Commission approves $20,000 amendment to finalize nonmotorized trail design; debate over Progressive AE

Traverse City commissioners on Feb. 17 approved a contract amendment not-to-exceed $20,000 to Progressive (formerly Progressive AE) to finalize a nonmotorized trail facility design for a constrained segment near the senior center and Peninsula Drive.

Supporters said the firm already holds the bulk of design files and that modifying existing plans will be more efficient and less costly than bringing a new firm up to speed. Opponents said Progressive’s work on an earlier trail phase produced design problems and argued the city should put the work out to bid or have another firm provide an independent review.

Commissioner Werner said Progressive’s prior work left unanswered technical questions and recommended an open competitive process. Commissioner Mullins and Commissioner Warner echoed concerns about design details affecting safety and accessibility, citing bench placement and driveway conflict points from the earlier phase. David Burrell from Future IQ and Chris from TART Trails described the current scope as largely “field checking” — surveying and adjusting designs to match MDOT’s as‑built conditions — rather than a full redesign, and said the constrained area offers limited opportunities for creative routing.

City staff and Progressive supporters said MDOT’s unfinished as‑built records require field verification; that work was characterized as needed to align the city’s design with MDOT-built elements and to complete easement and permitting steps. Staff warned that delaying acceptance of Progressive’s amendment and putting the work out to bid could increase costs because Progressive already holds the project files and institutional knowledge.

The motion to authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute a contract amendment to Progressive in an amount not to exceed $20,000, subject to manager and city attorney review with funds available in the planning budget, passed on voice vote.

Commissioners also discussed that if the project becomes subject to MDOT easements and federal funding, additional review steps (e.g., MDOT review, SHPO, NEPA) could increase time and cost. TART Trails and staff said signage, driveway-crossing markings and other details remain in the scope to address safety at the constrained driveway locations.

The commission did not direct a separate RFP for the work; several commissioners signaled they would continue to press for broader competitive procurement on future trail phases.