$7 MILLION ALLOCATED TO THE SENIOR CENTER

The City of Traverse City is thrilled that the State of Michigan has allocated $7 Million toward the Senior Center. 

In 2018, the City and Grand Traverse County formed an Ad Hoc Committee to determine future reconstruction of the Senior Center. The partners engaged local firm, Environment Architects, for professional services for design and construction of a new Senior Center. In 2020, the project was estimated to cost $5.6 Million and now is estimated at $7.5 Million. In 2022, an Ad Hoc Committee was formed to discuss the future of the Senior Center and explore funding options that included a local millage, capital campaigns, and grant funding. Discussions for a higher millage request on the November 8, 2022 ballot have been explored for bond payments and the operation costs for the Senior Center Network. The City Commission took no action on a millage proposal after learning of the $7 Million allocation this past week and briefly discussed the future project and intergovernmental agreement with Grand Traverse County

The Senior Center is located on City parkland at 801 East Front Street on the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay. In 2011, the City and County signed an intergovernmental agreement for Senior Center Management. Since then, the Grand Traverse County’s Senior Center Network has managed day to day operations and programming at the Senior Center. Most recently, Grand Traverse County conducted a community wide survey for the use of $18.2 Million in ARPA funds. The number one critical infrastructure need identified was the Senior Center.

A RIVER

TRANSFORMED

SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, July 13, 9 am to 6:30 pm, the DDA will host an all-day Open House for the public to learn more about the planning process relating to the development for conceptual designs for a riverwalk along Boardman/Ottaway River behind the 100 and 200 blocks of Front Street (from Union Street down to Park Street). The Open House will take place in Lot A, the alley between pedestrian bridge and J. Smith Walkway.

Improving the interface with the river in the heart of Downtown was a top priority identified in the Lower Boardman River Unified Plan. The open house will be an opportunity for the public to learn more and provide input. The DDA will have several stakeholder and public meetings throughout the conceptual design process.

GOLD - MICHIGAN GREEN COMMUNITY

The City of Traverse City was recently honored with the Michigan Green Communities Challenge Gold Certification. The Michigan Green Communities Challenge is an annual program that serves as a guide to help communities measure their progress towards sustainability.

The Challenge offers three levels of certification and includes several categories. This year's application contained 160+ questions and provided insights into strategic areas of improvement and activities related to the City’s Green Team and resilience goals.

Communities earn points by completing these action items. Participation is free and open to any local government in Michigan. 

CITY PARKS ARE A BUZZ

Barb Backus and her community of Master Gardeners have been volunteering with the City's Parks Division for years to maintain native flower beds at Hull and Clinch Park. What started as a personal interest to weed the beds and beautify the small planters at Hull Park has grown into an official MSU Master Gardener program with the help of her many friendly volunteers.

The City is grateful to the many hours of effort and passion the gardeners dedicate to our parks every year. We are fortunate for volunteers who continue to nurture City Parks and care for native plants and wildlife.

Enjoy the blooms and take note of the plant identification labels to learn more about the plants next time you stop by the park. Barb Backus (left) pictured Marcella Massa (right).

IN THE COMMUNITY

Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Shamroe participated in the Opening Ceremony for the

96th National Cherry Festival!