MDOT PROJECT: SEGMENT 2 TRAFFIC SHIFT

RB AND WEST END PARKING LOTS TO CLOSE

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 Grandview Parkway Project.

Vehicular Shift Anticipated for Next Week

As paving activities began this week on the Grandview Parkway, a traffic shift to the south side of the Grandview Parkway is anticipated late Wednesday, August 21st , weather pending. One lane open in each direction will operate as the westbound lanes are rebuilt.

Parking Lot Closures & Marina Drive Access

During the remainder of Segment 2, the RB Parking Lot and West End Parking Lot will be closed. In addition, the entrance to the Marina Parking Lot entrance will be closed. Marina Drive and the entrance to the Marina Lot will alternate being open/closed based on the scope of work being performed to maintain access.

Traffic Control Changes: Intersection Closures for Paving

Union, Cass and Hall Streets will be intermittently closed or maintained by flag control on an as needed basis for paving and grading operations between Friday, August 16th and Tuesday, August 20th.

Front Street/Grandview Parkway Intersection Closure

Front Street continues to be closed on the west side of Franklin Street. Turns at the US-31/Front Street intersection will still be restricted until next week. After that, drivers will be able to turn from US-31 onto Front Street. However, turns from Front Street onto US-31 will be restricted until Segment 2 is completed and all lanes are open.

Pedestrian Detours

The Clinch Park Tunnel will be the alternate pedestrian crossing while paving activities are conducted at intersections.

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.

CDBG FUNDING

IDENTIFIED THROUGH FIVE YEAR PLAN

The City has completed a 5-Year Consolidated Plan, required for its new status as a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipient, due to its designation as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). This plan is a process that recipients of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—such as states, local governments, and public housing agencies—undertake to identify priority needs and goals for housing and community development. Additionally, the plan will help identify at-risk populations in the City, the prevalence of low-to-moderate-income households, and will include an assessment of the community’s housing needs. The draft plan was made public on July 11th, with a 30-day comment period, and includes a proposed budget for both the 5-year period with the first program year, emphasizing support for the homeless population, rental assistance, and housing investments.

While the CDBG funding is modest relative to the City's housing needs, it aims to align with broader housing policies and leverage additional funding opportunities over time. Future considerations include rehabilitation of housing for low-income households and seniors, as well as fair housing strategies.

At their August 12, 2024 meeting the City Commission approved the 5-Year Consolidated Plan.

Proposed 5-Year Plan Budget

• Bringing new permanent supportive housing on line ($1,113,625)
• Rental assistance to tenants for homelessness prevention ($250,000)
• Support services for those housed in permanent supportive housing ($109,596)
• Shelter upgrades (split between day and overnight shelters) ($100,000)
• Support services at shelters ($164,394)
• Program administration ($89,000)

COMPLETE STREETS

AD HOC COMMITTEE RE-ESTABLISHED

At their August 12, 2024 meeting, the City Commission re-established the Complete Streets Ad Hoc Committee, appointing Commissioner Shaw, Commissioner Werner, and Mayor Pro-Tem Wilson to serve. The committee is expected to begin meeting in October 2024.

Complete Streets is a planning and design approach aimed at ensuring streets are safe and accessible for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Speed is the leading factor in traffic fatalities, and reducing it is crucial to enhancing safety. One effective way to lower speeds is by adopting street designs that prioritize safety over vehicle speed. While Complete Streets are a process and approach to street design, there is no singular design prescription for Complete Streets. Each one is unique and responds to its community context. 

The City's Infrastructure Strategy Policy already references "Complete Streets" and context-sensitive solutions. In 2011, the City Commission adopted a resolution supporting a Complete Streets Policy. However, a strong policy is only the beginning of a longer process to reform street design practices. Transforming these practices is essential to making Complete Streets the default approach, guiding the selection and implementation of projects that create a comprehensive, safe, and efficient transportation network for everyone.

HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS UPDATE

The City remains committed to addressing homelessness through a collaborative community approach. At their August 19, 2024 meeting, the City Commission will receive an update from community stakeholders and City staff on the housing and homelessness challenges facing our community. This update will include a summary of facilitated stakeholder meetings, insights from the Housing + Homelessness Focus Group, and reports on public safety efforts involving the Traverse City Police Department and the Quick Response Team at the Pines. Additionally, there will be a discussion on chronic homelessness and the role of permanent supportive housing in addressing this issue.

MASTER PLAN ADOPTION CONSIDERATION

At their August 20, 2024 meeting, the Planning Commission will consider the adoption of the Master Plan by resolution.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft Master Plan on August 7, 2024, after the close of the mandatory 63-day public review period required by the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (MPEA). The MPEA requires that a Master Plan be adopted through resolution with at least 2/3 of the membership voting in the affirmative. Minor edits have been incorporated into the Master Plan based on feedback and discussions. 

WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT - WEEK OF AUGUST 19TH

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 April 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in October 2024.

The week of August 19th, the project will continue on the 600 block of Seventh Street, the 400, 500, and 600 blocks of W. Eighth Street, and the 200 and 300 blocks of W. Ninth Street. The work will cause sidewalk and intermittent street closures.

PILOT ARRANGEMENT CONSIDERED - 10200 E. CARTER ROAD

At their August 19, 2024 meeting, the City Commission will consider approving a 4% Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) arrangement from the Traverse City Housing Commission (TCHC) at 10200 E. Carter Road, known as Orchardview. The PILOT arrangement is proposed for a term of 45 years, and the units will be less than 60% AMI.

The project includes the rehabilitation of 21 existing townhomes, and the construction of two apartment buildings with 30 units. The 51 unit development will include the following.

• Fourteen (14) are one-bedroom apartments
• Sixteen (16) are two-bedroom apartments
• Sixteen (16) are three-bedroom townhomes
• Five (5) are four-bedroom townhomes

FISHPASS UPDATE

MAJOR CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Construction activities for the FishPass project are intensifying, with recent efforts including mobilization for sheet piling, the construction of a temporary dock, and the installation of a barge upstream of the dam.

Starting the week of August 19th, steel sheet piling currently stored on Airport Access Road will be delivered, and work on installing the upstream cofferdam will commence. Deliveries will take place at 6th Street, using Parking Lot J as the staging area. Temporary traffic controls, including flaggers, will be in place to manage traffic during these deliveries. Please note that the installation of sheet pilings will cause vibrations.

A time-lapse camera has been installed at River's Edge Condos to capture the progress of the FishPass Project. Live still images are available and updated every 5 minutes.

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.