We must fix our infrastructure. We neglected streets, sidewalks, and bridges for too long. Now we find ourselves in a hole, and we have to dig out. To do that, we have to make infrastructure spending a priority, not the thing we spend money on once everything else is funded.
We are doing better on this front than we used to. Where just two years ago we budgeted $100,000 for street repairs, this past year we budgeted about $1.2 million. We committed 10% of that to sidewalks, rather than asking residents to pay for sidewalk repair through assessments.
To get to a point where infrastructure funding can be stabilized, however, we need to spend $2 million a year for the foreseeable future. That’s a big number if you compare it to what we’ve spent in years past. On the other hand, it is less than 15% of the city’s $14.5 million general fund budget. This will require cuts elsewhere, but a city should spend at least 15% of our money maintaining the infrastructure we all use. That is one of the city’s most fundamental functions.
When we make this investment, we need to do it right. We need to include sidewalks, bike lanes, and safe crosswalks on all streets, and traffic calming measures on neighborhood streets. This topic is discussed in the section of this plan on transportation choices.
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October 17, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Barbara J. Bradford
Congratulations on the bid for the mayor’s office, Mr. Chris Bzdok, I do not live in Traverse City, although the Bradford Families were always involved and lived there forever. Our families were part of the history of the Record Eagle; a Bradford Shoes in downtown, a very wonderful history is that of the Norris School. Our family heritage is and was to grant the land for the first Norris School.
“The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center”
Since it first opened on Christmas Day, 1936, the Rink has attracted over a quarter million people each year. The Rink is open from October to April. The skating surface is 122 feet long and 59 feet wide and can accommodate only 150 skaters at one time.
The Rink accepts CASH ONLY. No reservations.
Why not a wonderful addition of a rink to the open space park, and for the CHRISTMAS TREE every year. An “event” to celebrate the tree lighting and the music to go with the spirit for the winter season. An ice event, musical or special to winter seasons, done outdoor style! Ice Sculptures as in Plymouth, Mi.
As St. Ste. Marie has the Bon Soo Festival each January, , we are more than a Cherry Festival. For those wishing one or two festivals a year, think bigger. Diverse ages deserves more than involvement of ages 15-40!
A “roller rink” of a year around activity. All activities that may not cost an arm and a leg, yet get the kids and folks all doing some fun exercise.
These were the history of yesterday in Traverse City. Parks had small skating ponds across Traverse City area.. The roller rink was on State Street I think by the bus depot.
Also, when Mr. Tom Menzel thought advertising might be appropriate for the buses or the waiting zone areas, it was shot down before a discussion was even brought forward. I happen to think (N.Y. City and others) that as we emulate these cities, why not advertising, done nicely, on the Chariot for only City Center Businesses would create both a revenue to the job you gave him to do, but also advertising on Bata to include the outer areas of businesses that the busses cover, doing the same thing! Revenue to the operation to keep the cost to the customer at a minimum.
Barbara J. Bradford
P.O. Box 884
Bellaire, Mi. 49615
October 17, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Chris Bzdok
Thanks for the question. A draft list of streets for next year is being created, and should be available in a couple weeks. When it is, I’ll post it here.
October 16, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Aaron Mansfield
Just wondering if there is a planned list of infrastructure improvements? Specifically, improving dirt roads within City Limits, such as Plainview Street, off of Hastings.
Thank you.