MASTER PLAN & MOBILITY ACTION PLAN UPDATE

SECOND SURVEY NOW OPEN

The City of Traverse City extends their gratitude to the community members who are engaging in the ongoing Master Plan and Mobility Action Plan projects. The Master Plan sets the future land use vision for Traverse City and the Mobility Action Plan provides a vision for how people will get around, taking a deeper dive into the topic of transportation with the intent of improving the city’s mobility network through street and safety improvements.

First Phase Community Engagement (September - October)

• 1,910 community members took the first online survey
• 65 people representing community organizations attended listening sessions
• Over 400 people participated in 24 pop-up events
• 134 people attended the first open house

A comprehensive report summarizing emerging themes from these early engagement activities is being prepared and will be released to the public in December 2022. 

To receive an email with this report when it is available, community members are encouraged to sign up for project updates at either project site: Master Plan or Mobility Action Plan.

Second Online Survey Open

The City is concluding this first phase of engagement with an online survey for people who were unable to attend the open house, or for people who did attend the open house and wish to provide feedback on the event. For those unable to attend the open house, an opportunity to provide input on preserving, enhancing, or transforming various areas of the City will be asked in the survey. All responses will be kept anonymous. The survey is available until Sunday, November 20th.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER WALTER - NEXT STEPS

The City extends a big thank you to Ashlea Walter for serving the City as a City Commissioner since 2019. Commissioner Walter has formally submitted her resignation after being elected to serve on the Grand Traverse County Commission at the November 8, 2022 General Election. However, she will continue serving on the City Commission until December 31, and assume her seat on the County Board on January 1st.

Next Steps

Because the soonest voters could elect someone to serve in the vacant seat, is May 2, 2023, and the individual would have just approximately six months to serve, it is being recommended to the City Commission to fill the entirety of Commissioner Walter's term by appointing a registered city voter to the seat. This would allow for an individual to serve for approximately 11 months. The City Commission will consider the next steps regarding the upcoming vacant seat at their November 14th meeting.

TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT STUDY

The DDA recently updated the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Study with the goal to identify opportunities to decrease demand in high impact areas, use underutilized areas to meet the needs for future infill development, and increase mobility options for all users.

The revised report includes new recommendations based on changes that have occurred in the Downtown area and the post-pandemic demand.

Quick Wins (1-2 Years)

• Create Flex-Use Loading Zones in Key Locations
• Expand Employee Parking Options
• Vary Monthly Permit Rates by Season
• Create Digital Validation Program
• Continue to Update the Performance Based Management approach
• Continue to Emphasize Mobility Investments as a Key to Effective Parking Management

Short Term Priorities (2-5 Years)

• Refine Resident Permit Parking Program
• Adjust Meter-Enforcement Schedules
• Develop a Plan for Supporting Future of Consolidated Parking
• Complete a First/Last-Mile Alternatives Analysis

UTILITY BILL SEPARATION COMING DECEMBER 2022

Going into effect with the December 2022 billing cycle, utility customers with the City of Traverse City will receive a water/sewer bill from the City and an electric and TCLPfiber (for those who have subscribed) bill from Traverse City Light & Power. 

The current bill that contains all utilities on one, will become two. 

Both entities are upgrading to new utility billing systems with increased user-friendly customer portals and service offerings. The separation of the billing systems will create operational efficiencies and ease of the customer’s ability to read and understand their utility usage.

The first cycle of separated utility bills will arrive in the mail for all customers in December. There will be no electronic statements. Instructions will be included on how to read your bill as well as how to enroll in the new customer portals.

STATE, BOARDMAN, AND PINE TWO-WAY PILOT

CONVERSION SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE

The transition of State Street, Pine Street, and Boardman Avenue from one-way traffic to two-way traffic is substantially complete. Front Street remains one-way.

Key Factors for Success

The DDA and City will be measuring several factors to determine if the two-way pilot project is successful, including:

• Pedestrian Volumes
• Bicycle Volumes
• Crash Data
• Traffic Speeds
• Traffic Volumes

At the end of the two-year pilot, it will be determined if two-way traffic will remain permanent or if the pilot should be extended for further study and evaluation. 

As part of the project, the DDA has committed to continually reaching out to business owners and residents of Downtown, and the surrounding neighborhoods to gain feedback. In addition, as the two-way conversion is experienced, users may provide suggestions at two-way@downtownc.com

USPS Mailbox Relocation

The drive-up mailbox on State Street has been relocated to Lot E, the parking lot behind the Post Office building, and will continue to function as drive-up.

The Boardman Avenue mailbox near E. Front Street will now operate as a walk-up.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Give these folks (your neighbors, friends, and fellow community members) a high five for serving as election workers for the City at the November 8, 2022 General Election!

Thank you to all of our election workers! We can't do it without you!