MyWHaT

Announcement

Scouting out the park.

The volunteers for Traverse City’s first dog park deserve a round of applause of hands and paws! Since January, volunteers have raised over $13,000 towards the $15,000 needed to establish a dog park at the corner of Cypress St. and Division St. They will have an opportunity to take a bow this Saturday night at the Sola Gratia concert benefit series featuring Ghost Heart, an emerging band from Grand Rapids. With a hypnotic stage presence, Ghost heart plays “captivating, expansive, rock songs” with full ranging vocals and tribal beats.

Have a listen:

The gathering will be held in SoFo at The Circuit, a new venue on 14th St. and starts at 5:30 with soup & bread by donation. The music starts at 6-pm with local beagle favorite Pat Ivory on his lap-style resonator guitar. Tickets are $15 (kids free) and are available at the door or at Oryana and the D.O.G Bakery. There’s more information about the event here. Sorry, the canines need to sit this one out.

Come celebrate with us!

We are hoping that contributions between now and the end of the concert will launch us well-over the goal so that the City can shift efforts towards breaking ground late spring.

For more information about the dog park and how to contribute, visit tcdogpark.com. You may also download donation forms here (personal) and here (business) and bring them with you Saturday night.

In anticipation, the beagles requested a scouting trip to the future dog park…the younger pup was vocal with excitment and the elder beagle had to be dragged away…See you Saturday!

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Help induce cartwheels:

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Announcement

Complete consideration

Traverse City Light & Power will begin work on the final phase of the Bay Street Undergrounding Project on Monday, March 26 (TCLP). The project involves removing the overhead electric facilities along portions of Bay Street, across from West Bay, and placing them underground.

The area is going to be tore-up until the project is completed in July, so be aware and use caution.

If you recall last year, there were a couple of snafus in this area (MW). As one of the most highly traversed areas for people on foot and bicycle it is good to see it clearly stated in their press release that, “all bike and pedestrian crosswalks across Division Street and the Grandview Parkway will remain open” during construction. Portions of Bay Street itself will be closed as well as the parking lot at Veteran’s Park. There is park parking in a section of the church parking lot. The park provides tennis courts, a playground, bathrooms, and is slated to host the City’s first dog park (FB) beginning this May/June.

For TCLP’s full press release go here (TCLP).

Thank you for the service, and the attention to details, TCLP.

Clinch Phase I

We also extend an additional thank you to TCLP for their continued commitment to the bayfront improvement plan. In addition to moving forward with their undergrounding projects, earlier in March the TCLP Board approved a $1-million contribution to phase I of the 2012 construction of Clinch Park (REagle).

This contribution expands the project from what was earlier budgeted with contributions from the Downtown Development Authority, DTE, a Natural trust Fund Grant, and other sources. The 2012 project is now budgeted for $2.6 million. Phase I is set to include a public plaza, restrooms, a play area & water feature, landscaping, and re-completion of the multi-use trail through the park.

Evolving information can be found at the City’s website via the Planning Department.

Thank you TCLP. Happy 100th anniversary!

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At least you have roads…

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This morning, the Ticker announced the latest from the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and TART Trails concerning the US-31 corridor between Traverse City and Elk Rapids (T). The two organizations have partnered on an online survey to better gauge current awareness, uses, and future desires for the corridor. It’s painless; please share with them your insight here.

Community Recreational Survey

Weekly Chatter? Hit the MyWHaT Tumblr…mountain bikers, electric bikes, socialized ice cream…

Announcement 

If it feels like May and it is still only March, what are you supposed to do? Roll with it. The 80 degree weather this week must have inspired the director of festivities for the Tweed Ride TC this week. Sir Owen sent in the following message:

We’ve got the wheels rolling again for the Tweed Ride again and hope that you’ll be joining us! Thanks for the shoutout on the blog a few weeks ago, as it gave us a little kick in the pants to get to work.

Following on the success on both last year’s Tweed Ride TC, and the Summer’s Seersucker Ride TC, we’ll again come together for a social and short bicycle tour of Traverse City’s downtown neighborhoods done in vintage style. After circling back towards the Bayshore, this year’s post-ride social will be held at The Outre Lounge at InsideOut Gallery in the Warehouse District.

So, it is still 2 months away, but it’s never too early to prepare your tweed.

More information at  www.tweedridetc.com

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Support this blogger raise his tweed cred,

$ donations or hand-me-downs appreciated.

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A big shout howl-out of gratitude to the band of volunteers raising money on behalf of the City for Traverse City’s first off-leash dog park–Thank you!

As of the beginning of the week, $12,100 has been raised through direct asks, the TC Dog Park website, and one festive “Mardi Paws“(FB) event hosted by Lil Bo Bar and Grill–good stuff! The goal is to have at least $16,000 raised by the end of the March as we move towards final preparations for a month of May installation.

According to Trust for Public Land, dog parks are the fastest growing type of park in the United States increasing 34% over the last 5 years (USAToday) while parkland in general only increased 3%. 46 million American households own at least one dog.

