Traverse City News and Events

$1 Million Grant Paves Way For Downtown Traverse City Square

By Ross Boissoneau | Aug. 29, 2018

Rotary Charities has awarded a grant of $1 million to the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which will be used to develop Rotary Square. Rotary Square will serve as a gathering space in the heart of downtown, transforming two connected parking lots at the northeast corner of Cass and State streets into a public plaza which will host social and cultural events year-round.

“The Civic Square has been identified within the DDA Plan for over 25 years, and with Rotary’s Charities awarding this legacy project, the civic square will be a reality,” says DDA CEO Jean Derenzy.

Rotary has invested for decades in spaces for celebration and education, from the Park Place and the State Theater to the construction of the Great Lakes Campus and Discovery Pier. Rotary Square will mark Rotary’s 100th year of service to the region and in part will celebrate J.T. Milliken, the first president of Rotary Club.

“We are very proud of our 100-year legacy as the Rotary Club of Traverse City. We couldn’t imagine a better way to honor our history than to create a community asset in the old Milliken’s parking lot,” says Beth Karczewski, Chair of the Centennial Grant Committee, which had previously narrowed the options for the grant to two options.

The DDA is committed to an ongoing, community-led design process that will allow citizens to decide how the civic square will be used now and in the future. In addition to providing casual space to share lunch with friends or read a book, proposed events include an ice-skating rink, Santa’s arrival, and art installations. 

Comment

City, Garfield Township Work Toward Water Solutions

Read More >>

GT Conservation District’s Big Year: New Boardman Bridge, Incubator Farm Expansion & Education Reserve Improvements

Read More >>

'Open Ship' At The Great Lakes Maritime Academy

Read More >>

Trouble Brewing: Local Construction Numbers, Plus Controversial Trump Policies, Spell Turbulence For Residential Development

Read More >>

Longtime Favorite Tuscan Bistro Returns (Sort of)

Read More >>

Munson Medical Center Lands Multiple ‘Best Hospitals’ Honors From Women’s Choice Health

Read More >>

Local Company Wants To Bring More 'Age-In-Place-Friendly' Housing To Traverse City

Read More >>

Meijer Planning New Traverse City Store

Read More >>

'My Love Letter To The Community:' Local Mom Logs Long Hours Compiling Kid-Friendly Events

Read More >>

A Tale Of Two Winters: From Record Warm Temperatures To Eight Snow Days

Read More >>

Bergman Town Hall Draws Hundreds Of Constituents...But No Bergman

Read More >>

Your Staycation Itinerary

Read More >>

TADL Board Denies Book Removal Request

Read More >>

County Commissioners Support VASA & AcenTek Expansion Projects, Workforce Housing, Jail Contracts

Read More >>