City commissioners tonight (Monday) will consider approving a slate of projects that includes a $3.5 million package to reconstruct Monroe Street, replace a Cass Street mid-block crosswalk, and replace storm sewer at Ramsdell Pond. Commissioners will also vote on approving nearly $299,000 in painting/striping work this year, over $7 million in contracts to replace eight membrane trains at the wastewater treatment plant, a work plan for the city’s strategic objectives and key results (OKRs), and a land deal for a housing project on Eighth/Lake.

Street Projects
Following a staff presentation in December, commissioners will vote tonight to approve a construction contract for a trio of upcoming projects.

The city is planning to rebuild Monroe Street (pictured) from Front Street to Bay Street this year. In addition to the complete reconstruction of the street – which will introduce bump-outs at every intersection and parking on both sides of the street – water and sanitary sewer improvements and green infrastructure like bioswales and drywells are planned. While 13 trees are planned to be removed, 20 replacements will be planted in 2027. Topsoil restoration, new culvert near Randolph Street, and new sidewalk between Wayne and Hill streets are also included. Zach Cole, a city civil engineer, told planning commissioners in January that the project is the largest he’s seen in his time at the city – one that’s expected to start this spring and take all construction season to complete.

The city bundled the Monroe Street project with two other projects to make it more attractive to bidders. Also in the package is the replacement of the mid-block crosswalk on Cass Street between Front and State streets. The redesigned crosswalk will have new pedestrian-friendly bumpouts and improved aprons on either side connecting to the alley. The DDA is covering that project cost of just under $180,000 with TIF 97 funds.

The third project involves storm sewer replacement at Ramsdell Pond. A new manhole will be installed and roughly 235 feet of clay pipe and corrugated metal pipe replaced. “The replacement is due to ongoing maintenance of root intrusion and line congestion, which has resulted in flooding nearby private property,” according to City Engineer Anne Pagano. Elmer’s was the lowest of two bidders on the project package with a $3.2 million bid compared to M&M Excavating’s $5.3 million bid. With contingencies included, the contract comes to $3.5 million.

Commissioners will also consider approving a nearly $299,000 contract with PK Contracting for street painting and striping work including crosswalks, legends, parking lines, and directional arrows. Such work has historically not been completed “until late summer or fall due to contractor availability and scheduling constraints,” according to the city’s Bay Brief. “At its October 20, 2025 meeting, the city commission expressed strong consensus that this work should be completed prior to the peak summer season, with a target of July 1 each year.” The contract with PK Contracting has financial penalties if the work is not completed by July 1.

Plant Membranes
A proposal to invest over $7 million to replace eight membrane trains – essential filtration equipment at the city’s wastewater treatment plant – over the next eight years is back before commissioners tonight. The topic was originally on the February 2 agenda for approval, but commissioners didn’t have enough members present that night to take action.

According to the contract with Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, the firm would replace one train per year starting in 2026 and continuing through 2033. The total cost would be $5,924,200 ($740,525 annually), with funds coming from the city’s sewer fund. The first year of the project requires some additional tank upgrades and other upfront work, which are budgeted in the contract costs. A five percent contingency brings the total contract to a not-to-exceed amount of $6,220,200. Another contract for nearly $1.2 million with Jacobs, the firm that operates the plant, will cover out-of-scope work related to the membrane project. The total project budget is just over $7.4 million.

OKRs
Commissioners will consider approving a work plan tonight for the city’s objectives and key results (OKRs), a list of targeted goals and outcomes for the city’s recently adopted strategic action plan. The work plan outlines key projects in both the near term (next three years) and long term (beyond three years) that the city plans to pursue to implement the strategic action plan. Examples of near-term projects include launching a zoning rewrite, improving Bryant Park pedestrian access, adopting a new riparian buffer ordinance, evaluating overnight on-street parking, continuing to electrify the city’s fleet, and initiating public dialogue around a sustainable tourism model. Longer term projects include the full reconstruction of Seventh and Fourteenth streets, potential M-72/M-22 waterfront acquisition, a major Governmental Center renovation or move, and participation in a potential countywide childcare millage.

Land/Housing Deal
Finally, commissioners will consider approving an agreement to transfer two slivers of city land at the corner of Eighth Street and Lake Avenue to the Grand Traverse Land Bank Authority for a planned workforce housing project. The development would also encompass the former Copy Central property (being used in the interim as the Up North Pride community center), plus a longer strip of land that runs parallel to Lake Avenue from East Eighth Street down past Oryana. The city would relinquish its interest in that parcel, which was long held for an envisioned road connecting Eighth to Fourteenth but is no longer needed for that purpose.

The proposed agreement contains a provision that the property be used for affordable housing for at least 30 years. The agreement defines affordable housing as “restricting residential occupancy to individuals who earn up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI),” according to a memo from City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht.

Photo credit: City of TC