We don’t have an official count of households in our corner of the State, but as the positive response so far suggests, we certainly love the four-legged creatures we have. And, more importantly, we value public spaces that bring us bipedals together around shared interests. The social capital that is to be fostered at this park is key component to the park’s future success. Dog parks are about people, people. 

If you intend on utilizing this park or simply look forward to seeing it enjoyed, please consider sending in a $10, $20, or more donation. You can download the appropriate forms for the tax-deductible gift as an individual donor (PDF) or a business donor (PDF).

Woof! 

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In other park news, there is a Traverse City Parks and Recreation Commission meeting tonight (Scribd) at 6:30 in the Governmental Center. There is a lot on the agenda, so take a look at the agenda and see what peaks your interest. You can reach all of the P& R commissioners through the contact page. In particular, if you see something you support and want to help, let us know. Of course, let us know if you don’t support something as well. More importantly, visit a park today, if even for a moment.

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Thank you for supporting this blog.

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Proposed Clinch Park Plaza looking onto natural play area (Hamilton-Anderson).

Tonight Traverse City Light and Power Board (TCLP) is considering making a $1-million contribution towards the City’s 2012 Bayfront project at Clinch Park. It is a big-chunk-of-change and the board showed due diligence by requesting more time to process this request by the City Commission after it was first put before them on Valentine’s Day.

Since that point, the board has worked with staff, both on TCLP and at the City, to clarify what exactly TCLP’s contribution would fund. The big items TCLP is being asked to fund are the plaza area, grade terracing near the beach, and complete rerouting of the multi-use trail. View the current mock-ups here (PDF).

Unfortunately, sour politics have muddled the process and made this collaborative effort more contentious than necessary (REagle).  It needs to be noted, the majority of board members expressed a willingness to work with the City and they recognize that TCLP’s contribution couldn’t come at a better time for the bayfront project. Their questions were more about “how” and “what”, than “if”.

The first phase of the bayfront needs to be as complete and compelling as possible, and unfortunately the $1.6 million budget now allocated isn’t enough to do that. It wouldn’t be enough no matter who was hired or worked on it; projects like the bayfront cost money and require professional services beyond the scope of City staff. Having TCLP join the project will provide much-needed momentum for this first phase and, hopefully, the interest and vision needed to move forward on future phases.

As I’ve shared with the TCLP board, despite processes not always being to our liking, we need to ask ourselves if we can improve upon what is brought before us. As someone who has put in countless hours in meetings concerning the bayfront and as a rate-payer, I support their effort and willingness to improving the bayfront project, however they see fit.

Tonight’s meeting is at 5:15 at the Governmental Center.

As always, I invite your comments and feedback on this issue below. 

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* The Record Eagle editorial from Feb. 19th (RE) did a nice job of laying out the current questions.

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The Pedestrian Ninjas need your help…thank you.

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Who has the skinny on Acme Township’s Village at Grant Traverse Meijer project?

Any projections on the impact to the region? What is there to love about the project? Why is the central park stuffed into a forgotten corner?  Apparently, there have been easements granted for multi-use trails to and through the project, but “not funded in current phase“–Why not?  When?

I invite you, in particular Acme residents, to comment here or send a message. The Acme Township Board meets tonight (REagle) to possibly make the final decision in what has been a long, contentious process.

What do you think the Acme board needs to hear? 

Conceptual plan and other documents online here.

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Thank you for considering a donation. It puts a smile on my face.

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The following is a resolution to be considered by the City Commission tomorrow (Tuesday) night. It isn’t earth shattering, but the timing precludes events on March 2nd when Governor Rick Snyder and his Lansing posse come to town to talk place-making and economic development. MDOT director Kirk Steudle will also be in town. A reunion of all or parts of the Division St. citizen committee is anticipated.

The full agenda for tomorrow night is online at the City website.

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The dangers of traffic zombies are real, please donate today.

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DC Tweed by Tim Sessler

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Not that long from now, when the air has a bit less chill, Traverse City will host the 2012 TC TWeed Ride. You recall those scofflaws, right? 

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 Follow Tweed Ride TC for the roll-out.

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If you enjoy and value this blog, please consider a donation.

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Announcement

The Traverse Bay Area Traffic Safety Committee is holding a membership meeting tomorrow morning at the Governmental Center. The panel discussion looks extremely relevant to yesterday’s post.

Care to attend? You can RSVP or ask for more information by contacting  the project coordinator for Community Safety Services, Laurie Earles at  laearles@aaamichigan.com. or just walk in or email how you can follow-up for future meetings and discussions.

The AAA and Office of Highway Safety Planning formed these regional Traffic Safety Committees (MI-Gov-PDF) 40-years ago. The intent is to make connections between concerns locally and statewide policies being enacted. This is a good opportunity to show up and share some of your concerns of being on the streets regardless of your mode choice.

Agenda

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If you enjoy and value this blog, please consider a donation.

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