Tonight the design team presented the future of the TC waterfront. The presentation was video’d and will be on www.upnorthmedia.org soon (we’ll let you know), and the slides will be on-line hopefully tomorrow (again, we’ll let you know).
Until then, here is a quick summary, starting west and moving east:
West End. From Division west to M-72 the plan will be to keep the natural beach (hopefully removing invasive plants at least), and restore a pocket-size sandy beach across from Elmwood, and an enhanced pedestrian crossing at Elmwood to get there. Also, the dirt trail N of the Parkway will be improved to a combination of TART trail and boardwalk over the rock rip rap where space is really tight.
Old power plant – Smith Barney. A playground structure near the parking lot by the old Smith Barney property, as well as a restroom/changing area. The old power plant property will be left open for things like soccer, Cherry Festival, Film Festival, and open views. The E section of that property could be recessed a couple feet, and the W section raised a couple feet, so that the grade where the open space is and the new grade would provide a natural type of performance space. In the winter, the recessed area could be flooded with water from the natural artesian spring that empties near the open space, and used for ice skating. There is enough room for free skating and hockey, and the slope of the open space would partially shelter the recessed area from the wind.
Zoo property/Clinch. This would be a family-oriented park. The entrance to Con Foster would be moved to the rear (N side) of the building. The artesian spring would be used to create a small winding creek through the old zoo. Some concession structures (kayaks, bikes, snacks) could be built on the N side of the property – these won’t impact views because there aren’t any across that property now due to the marina building and Con Foster building. To the E of Con Foster could be a natural children’s play area. In the elbow of the beach and the boat parking area is room for a small splash area using water from the spring and/or the bay. There is also room for an access ramp to the beach and water for those who are mobility challenged. The old wooden wall and juniper along the edge of Clinch beach would be replaced with a more people-friendly edge.
Holiday Inn area. A fishing pier would be built on the breakwall at the river, and extended to deeper water. The parking lot could be reoriented to provide more green park and picnic space along the water to the E of the hotel.
Grandview Parkway. Eventually MDOT and the city will want to look at roundabouts, but they are not contemplated as part of this phase of waterfront improvement. Reducing the heights of the light poles, trees in the median W of Divison, some enhanced crosswalks, a tunnel at the Warehouse District are all ways that access could be improved sooner. Bridges were ruled out because they would be expensive and block the view of the water.
The next step is a public presentation and review of engineered and designed plans from May 3 to June 4. We’ll have more info on that when available. For more info on the project, see this post and comments: http://planfortc.com/2009/12/04/opera-house-waterfront-sheriff-dogs/ or this recent Record Eagle story: http://www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_081072154.html. 9 & 10 news should have something on tonight as well.
10 comments
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April 2, 2010 at 7:22 am
John Hall
I’m vacationing on Grand Cayman right now. I’m driving on the left side of the road and using a lot of roundabouts. I’m noticing that I’m not stopping at red lights and waiting for nothing. The roundabouts here allow for traffic flow. Just my 2c.
April 4, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Tim Orthe
John, that’s way to laid back to even compare! Grand Cayman and Traverse City are worlds apart. That’s like comparing a retirement community with golf carts (Sun City, AZ) to TC..
Roundabouts are a sad no-win, non-fix for TC streets/Statehighways/US highways of which both Division and the Parkway are one in the same.
March 29, 2010 at 8:59 am
Bill Palladino
I simply want to say THANK YOU to the City for having the foresight and vision to hire Ian Lockwood and his team as consultants for the Bayfront and Division. The entire process over the past two weeks should be first applauded, then replicated in other venues in our community.
Cheers!
March 29, 2010 at 10:35 am
Gearge Preston
Bill, your usual lets all be bureaucrats style is shining through. Lots of talk of what otheres should do, but no real substance. Lets all hold hands and have a charet!
This could have been accomplished with a much more inclusive group and locally hired designers. And much more practical applications. Roundabouts are so laughabe.
March 26, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Tim Orthe
Will are you sure you have used roundabouts? Also, how long have you lived in Traverse City?
roundabouts are the biggest cause of fendrers of most all other traffic controls. The flow is questionable at best iof you don’t have to turn or egress and ingress under heavy flow strains.
Taking parkland on division or squishing the Bay front more just for the perceived beauty of a nutty roundabout is just silly. Puting tunnels under Grandview Parkway and Division is very sensible.
Go ride your bike around one in London or Provo Utah during the day with traffic, then come back (if you do at all) in one piece or two and discuss it.
March 26, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Will
I lived in Washington for 3 plus years as both a driver and a pedestrian commuting in traffic circles. I was born and raised in Traverse city and have lived here a total of 27 years. I am curious where you get your information on fenders? I would like to read your source. More information that is out there the better we can be informed!
March 27, 2010 at 1:50 am
Jordan Letish
March 25, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Mary Kitchener
Why are we not using more local well informed designers?
Who’s bright ideas were these “rounda-bouts” anyway?
Why does the city pussyfoot around with keeping the bay front looking crleaned and trimmed?
Are there representatives from the other communites along the west and north of Traverse invited to the whole design shabang?
Since it seems this slowing of the traffic and total aingst against cars (people with money in them) flow to more than just TC, they should be there with their voice too.
Just a few questions. Thank you
Mary
March 25, 2010 at 11:15 am
Del Kelch
This whole farce of a “design charet” is not very transparent. It’s the whims of the few being massaged so you can swallow this ’roundabaout” take more parkland and srewball tranportation ideas by those that want TC to be a closed town.
When you chase away the vehicle traffic don’t cry about the closed store fronts later on. Making it more difficult and confusing for people to travel thru TC than it already is becomes mind boggling. Where is the local, “live here-use it every day” consultants and designers?
March 25, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Will
Having lived and worked in a city for many years out west that uses roundabouts, I am all for them. There was a flow to traffic. It can handle more cars and move them across town easier and more efficient. I am happy that the city is considering this as an option. It will make cross town travel a lot more enjoyable.