Site work and paving for a mixed-use development in Traverse City, Michigan. Completed plans call civil work for a road / highway and sidewalk / parking lot.

**As of April 30, 2026, the project was awarded to Elmer's Crane and Dozer, Inc, with an awarded amount of $1,319,475.75.** https://www.traverseticker.com/amp/news/dda-talks-next-steps-for-tif-plan-springsummer-events/ The future of downtown Traverse City’s tax increment financing (TIF) 97 plan is coming into focus as the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) prepares a replacement plan called Moving Downtown Forward to go on the November ballot. DDA board members recently discussed key projects that could be included in the plan ahead of an upcoming joint session with city commissioners April 13. The board also heard updates on several recent and upcoming downtown events. Moving Downtown Forward With TIF 97 set to expire at the end of next year, DDA board members are working to prepare a replacement TIF plan called Moving Downtown Forward that would go to voters this fall. The plan would need to be ready this summer to meet the deadline for being placed on the ballot. The DDA will meet with city commissioners to discuss the plan April 13 ahead of a likely June board vote to approve its length and list of projects. The DDA had previously approved a Moving Downtown Forward plan in 2024, which was supposed to go to commissioners for approval. But that process got put on hold when ballot proposals were put forward – which eventually passed – requiring a public vote on TIF plans. The board is now working to update Moving Downtown Forward to reflect current DDA and city strategic priorities before it goes to voters. TIF districts capture taxes on rising property values within their boundaries to fund public improvement projects. However, those projects must be named in the plan in order to be funded. Two key aspects of Moving Downtown Forward will be the list of projects to be covered by TIF and the length of the plan. The current draft shows 13 capital infrastructure projects. Three of those – Rotary Square, a new farmers market pavilion, and Boardman/Ottaway riverwalk improvements – are already underway. However, DDA CEO Harry Burkholder noted that nothing’s finished “until the shovel’s in the ground,” so including them in the new plan ensures the DDA can use TIF funding to complete them if needed. The riverwalk also has multiple separate phases of work expected to take years if not decades to complete. Other projects on the list include a district-wide snowmelt system, the reconstruction of the Front Street corridor (including East Front Street), lakeshore stabilization on West Grand Traverse Bay, multiple State Street improvement projects, Front Street alley and utility improvements, Garland Street green infrastructure, and improvements to the bayfront trail between Clinch Park and Oak Street. Those projects collectively are estimated at over $120 million. Burkholder said that with the focus on streets and alleys and utilities, the plan was built around the “meat and potatoes of infrastructure.” He added: “A lot of times there's discussion about do we want it or do we need it. I think most of that list are needs.” Burkholder pointed out that TIF doesn’t just fund capital projects, however. Another bucket of funding goes toward annual downtown programs and services. Those include holiday lights, administrative costs for the farmers market, wayfinding signage, trash and recycling, downtown promotion, and the annual public restroom program, among others. TIF 97 contributes to those services now, as does Old Town TIF in most instances. Moving Downtown Forward is estimated to contribute almost $1 million annually toward those programs. A final bucket covers maintenance costs for infrastructure. Estimated at $185,000 annually, that category includes things like street and sidewalk repairs, maintenance of the farmers market and pavilion space, and upkeep for Rotary Square. The Moving Downtown Forward plan could also set aside a fixed annual percentage of its budget, such as two percent or four percent, for priorities that could include stormwater investment, annual contributions to larger city projects downtown (like bridges), and placemaking and mobility improvements. How much funding would be available depends on the length of the TIF plan. Burkholder said the plan should be at least 15 years to make it worth the work put into creating and maintaining it. The estimated amount of captured revenue at the end of 15 years of Moving Downtown Forward would be $90.4 million. However, if that was extended to 30 years – the length of TIF 97 – revenue would increase to $213.3 million by the plan’s end. Further complicating the funding equation is the possibility for the DDA to do a revenue share this time around, meaning the DDA wouldn’t keep the full TIF tax capture but instead share a percentage with regional taxing jurisdictions like the city, the county, NMC, BATA, and others. Whether it’s a 70-30 split, 90-10 split, 50-50 split, or something else, each of those models has significantly different funding outcomes for the DDA, Burkholder said. If Moving Downtown Forward is rejected by voters, both the DDA and city will have a whole other financial reality to navigate with the city becoming solely responsible for “all projects and programs in the (TIF 97) district,” City Manager Benjamin Marentette previously stated. Downtown Events Also downtown, DDA Director of Events & Engagement Sara Klebba shared updates with the board on several recent and upcoming events. Traverse City Restaurant Week, which was held in February, had another successful year, Klebba said. While survey results from restaurants and guests are still being finalized, in initial feedback 70 percent of participants said they tried a restaurant for the first time, 78 percent said they spent money at local businesses before or after dining, and 96 percent said they would participate again in 2027. On a Net Promoter Score, which measures how likely a participant is to recommend an event, TCRW scored a 76. Anything above 70 is considered exceptional, Klebba explained. “This event hits every year,” she said. A newer event, the Get Away or Stay & Play, took place March 13-15. That was the same weekend a monster snow storm hit northern Michigan, closing down many businesses for part of the weekend. Foot traffic was thus down 32 percent compared to last year, though dwell time – how long an individual spends in an area – was up 29 percent. Also planned this spring is a new event called the Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt that will run April 18-26. Dozens of participating merchants will have spring icons (rabbits, suns, morel mushrooms, robins, rain boots, and tulips) hidden inside their businesses. Participants who find the icons can scan a code and be entered to win a $250 downtown gift card. Each unique business counts as an entry, with extra entries awarded for businesses outside of the main two Front Street blocks. Downtown’s Art Walk and Art Fair series will also return this year. After a year off, Art Walk will return May 29 and June 5 from 5pm-7pm. Businesses will stay open later and host featured artists and pop-up exhibits, with live music and interactives arts-and-craft activities offered. The Old Town Art Fair (June 13) and National Cherry Festival Art Fair (July 5) are almost full now for vendors, Klebba said. The final event, being renamed the Downtown Fine Art Fair, is scheduled for September 12-13 and will feature more of a focus on fine art this year, Klebba said. -------------------- Reference Number 0000411441 The work involved in this project consists principally of the following: o 23,272 Syd- Cold Milling HMA Surface o 2,435 Syd- Pavt, Rem, Special o 2,389 Syd- Aggregate Base, 8 inch o 2,614 Sft- Curb Ramp, Conc, 6 inch, Modified Questions are submitted online No Please submit all questions to ayockey@traversecitymi.gov seven (7) days prior to bid due date. Question Deadline 02/24/2026