Several township infrastructure projects will appear on the agenda today (Wednesday) for Grand Traverse County commissioners, who will consider approving up to $6.2 million in bonds on behalf of Blair Township for drinking water upgrades and using $400,000 in federal funds for water infrastructure upgrades in Garfield and Long Lake townships. Meanwhile, Green Lake Township is seeking several hundred thousand dollars from Grand Traverse County for park improvements over the next 15 years.

Blair Township is asking for the county’s assistance to bond upgrades to the township’s drinking water system. The township would be responsible for paying off the debt and accompanying interest, but could secure more favorable terms through the county since the county is larger and has a superior bond rating. The county has lent its bonding power to multiple projects across different townships over the years. The water system upgrades in Blair Township are estimated at $5 million, though resolution language submitted for commission approval allows bonding up to $6.2 million (those bonds do not all need to be issued if the project comes in under that amount).

Upgrades will help Blair Township “meet water supply demand caused by the increased development and infill of existing development the township has experienced in the past couple of years,” Township Supervisor Nicole Blonshine wrote. “Water supply demand due to continuing development has exceeded daily system capacity on multiple occasions. While these events have been intermittent and short-term in the past, the growth in the service district is expected to exacerbate the frequency and duration of these events. Sustained increased demand could cause the township to implement water use restrictions or a moratorium on new development if the township does not increase system capacity.”

County commissioners are also expected to approve a funding agreement today to use $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a collaborative water service project in Garfield and Long Lake townships. The ARPA funds will be combined with other grant and township funding to extend a water main along Cedar Run Road, providing for the consolidation of water supply systems and services for the “residential users in the neighboring Long Lake Township, specifically Black Bear Farms,” according to the ARPA application.

Garfield and Long Lake townships – which received initial project approval from county commissioners in December 2022 when commissioners selected local ARPA recipients – said the project will “increase quality and reliability of the water supply to customers connected to existing Type 1 and private water supply systems and provide the ability for future access to infrastructure, thus minimizing construction of multiple small or private systems.” The application adds that the project will expand the local service district and “provide improved fire protection and domestic water supply” to customers.

Finally, Green Lake Township will present a funding request to commissioners seeking support for parks improvements. The township is seeking a 15-year, $381,595 county loan – but wants Grand Traverse County to forgive $25,000 of that loan annually. That arrangement would see Grand Traverse County contributing $375,000 total toward Green Lake Township parks, with the township paying back $6,595 – or $440 annually over the lifespan of the loan.

Green Lake Township Supervisor Marv Radtke said “heavy usage” of parks has placed a “significant upkeep burden” on the township’s maintenance staff and budget. The township has had to weather other burdens, he said, including the looming full shutdown of Interlochen State Park and a US-31 reconstruction project in 2025 that will “detour highway traffic around the majority of Green Lake Township, impacting our community of just under 7,000 residents who host roughly 500,000 visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day,” Radtke wrote.

Radtke said Green Lake Township has remained proactive in pursuing other funding sources for parks, such as a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund that allowed the township to acquire the former Camp Sakakawea on Bass Lake. Township plans include trail connectors from “Camp Saki,” as it’s called, to Long Lake Township and the TART Trail network. The township’s other major park is Memorial Park, which borders Grant Township on the southern end. “Recent estimates indicate that $381,595 – including engineering costs – are required to bring drives, walking areas, and parking areas up to a safe and usable standard for both community parks,” Radtke wrote.

Radtke alluded to the county’s support for parks in other townships within Green Lake’s funding request. County commissioners recently gave the county-owned Twin Lakes Park to Long Lake Township and committed just over $31,000 annually for four years to assist the township in covering maintenance costs (that deal has been challenged by park neighbors in court). Commissioners also recently approved $125,000 for Peninsula Township parks, with $25,000 annually set to go to capital improvement projects over the next five years. That is in addition to a Peninsula Township event fee increase – which has rankled organizers of the Bayshore and National Cherry Festival of Races – that Peninsula Township has said will support its parks program.

Radtke said Green Lake Township’s request is “in line” with the county’s assistance to those and other townships, adding that “investing in our parks is essential for the wellbeing and enjoyment of our residents and visitors.”