Traverse City Ticker

03/08/2025

Despite some recent miscommunication at the state level over a $2 million grant intended to help fund the transformation of the former Pugsley Correctional Facility, Fife Lake Township Supervisor Lisa Leedy says everything is on track for the ambitious redevelopment project.

Despite some recent miscommunication at the state level over a $2 million grant intended to help fund the transformation of the former Pugsley Correctional Facility, Fife Lake Township Supervisor Lisa Leedy says everything is on track for the ambitious redevelopment project. Last summer, The Ticker....

03/07/2025

Traverse City commissioners voted this week to move forward with design work for safety improvements on a stretch of West Front Street that's been the site of multiple accidents in recent years.

Traverse City commissioners voted this week to move forward with design work for safety improvements on a stretch of West Front Street that's been the site of multiple accidents in recent years. Commissioners voted 5-2 - with Commissioners Tim Werner and Jackie Anderson opposed - to approve spendi....

03/07/2025

Recent changes in Michigan allowing brownfield funding to be used for workforce housing could soon bring 375 new rental units online in Grand Traverse County. East Bay Township planning commissioners approved a site plan Tuesday for a 240-unit workforce apartment complex to be built on Three Mile Road, while the Grand Traverse County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved a brownfield plan for 135 workforce apartments to be added to the Oak Shore Commons development in Acme Township.

Recent changes in Michigan allowing brownfield funding to be used for workforce housing could soon bring 375 new rental units online in Grand Traverse County. East Bay Township planning commissioners approved a site plan Tuesday for a 240-unit workforce apartment complex to be built on Three Mile Ro...

03/06/2025

FYI

03/06/2025

FYI

All TCAPS schools are closed today, Thursday, March 6, 2025 due to inclement weather. Students in Michigan Virtual, Acellus or Dual Enrollment classes should follow the direction of the instructors for those programs.

For more information on snow days, including how they are communicated, how decisions are made, or how TCAPS staff and families can sign up for text alerts, go to www.tcaps.net/alerts.

03/06/2025

A 1.8-acre parcel on J. Maddy Parkway could be transformed into a “vibrant community hub” with food trucks, a small nature preserve with scenic micro-trails, space for local artists and vendors, and live music and community events, according to owner Toby Dunne. Dunne, who purchased the property in late 2024 with his wife Joelle under Michigan Impossible LLC, plans to anchor the site with his own De Food Truck and is working through the Green Lake Township approval process.

A 1.8-acre parcel on J. Maddy Parkway could be transformed into a “vibrant community hub” with food trucks, a small nature preserve with scenic micro-trails, space for local artists and vendors, and live music and community events, according to owner Toby Dunne. Dunne, who purchased the property...

03/05/2025

The City of Traverse City will wrap up the ski season at Hickory Hills with its annual Slush Cup event on Sunday, March 16 - the "grand finale" of the winter season.

The City of Traverse City will wrap up the ski season at Hickory Hills with its annual Slush Cup event on Sunday, March 16 - the

03/05/2025

The Traverse City Comedy Fest this week released its full schedule of events for the 2025 festival – featuring dozens of comedians from across the country and events ranging from improv and roast battles to all-star showcases and stand-up sets on April 10-12, 2025 in Traverse City.

The Traverse City Comedy Fest this week released its full schedule of events for the 2025 festival – featuring dozens of comedians from across the country and events ranging from improv and roast battles to all-star showcases and stand-up sets on April 10-12, 2025 in Traverse City. The festival w....

03/05/2025

Northwest Education Services (North Ed), in collaboration with Traverse Connect and TBA Credit Union, is seeking nominations from the community and school districts in the five-county region for outstanding educators, administrators and educational support staff.

Northwest Education Services (North Ed), in collaboration with Traverse Connect and TBA Credit Union, is seeking nominations from the community and school districts in the five-county region for outstanding educators, administrators and educational support staff. Since 1984, the Outstanding Educator...

