Downtown store and restaurant owners have spoken via the annual Traverse City Ticker Downtown Survey, with most toasting the success of the district – but lodging complaints about downtown parking.

Fifty-six business owners along Front Street between Division and Park and along Union, Cass, and Park between Front and State Streets participated in the survey.

On a letter grade scale, business owners gave Downtown Traverse City and the Downtown Development Authority a B grade. Fifteen respondents gave downtown an A; four gave it a failing grade.

Survey responses were anonymous, but most participants posted comments.

“They do a great job,” wrote one. “We are very lucky to have great support and vision for downtown. There is collaboration and leadership,” said another. “What a waste of $! TC Tourism does much more to promote downtown…,” wrote another.

Business owners gave the same B grade to Downtown Development Director Rob Bacigalupi. He earned 14 A grades and two failing grades. 

Respondents were most outspoken about the downtown parking situation. When asked to describe the parking situation in one or two words, the most common responses – by a 5-1 margin – were “terrible,” “frustrating,” or “confusing.” Fourteen percent characterize the parking situation as “adequate” or “good.”

More or improved parking also ranked at the top of “what downtown Traverse City needs most” that it does not have. Other responses were, in order, more/better restrooms, affordable housing, parking for downtown employees, and a cleaner downtown area.

Said one respondent, “I hate the new parking moneymaker system and the attendant new infrastructure and staffing. Raise money to pay for a new, expensive system. Government at its best!” Another said, “Our customers complain a lot about the meters.” Another said, “We need designated, free parking for downtown employees.” Another said what downtown Traverse City needs most is “a sense of humor.”

Parking, however, does not represent the biggest threat to a vibrant downtown Traverse City in the future, respondents said. Respondents said the biggest future threats are, in order: downtown retail rent costs, parking, lack of affordable housing, and “losing its character.” Said one respondent, “The rent costs will rise too high; then just banks, restaurants and galleries can afford.”

Survey participants were also asked about prominent local festivals and events; they ranked the National Cherry Festival, Traverse City Film Festival, Friday Night Live, National Writers Series, and the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival on several factors. Rankings were:

Attracts the “right crowd”:
Highest rating: Film Festival  Lowest rating: Cherry Festival

Should be expanded:
Highest rating: Equestrian Festival  Lowest rating: Cherry Festival

Should be shortened:
Highest rating: Cherry Festival  Lowest rating: Equestrian Festival

Is “done very well”:
Highest rating: Cherry Festival  Lowest rating: Friday Night Live

Other findings include:

Fifty-six percent of respondents said they support the proposed nine-story mixed-use building on Pine Street; 31 percent oppose, and 13 percent said they’re “not sure” or “need more information.”

A majority of downtown business owners said they would support installation of a sidewalk snowmelt system with the understanding that they would have to pay for some of it. Forty-eight percent of respondents said they support the snowmelt system, 39 oppose, and 13 percent are “not sure.”

Sixty-one percent of respondents said they would support closure of Front Street 1-2 additional times each year for more events.

To read verbatim comments from the respondents, click here.