Traverse City Record-Eagle

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November 17, 2009

Forum: Use Brown Bridge funds for waterfront

By CHRIS BZDOK

Do you want to spend Brown Bridge money on the waterfront?

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, the bay is the best thing about Traverse City. It's why most of us live here. It's the first place we show family and friends who visit. It's where we spend our free time when the weather allows. It's where kids learn to swim and newlyweds take their wedding photos.

The city spent two years asking the public to help us figure out how to enhance the waterfront through the bayfront planning process.

A report was issued in 2007. The report had lots of recommendations, but a few rose to the top. Safe and convenient ways to cross the parkway, so people can get to the beach without feeling like they're at risk. Park features on the former zoo property, like a kids' playground and an ice rink. Places for canoes and kayaks. Better restrooms and concessions. More trails and walkways.

We can implement these in bits and pieces over the next 20 years. Or we can do something now, if we come up with the funds. We can do something average, or something great.

In my opinion, the most realistic way to come up with the funds to do this right is the Brown Bridge Trust Fund. The trust fund contains more than $12 million from oil and gas royalties. In the past five years, these royalties have averaged more than $550,000 per year.

Using up to $3 million from the fund would pay for all the waterfront improvements we realistically need.

Interest from the fund goes toward city operations, but it takes a vote of the residents to tap the principal. Two years ago, city residents rejected using Brown Bridge dollars to pay for street repairs, because street repairs are a basic job of government, not something special.

The waterfront is special. That is why I'm proposing we consider placing the use of Brown Bridge money for the waterfront on a city ballot next year.

Let us know what you think at www.planfortc.com. We've had good input already, which you can read on the site. Generally, people want park amenities on the zoo property, and improvements along the beach west of Division Street. They want safe crossings. They don't want anything that obstructs the view at the open space. One person suggested a boat stable where residents can store canoes, kayaks, and catamarans -- an option for people who don't want or can't afford a large boat in the marina.

Others have ideas about how the money should be tapped. Some want to leverage Brown Bridge dollars to seek grants from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and foundations. Some want to see a smaller draw from the Brown Bridge principal, followed by capturing a percentage of royalties over time. Some want to see the money used for a comprehensive parks fund, including the waterfront but also neighborhood parks or Hickory Hills.

At this point, everything is on the table. It's your money, and your bayfront. What do you want us to do?

About the author: Chris Bzdok is mayor of Traverse City. His Web site for input on the city's future is: www.planfortc.com.

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