Traverse City Neighborhoods

City of Traverse City Awarded a $2,352,200 MNRTF Grant
Funds to be used for Brown Bridge Quiet Area Land Acquisition

The City of Traverse City has been awarded a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grant in the amount of $2,352,200 to be used for land acquisition at the Brown Bridge Quiet Area.

The Brown Bridge Quiet Area is approximately 1,310 acres of City-owned property located 11 miles southeast of Traverse City within the Boardman/Ottaway River Watershed. The City obtained the property in the early 1900s. The property was established as a natural area for quiet recreation by the City Commission in the 1970s.

In 2023, the City was presented the opportunity to acquire 528 acres of land adjacent to the Brown Bridge Quiet Area for $3,098,445. The City Commission approved a resolution to apply for a MNRTF Grant in the amount of $2,352,200. At the November 2023 election, an overwhelming support of over 80% of City voters approved usage of the principal from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund to match the grant in an amount not to exceed $746,245.

Traverse City Mayor, Amy Shamroe stated, “We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant. The Brown Bridge Quiet Area has stood as a testament to our commitment to preserving natural beauty and fostering a haven for quiet recreation. This expansion is not just an acquisition of land; it's an investment in our community's well-being and the preservation of our natural heritage for generations to come.” Shamroe continued, “I extend my gratitude to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and our dedicated residents whose overwhelming support, demonstrated through the November 2023 election, has enabled the City to move forward. This milestone represents our collective dedication to environmental stewardship and the enhancement of outdoor experiences for the community.”

Upon acquisition, the Brown Bridge Quiet Area will expand to 1,838 acres for quiet recreation, with one of the newly acquired parcels encompassing 228 acres featuring Spring Lake, while the second, a 300-acre section, is part of the Traverse City Rotary Camps and Services property. Collaborating closely with the Brown Bridge Advisory Committee, the City is committed to reassessing the Management Plan, ensuring the thoughtful and sustainable use of these newly acquired lands.

The City partnered with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to secure the properties acquisition and to navigate the complexities of applying for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. This collaborative effort aims to develop efficient methodologies that align with conservation goals, preserving the natural integrity of these landscapes for the benefit of our community and future generations.

Glen Chow, Executive Director of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, states “It is our honor and pleasure to partner once again with the City of Traverse City to protect our region’s most precious natural resources. We are tremendously fortunate to live in a community that overwhelmingly supports these efforts and in the State of Michigan, where the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has provided more than $1.3 billion dollars to protect and provide access to the land and water in our state.”

N. Union St. Bridge Work

Traverse City – The City of Traverse City and Grand River Construction will be repairing portions of the N. Union St. bridge deck and pier. The project is expected to start Monday, August 28, 2023 and be finished by the end of the day on Thursday, August 31, 2023. The outside northbound and southbound lanes will be closed to traffic. Two-way traffic will be maintained over the bridge. The sidewalks on the bridge will be closed when workers are present and a pedestrian detour will be provided.

Please use alternate routes avoiding this area to reduce congestion, delay and promote worker safety. Appropriate signage and barricades will be in place in and around the work area.

This construction will generate dust, noise and cause inconvenience. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Please feel free to call Alexander Yockey,
Civil Engineer II, at (231) 922-4468 if you have any questions, comments or concerns about the work or the schedule.

Michigan Supreme Court Denies Leave to Appeal FishPass Case

On August 22, 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court denied leave to appeal in the FishPass case, which confirms the Court of Appeals decision and allows the City of Traverse City to implement the project. At issue in this lawsuit was whether the City Charter required a public vote prior to construction of the FishPass Project. The Court of Appeals unanimous ruling agreed with the City’s position and held that no public vote is required.

According to the Michigan Supreme Court, “The application for leave to appeal the October 20, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeals is considered, and it is denied, because we are not persuaded that the question presented should be reviewed by this Court.”
City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht who argued the City’s case before the Michigan Court of Appeals, indicated, “The Michigan Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Michigan Court of Appeals ruling regarding the FishPass project is indeed a positive development. This decision affirms the City's choice to implement the project, which aims to replace the aging Union Street Dam, protecting the health and safety of downtown Traverse City, while also restoring and improving the ecological health of the waterways in the area.”

The Michigan Court of Appeals decision did not address whether the property was actually parkland. Instead the Court held that assuming it was parkland a vote still would not be required under the City Charter. According to the Court’s opinion in October 2022, “…the Project will result in a net gain of parkland and more public use. The Property will remain a park under the Project.” Furthermore, “The trial court based its decision largely on the Project’s research elements, but occupying space on the Property for purposes of conducting research related to the passage of fish, which matter has been part of the operation of the Dam and a characteristic of the Property since the addition of the fish ladder in 1987, does not transform the park into something other than a park. Moreover, engaging in environmental research concerning the habitat of species found in the area has a natural connection to the Property’s purpose and use as a park. There is no evidence that the Project involves selling, exchanging, leasing, or alienating the Property. The City retains ownership of the Property throughout the duration of the Project. Authorizations to perform work or research on the Property do not entail the sale of the Property, an exchange of the Property, the leasing of the Property, or the alienation of the Property. At most, they convey a simple license.”

FishPass is the capstone of an approximately 20 year restoration project on the Boardman/Ottaway River, Traverse City, Michigan, re-connecting the river with Lake Michigan. In 2021, a required MDEQ Dam Safety Unit inspection was performed and indicated a downgraded rating from Good to Fair/Poor condition. FishPass will replace the deteriorating Union Street Dam with a new, complete barrier to all fish that will have the ability to sort and selectively pass desirable fishes while blocking harmful invaders like sea lamprey. While fully automated selective passage is the long-term goal of the project, passage of any fish during the initial 10 years will be coordinated with fishery management agencies, limited in number, and restricted to fishes native to the upper Great Lakes.
Traverse City Mayor, Richard Lewis stated, “We are committed to working closely with our partners to ensure the effective implementation of FishPass, and we are confident that this project will deliver significant benefits for years to come. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that FishPass will have on the Boardman/Ottaway River. ”

“FishPass is an innovative project that is set to transform the way we manage and protect our waterways. The City and its partners have worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition, and are extremely happy about this decision. This state of the art project is designed to selectively pass fish and protect the Boardman/Ottaway River, providing a sustainable solution that benefits both the environment and the community. By creating a safe and secure passage for fish to navigate through, we are helping to provide access to the habitat that has already been restored through the Boardman/Ottaway River Restoration project. This decision is a huge step forward ensuring the health of our waters and the safety and wellbeing of our community for future generations,” said Department of Public Services Director Frank Dituri.

DPS to Conduct Brush Only Pick Up Due to Storm Damage

Traverse City – City residents should be aware that the City’s Department of Public Services (DPS) will conduct a special brush pick up in response to the August 3, 2023 storm that resulted in downed trees and branches throughout the City. The special pick up is for brush resulting from the storm only. Leaves and yard waste will not be picked up.

As the City completes an assessment and maintenance of downed trees on public land, parks, and within the right of way, the special brush pick up will begin on Monday, August 14, 2023.

All brush should be placed no later than August 13, 2023. Two crews (DPS Parks and Streets Divisions) will work from both the east and west side of the City and make one pass only. Brush may be placed in the alley or tree lawn, behind the curb or pavement edge of the street.

We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Please feel free to contact Michelle Hunt at (231) 922-4900 if you have any questions, comments or concerns about the work or the schedule.