TRAVERSE CITY —
It's now up to city residents to make a Division Street decision.
City commissioners on Monday unanimously agreed to ask voters Nov. 6 for permission to part with park land for future street improvements.
If approved, the proposal wouldn't dispose of the property immediately. It gives officials 10 years to come up with a plan for the busy street before voters' authorization expires.
"We are only asking for permission to look at it," said Commissioner Jody Bergman.
Or, as Assistant City Manager Makayla Vitous put it, the proposal gives the city commission "the authority but not the obligation" to transfer park property along Division Street for right of way and intersection improvements.
Commissioners hope freeing up land will spur the Michigan Department of Transportation to redesign the street. The ballot language doesn't specify how a new street would look; either roundabouts, medians or a combination of both could be implemented. It does prohibit using the land to build extra lanes of through traffic.
The strip of park land in question runs up to 30-feet wide along Division Street's west side, from 14th to Eighth streets. The proposal also includes two roughly 0.25-acre sections near 11th Street. Bergman said the ultimate street solution could use all or none of that property.
Commissioners on Monday also took action on two, long-discussed items.
Low bidder Hallmark Construction was awarded a contract to complete the first phase of bayfront renovations. The Clinch Park work includes building and site demolition, construction of a water feature, landscaping and shoreline upgrades. Hallmark bid $1,415,000. Work should begin after Labor Day and finish by May 24. Additional bids will include the concessions and bathhouse area and upgrades to the south-side entrance of a tunnel that runs under Grandview Parkway.
The commission took the next step to provide funds to the History Center of Traverse City through the city's Downtown Development Authority. Commissioners scheduled a Sept. 4 vote on amending a tax increment financing plan. Additional votes would be needed to spend funds on the Sixth Street center.
Region
Division St. decision to go to voters
Commissioners will ask permssion for possible land useage
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