combined Hardy and Old Town permit option will be available for $65 per month for users seeking access to both structures. Existing Hardy permit holders wishing to maintain access to Old Town will need to contact the Parking Services office to upgrade their permit.

Additional annual permit and rate adjustments are anticipated in 2027 and 2028 as part of broader parking system planning and operational sustainability efforts.

EAST SIDE PLACEMAKING SURVEY

Community members are encouraged to participate in an online survey focused on the future of the East Side Social District. The survey will remain open through May 22, 2026.



The effort follows the City’s recent selection as a national recipient of a $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, supported by General Motors. The initiative will help guide improvements along the East Eighth Street and Garfield Avenue corridor, with a focus on accessibility, pedestrian safety, connectivity, and vibrant public spaces that support both residents and local businesses.

MEET THE CHIEF

OPEN HOUSE

The community is invited to attend an Open House welcoming new Fire Chief Aaron Bunyea on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fire Station 1.

Chief Bunyea officially began serving as the City’s Fire Chief earlier this month following a national search process and was formally sworn in on May 13. Residents are encouraged to stop by, meet Chief Bunyea, and welcome him to the Traverse City community.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF MAY 25

Michigan's 2017 Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) designates galvanized water services as lead service lines if they "are or ever were" connected to a lead gooseneck, requiring utilities to pay for replacing private water services from the curb stop to the building. Lead goosenecks, installed before the mid-1940s, are 3-foot lead pipes used between the brass connection to the water main and a galvanized pipe.

The City has since installed copper services and has no known fully lead service lines. Not all private galvanized lines need replacement; those originally connected to City-owned copper services don't require replacement. The water service line replacement project started in May 2026 and is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.

Week of May 25 Locations

The week of May 25, 2026, work will be conducted on the 200 block of E. Fifteenth, the 100 and 200 blocks of E. Sixteenth Street, the 100 and 200 blocks of W. Sixteenth Street, and the 1300 and 1400 blocks of S. Union Street. This work will cause lane closures and lane shifts. Additionally, the work will cause sidewalk closures.

HICKORY HILLS

DAY CAMP

REGISTRATION OPEN

The City, in partnership with the Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD), is excited to announce a new Summer Day Camp experience at the City’s Hickory Hills Recreation Area for ages 7-12 years old. This camp is an extension of GTCD’s long-standing Nature Day Camp, bringing the same mission-driven outdoor learning to a new, inspiring setting. Registration for GTCD’s Hickory Hills Day Camp is now open via GTCD’s digital camp registration system.



Rooted in GTCD’s mission to lead, facilitate, and inspire exploration, appreciation, conservation, and restoration of our natural world, campers can expect hands-on exploration, nature-based play, environmental learning, and opportunities to build connections with the natural world.

Strategic Alignment

Expanding childcare opportunities was identified by the community as the top priority in the Strategic Action Plan and aligns with the City Commission’s OKRs.

HISTORIC BARNS PARK RENOVATIONS CELEBRATED
MAY 4, 2026

The community celebrated the completion of the latest phase of redevelopment at Historic Barns Park during a ribbon cutting ceremony held on May 4, 2026. The project included extensive renovations to Barn 206, originally built in 1896 as part of the former Traverse City State Hospital farm operations.

The upper level of the historic dairy barn now serves as the Debra J. Edson Family Education Center for The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, featuring a classroom and event space, a demonstration teaching kitchen, gallery space, and offices. Additional improvements included a new two-story connector tower and elevator access between Barn 206 and the adjacent Cathedral Barn, along with new roofs and expanded storage space.



The nearly $5 million project was made possible through a partnership between The Botanic Garden and the Recreation Authority, with support from grants, foundations, donors, and community partners.

PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR

The City congratulates Technology Director Jerry Swanson on successfully completing the 12-week IT Management and Leadership Institute program. Jerry’s continued commitment to professional growth reflects the City’s dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and strong technology leadership in support of City services and organizational goals.