Traverse City commissioners will tackle a busy agenda Monday that includes an update and discussion on the two-way conversion of State and Pine Streets and Boardman Avenue, a cost-sharing agreement with Grand Traverse County to increase security at the Governmental Center, and a resolution in support of a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

Two-Way Streets
Commissioners will receive an update Monday on the two-way conversion of State Street, Pine Street, and Boardman Avenue – a two-year pilot project that was approved and started in late 2022 with the goal of slowing vehicle speeds, improving pedestrian crossings, and offering better grid connectivity and detour routes downtown during construction.

Representatives from project consultant Progressive AE will be in attendance Monday to present data so far on the pilot project. Turning movement and speed data were collected in March, May, July, and October of 2023 and will be tracked again in the same time periods this year to provide year-to-year comparisons (data was also collected prior to the conversion). According to presentation materials, vehicle speeds have slightly decreased while traffic volumes have increased “significantly” on State Street since its conversion. Eastbound traffic is approximately three times higher than westbound traffic.

Progressive AE said the conversion has been “generally well received by the public” based on comments submitted to the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Additionally, 20 of 180 households in Boardman Neighborhood responded to a mailed survey postcard about the pilot, with those results “mixed,” according to TC DDA Interim CEO Harry Burkholder. While winter maintenance concerns “were less pronounced than expected” on a two-way State Street, Progressive AE also acknowledged Traverse City had an unusually warm winter this year without many significant snowfall events. “General sentiment is that the conversion has been reasonable, but equipment issues or a major snowfall event could result in not having downtown cleared before businesses open,” the firm wrote.

The city also made improvements over the last year to support the pilot project. Those included painted bumpouts to narrow and bring visual attention to certain intersections (like Boardman and Front), bagging a handful of parking spots at key locations to reduce traffic conflicts, and adding new directional arrows, lane markers, and signage at the State and Cass intersection. That intersection still causes confusion in drivers between its through and turn lanes. Progressive AE said that in addition to data collection, the project team this year would be paying particular attention to the State/Cass, State/Union, and Pine/Front intersections.

Governmental Center Security
Traverse City commissioners will vote Monday on spending up to $26,000 annually as part of a cost-sharing agreement with Grand Traverse County for increased security at the Governmental Center. Both county and city employees, who share the building, have raised concerns about safety there – particularly over unfettered access to staff and the lack of guards, metal detectors, or other security on the building’s open-format first floor.

A building safety team comprised of both county and city department heads is recommending adding a contracted security guard from STT Security, which already provides security in the district and circuit court buildings. Such a solution could be implemented quickly to “alleviate staff concerns, allowing the safety team and leadership further time to assess additional options for building security,” the team wrote in a joint memo. Officials added that a security officer is not the final word on safety improvements in the building, but would give the team “time to compare additional options” – some of which could be Governmental Center renovations recommended in a new city-county facilities master plan.

The county and city would split the costs for the STT Security contract, as they do for other building expenses. The city’s portion would be $500 weekly, or up to $26,000 annually. The safety team noted that they “respect the public-facing aspect of the position and the location of the desk the security guard would be sitting at. If approved, we will partner with STT to ensure the guest service expectations of the role are fulfilled, including but not limited to the notifying of leadership, when appropriate, of any concerning individuals who are entering the building.”

Ceasefire Resolution
Commissioners Monday will consider approving a resolution in support of ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. The resolution, drafted and already approved by the Traverse City Human Rights Commission, states that “the recent and ongoing armed violence has resulted in the tragic loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives.” The Human Rights Commission “recognizes Traverse City as a globally connected community, enriched by a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse community that continually stands on the side of human rights, peace, and justice and has historically welcomed those fleeing violence and war,” the resolution states.

According to the resolution, the Human Rights Commission “stands committed to the notion that all human life is precious in all communities and nations of the world regardless of national, ethnic, political, or religious affiliations.” The language continues: “Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli bigotry have risen considerably across the U.S. and the world, with direct impacts on our culturally diverse community in Traverse City.” Since the U.S. government “holds great diplomatic power that could save Palestinian and Israeli lives, the Human Rights Commission urges officials to prioritize the preservation of life,” the resolution states, joining the calls “from the growing number of cities across the world for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, and the safe return of all innocent hostages and detainees.”