03/05/2025

TCAPS trustees winnowed a field of 10 applicants down to four finalists to be publicly interviewed Monday for a vacant board seat. Trustees are expected to choose their appointee that same night, as the board is under a legal deadline to fill the vacancy after Trustee Andrew Raymond stepped down last month.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) trustees winnowed a field of 10 applicants down to four finalists to be publicly interviewed Monday for a vacant board seat. Trustees are expected to choose their appointee that same night, as the board is under a legal deadline to fill the vacancy after Tru...

03/04/2025

Traverse City planning commissioners will tackle a trio of housing-related issues at their meeting tonight, including holding a public hearing on zoning changes to allow more density in certain residential neighborhoods, continuing discussion on short-term rental rules, and getting a first look at Safe Harbor’s permit request to expand to year-round operations.

Traverse City planning commissioners will tackle a trio of housing-related issues at their 6pm meeting tonight (Tuesday), including holding a public hearing on zoning changes to allow more density in certain residential neighborhoods, continuing discussion on short-term rental rules, and getting a f...

03/03/2025

FYI

03/03/2025

Traverse City commissioners will receive an update tonight on an estimated $41 million project to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant – planned to be funded through a low-interest state loan and possible city bonds and repaid over two decades through sewer fees. Construction is planned to start this fall and last through summer 2028.

Traverse City commissioners will receive an update tonight (Monday) on an estimated $41 million project to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant – planned to be funded through a low-interest state loan and possible city bonds and repaid over two decades through sewer fees. Construction i...

03/02/2025

In 2024, Leelanau Investing For Teens (LIFT), a nonprofit offering after-school programs, served over 430 students, marshalling 128 volunteers to offer activities on more than 260 days of the year. Jay Berger wants to bring a similar model to Traverse City, with the goal of engaging at-risk youth – and potentially even averting future tragedy.

In 2024, Leelanau Investing For Teens (LIFT), a nonprofit offering after-school programs, served over 430 students, marshalling 128 volunteers to offer activities on more than 260 days of the year. Jay Berger wants to bring a similar model to Traverse City, with the goal of engaging at-risk youth .....

03/01/2025

The late Robert Huff is honored by a mannequin dressed as a bride in the tower of Bonnie Sobbry’s Victorian home on Sixth Street - an item that over the course of two decades has become one of Traverse City’s most talked about attractions.

The dreams began for Bonnie Sobbry at a young age. Maybe they were influenced by her strong love of various English novels. Perhaps they came from someplace else, or no particular place at all. Either way, there they were – vivid images of a woman in a tower. Sometimes it was a castle tower, other...

02/28/2025

FYI

Last day for three community surveys! 🙌

Parks Survey - Tell us about improvements to City Parks and access to City Parks for a potential Brown Bridge Trust Fund proposal on the November 2025 ballot. One question, super fast to take!

👉https://bit.ly/4jJ9uwT

Strategic Planning Survey - Take the first community survey about the City's future. Put aside about 10 minutes and give this one some thought.

👉https://www.research.net/r/TCCommunitySurvey1

Imagine Rotary Square - Provide your input on the development of Rotary Square in Downtown TC! Easy...lots of multiple choice!

👉https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8121875/Rotary-Square-Community-Survey

02/28/2025

Grand Traverse County commissioners are honing in on a new ethics policy that could more clearly define expectations for how county employees, appointees, and elected officials – including commissioners – should behave and establish a process for addressing violations. In other county news, commissioners recently green-lit a new county septic ordinance – which will next go to a public hearing process for input – and heard an update Wednesday on the county’s ongoing lawsuit with BATA.

Grand Traverse County commissioners are honing in on a new ethics policy that could more clearly define expectations for how county employees, appointees, and elected officials – including commissioners – should behave and establish a process for addressing violations. In other county news, comm...

02/27/2025

Traverse City commissioners will vote Monday on safety improvements to a curved stretch of West Front Street that’s experienced multiple accidents – revisiting a split vote from last summer that narrowly failed to fund the upgrades. While some commissioners this week criticized a recommendation to remove planters from the road median and install guardrail along the curve, City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht cautioned that ignoring the safety recommendations could expose the city to liability.

Traverse City commissioners will vote Monday on safety improvements to a curved stretch of West Front Street that’s experienced multiple accidents – revisiting a split vote from last summer that narrowly failed to fund the upgrades. While some commissioners this week criticized a recommendation ...