Published: May 12, 2009 06:50 am      

Upgrades eyed for parkway, bayfront

TRAVERSE CITY -- Long-awaited bayfront improvements are on the horizon.

City commissioners on Monday stressed their anxiety to construct safer crosswalks on Grandview Parkway and new restrooms on the beach, projects outlined in the city's waterfront plan.

The "Your Bay, Your Say" process began about four years ago, but so far the city hasn't put it into action.

"The city commission is really setting the tone that we want these projects to get going," said Mayor Michael Estes. "I think we made it clear a couple months ago. No more plans, no more studies. We want projects, we want you to do something."

Estes, who does not plan to run for re-election when his term is up this November, said he hopes to see work on restrooms and crosswalks start while he's still in office.

City Planner Russ Soyring outlined ideas for highly visible crosswalks on Grandview Parkway at Oak, Union and Park streets.

Grandview Parkway is a busy and often dangerous highway that separates downtown from the city's marina, volleyball courts and beaches on West Grand Traverse Bay. A Traverse City man died in August 2008 after being hit by a vehicle as he crossed the road near Oak Street.

The crosswalks, which could cost $485,000, could attract drivers' attention with colorful, pronounced paths, signs in the middle of the road and even poles with small wind turbines and solar panels to power lights.

"It turns out to be pretty expensive," Soyring said. "We could do it a lot less expensive with just bold paint, but if you really want to make it identifiable, especially when there's snow cover on the pavement, then we need to do something in addition to just paint."

City Manager R. Ben Bifoss said he plans to apply for a grant through the Michigan Department of Transportation.

"You have to get to the bay to enjoy the bay," Estes said. "If you're there, you have to have some accommodations."

New restrooms are one of Estes' top priorities.

A renovation of the existing restroom facility at West End Beach could cost nearly $150,000. It'd cost almost $200,000 to construct a new building and demolish the old one.

City commissioners were less supportive of a nautical-themed play structure at the site of the former Clinch Park Zoo. A large, elaborate playground could cost more than $222,000. They'd rather build crosswalks and new restrooms before spending money on a playscape.

Funding for waterfront improvements could come from tax increment financing and grants.