The City of Traverse City is preparing to break ground on the long-planned reconstruction of the Traverse City Senior Center on East Front Street and has released a construction timeline and details, with some closures already beginning on the property and others soon to come.

The Senior Center building has now closed, with access to indoor restrooms no longer available. Access to the racket courts, outdoor restrooms, and Senior Center beach will continue through Labor Day weekend. Access to the racket courts and outdoor restrooms will no longer be available beginning September 5. The city will post notification when access to the Senior Center beach is affected, according to a city release.

Senior Center Network Programming has been moved to the VFW at 3400 Veterans Drive for the duration of construction work. Preparation work at the East Front Street site is anticipated to start in mid-September. A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for Thursday, September 14 at 3pm. Major construction will begin Monday, September 18. The new Senior Center building is to be completed by December 31, 2024, with additional amenities such as racket courts and shuffleboard courts to begin construction in spring 2025.

The reconstruction will increase the Senior Center's size from 5,780 to over 18,114 square feet (including exterior spaces like patios). The building will be oriented to the north to open park space and views of the public beach from Front Street, and will include exterior covered spaces to maximize outdoor opportunities and views along the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay. 

The total estimated project cost – including $411,224 in architectural and engineering services – is $10,035,499. Commissioners recently voted to award a $6,853,590 construction contract to Hallmark Construction and a $1,895,685 contract to Elmer’s Crane and Dozer for site work. The project budget also includes a $350,000 construction contingency, $260,000 for furnishings, $175,000 for kitchen equipment, and $90,000 for environmental costs, which could potentially qualify for brownfield reimbursement. The city has raised $8,095,113.11 total for the project to date, including a $700,000 state grant, $500,000 in city ARPA funding, $250,000 from the county, and $345,113.11 in city fund balance and donations. That leaves a funding gap of $1,940,385.89, with city commissioners recently agreeing to apply for an approximately $2 million MI Community Center grant to cover the funding gap.

“The Senior Center project marks an exciting milestone for the city after years of planning,” said City Parks and Recreation Division Superintendent Michelle Hunt in a statement. “The upcoming facility is set to embody the city commission's and parks and recreation division's shared vision of providing recreational opportunities that promote good health and foster social connections. Moreover, the Senior Center will be a space for seniors to come together and connect with each other and is a promising initiative that will greatly benefit our community.”