FISHPASS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

PHASE 2 BEGINS, TEMPORARY CLOSURES EXPECTED

Construction on the FishPass project is moving into Phase 2, which includes key structural work such as shifting the temporary cofferdam to the north side of the channel and beginning construction of fish-sorting channels. As part of this phase, two large cranes will return to the site, and work will involve removing and reinstalling sheet piles.

Project Impacts & Temporary Closures

Alley & Lot K Closure: The alley south of State Street and Lot K will temporarily close for 1–2 weeks later this month. A specific start date is not yet available due to the flexible nature of construction scheduling.

Portage Access Update: The temporary portage at the northeast corner of Union Street Bridge is closed. 

Noise & Vibration Monitoring: All high-noise activities will occur on weekdays between 8 AM and 5 PM. Vibrations are being carefully monitored with on-site equipment, and strict safety thresholds are in place to protect surrounding infrastructure.

Background

FishPass represents the culmination of approximately two decades of restoration efforts on the Boardman/Ottaway River, aiming to reconnect the river with Lake Michigan. It addresses the deteriorating Union Street Dam, replacing it with a new, complete barrier to all fish while incorporating innovative technology to selectively pass desirable species and block harmful invaders like sea lamprey. The project remains on track for completion of in-river work in 2026 and upland work by 2027.

Photo courtesy of Team Elmer's 

MICHIGAN GREEN COMMUNITIES

GOLD STATUS AWARD

The City of Traverse City has been recognized for its environmental leadership with a Gold Certification through the 2024 Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge. This award highlights the City’s continued commitment to sustainability in areas such as climate resilience, energy efficiency, materials management, clean mobility, and community engagement.

The MGC Challenge saw a record number of participants this year, with 68 communities across Michigan logging their sustainability actions. Of those, 42 achieved Gold status.

This recognition reflects the City’s efforts to advance environmental stewardship through initiatives like improving walkability, expanding recycling programs, and investing in renewable energy planning. The City continues to explore innovative strategies to protect natural resources and promote long-term climate adaptation.

The MGC program is a free resource open to all local governments in Michigan, offering technical assistance, benchmarking tools, and a network of peers to support community sustainability goals.

PAVEMENT MARKINGS

PROJECT UPDATE AND EXPLORING IN-HOUSE FEASIBILITY

As part of the City’s annual pavement marking program, street painting efforts are underway for the 2025 season.

The City’s contractor is currently completing items that were left unfinished from 2024 due to weather and staffing challenges. With the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2025, the contractor will begin painting all parking lines, legends, symbols, and crosswalks Citywide. This schedule, which is tied to the start of the fiscal year, continues to present timing challenges.

Regarding long-line striping (such as centerlines and lane dividers), the work is expected to be completed in late summer and typically takes just one day to finish across the entire City.

Evaluation of In-House Capabilities

It is important to note that only four pavement marking contractors currently operate within the State of Michigan. Due to Traverse City’s northern location, larger municipalities in southern Michigan are often given scheduling priority.

At the direction of the City Commission and City Manager, the City has been evaluating the feasibility of performing some pavement marking work in-house. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately $65,000 in equipment and materials would be required to initiate such a program, along with increased staffing levels. While still in the feasibility stage, the City believes this approach could provide a higher-quality product, greater accountability, and more timely completion—particularly in high-traffic areas ahead of the peak tourism season.

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT

WEEK OF JUNE 23RD

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 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2025.

Week of June 23rd Locations

The week of June 23rd, the project will be conducted on the 100 block of S. Spruce, 100, 200, 300, and 400 blocks of N. Spruce, and 900 block of Randolph. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.

BEACH MONITORING & TESTING

The Environmental Health Division of the Grand Traverse County Health Department works closely with the City of Traverse City, Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, and the Traverse City State Park to ensure the health and safety of several public beaches in Grand Traverse County.

The Watershed Center administers grants from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to sample surface water from swim areas of the beaches. The water samples are analyzed for E. coli, a relatively harmless organism that may indicate the possible presence of harmful pathogenic microorganisms.

The Beach Monitoring Dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays. If any beaches report a "Level 2" or higher, those specific beaches will then be resampled. Resample results will be available and published 24 hours later.

SAFE HARBOR COMMUNITY MEETING

Safe Harbor will host its quarterly community meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025. The meeting will take place in the McGuire Room at the Traverse Area District Library, Main Branch from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. The public is welcome.

NO WIPES

IN PIPES

Friendly reminder: Do not flush "flushable" wipes! They don't break down in the sewer system, causing clogs and sewage backups. In municipal systems, wipes form "fatbergs" with grease and debris, damaging infrastructure and leading to costly repairs.

FOR YOUR HEALTH

MEASLES WALK-IN CLINIC AND TICK BITE BOT

Measles Walk-In Clinic: June 20th

The Grand Traverse County Health Department (GTCHD), in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, has confirmed a single case of measles in Grand Traverse County. This is the first confirmed case of measles in the county since 2019. 

The GTCHD is hosting a walk-in clinic for measles vaccination on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Health Department located at 2600 LaFranier Road. For more information or assistance, contact GTCHD at (231) 995-6131.  

Tick Bite Bot

As tick season continues, the GTCHD is promoting Tick Bite Bot—an interactive, mobile-friendly tool from the CDC that guides users through tick removal and helps determine when to seek medical care. By answering a few simple questions about when the tick was found and any symptoms present, users receive personalized advice for safe removal and appropriate follow-up care.

To prevent tick bites, individuals are encouraged to perform regular tick checks, wear insect repellent, and dress appropriately when spending time outdoors.

Tick Bite Bot

Are you interested in serving the City of Traverse City? Serving on a board or commission can be a rewarding experience that allows you to make a difference in our community. Boards and Commissions are responsible for making key decisions and providing direction to the City and City Commission.

Interested in Becoming Involved?

The City is seeking volunteers for the following Boards and Commissions. Please feel free to contact the City Clerk's Office with any questions at (231) 922-4480 or by email at tcclerk@traversecitymi.gov to learn more on the appointment process through the City Commission Policy on Appointments and Committees. The following Boards and Commissions are seeking applicants.

• Local Officer’s Compensation Committee
• Parks & Recreation Commission
• Brown Bridge Advisory Committee

Attend Meetings and/or Subscribe to Meeting Packets

Attending meetings or following the work of your fellow community members who sit on various Boards and Commissions is the best way to stay in the know on the policies and initiatives that are being developed to shape our future. 

Subscribe to Meeting Agendas

Watch Streamed Meetings

City Commission, Planning Commission, the Downtown Development Authority, and TC Light & Power meetings are all live streamed. Visit the link below to watch live or view the recordings at a later time.

Watch Streamed Meetings