ANNIKA PLACE BREAKS GROUND

53 UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY

In 2021, the City Commission approved a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for the affordable housing development, Annika Place, located at 947 S. Garfield Avenue.

The City joined Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. at a ceremonial groundbreaking for Annika Place on Thursday, December 2, 2022. The development consists of the demolition of two existing homes and the construction of a 54,310 square foot, four-story building with 53 residential units targeting singles, families, and seniors. The $17.4 million investment will provide 29 one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom apartments offering affordable rental rates for residents that earn 30% to 80% area median income. Rental rates are projected to range from $360 to $1125 per month depending on the income restriction and size of the unit. Rental assistance vouchers for eight units will be provided by Traverse City Housing Commission.

Identifying the need for housing for the many who serve in the US Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City, Woda Cooper has worked closely with the US Coast Guard to provide housing support. In addition, Annika Place will honor the memory of Coast Guardsman Douglas Munro by featuring a special lighted flagpole and naming of the property’s community room. Signalman First Class Munro lost his life at the Guadalcanal on September 27, 1942, as a result of heroic measures with his Higgins boat that shielded and saved the lives of 500 marines. He is the only Coast Guard member to receive the Medal of Honor.

In addition to the PILOT approved by the City of Traverse City, Annika Place is made possible with funding supported by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

The City Commission's 2022 adopted their Goals and Objectives identified housing and homelessness as a strategic priority with a goal to increase opportunities for more diverse housing through public and private options.

ARPA FUNDS ALLOCATION APPROVED

The City Commission approved the allocation of the $1,653,886 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received at their November 21, 2022 meeting. Allocations previously approved included approximately $113,000 for a $500 per employee stipend and $200,000 for trees to be planted within the City, leaving an unallocated balance of $1,340,886. After discussions at multiple meetings, the remainder of the funds were approved to be dispersed as follows.

1. Gender neutral restrooms and sleeping quarters at Fire Station(s) ($150,000)
2. Jubilee House Day Shelter ($20K for each of two years, with a $20k grant request for each of two years, for a total of $40,000)
3. Senior Center Building ($500,000)
4. Grant Writer Services ($75,000)
5. Sanitary Sewer Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Implementation Plan ($250,000)

The balance of $325,886 must be allocated by December 31, 2024. All allocated funds must be spent by December 31, 2026. 

TART TRAIL IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION

At their November 21, 2022 meeting, the City Commission approved awarding an agreement for design services for the TART Trail Improvement & Extension Project, located between West End Beach and the intersection of Garfield Avenue/US 37 and Eastern Avenue, located within the City of Traverse City. The project is being targeted to align with MDOT's Grandview Parkway Project in 2024.

The concept plan proposes expanding the trail width to 16 feet, with 10 feet dedicated to bi-directional bicycle use, and six feet dedicated to pedestrian use. The added width will address the capacity limitations and marking the pavement to separate pedestrians and bicyclists will address user conflicts by creating space for the modes which operate at different speeds.

The improvements encompass a non-motorized trail that serves as the confluence of the regional trail network for transportation and recreational users, providing a junction for the TART Trail, Leelanau Trail, and Boardman Lake Loop Trail. 

CITY COMMISSION APPLICANTS FOR COMMISSIONER WALTER'S SEAT

ELEVEN INDIVIDUALS SEEK INTEREST

The City of Traverse City has received 11 applicants for the remainder of Commissioner Ashlea Walter’s term through November 13, 2023. 

Walter, who has served as a City Commissioner since 2019, was recently elected to the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners to represent District 3 at the November 8, 2022 General Election. She has submitted her formal resignation and will continue serving on the City Commission through December 31, 2022. Walter will assume her seat on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners on January 1, 2023.

Those seeking interest were invited to submit a letter of interest, and resume, to the City Clerk, with such to be received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Individuals were required to be a resident of the City of Traverse City, be a registered voter for at least 30 continuous days prior to the appointment, and not be in default to the City. The applicants are as follows:

• Vicki Armour
• Gretchen Carr
• Kenneth Funk
• Gary Howe
• Caroline Kennedy
• Linda Koebert
• Amy Kolden
• Jason Lawrence
• Brian McGillivary
• Merek Roman
• Barb Willing

Interviews will be conducted so that the City Commission as a whole will interview each candidate individually on December 14, 2022 at 7 p.m. Interviews will be open to the public, televised, and streamed through the City’s current methods used for City Commission meetings.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Members of the City Commission and Traverse City Light & Power participating in the Downtown Light Parade!