The fate of the collapsed shoreline section of the Little Traverse Wheelway drew the longest discussion of the Nov. 6 meeting. Councilmembers, residents and trails advocates reviewed engineering estimates, fundraising strategies and near‑term safety options.

Council members and speakers cited an engineering study that produced high‑level cost estimates (presented previously by consultant Baird) that the assembled participants summarized in the meeting as an order‑of‑magnitude multi‑million‑dollar project (commonly cited in the discussion at about $20 million). Several members urged the council not to wait for a single large capital campaign before addressing immediate safety needs.

Councilmember Shields said the city should keep the restoration focus on the shoreline alignment and accelerate local fundraising rather than pay for further study of alternate inland routes. Some councilmembers and members of the public urged parallel work: immediate safety fixes and a city‑led coordination role while private and nonprofit partners lead fundraising and regional outreach.

Brent Boland of the trails community urged a combined approach: pursue fundraising and private gifts to lower the city’s financial exposure and ask consultants for alternative scenarios and value‑engineered options that could reduce tonnage or change construction methods. Boland offered the trails council’s willingness to contribute seed funds and to coordinate public fundraising and outreach.

Multiple councilmembers emphasized safety for current trail users. Several staff, members of the public and councilmembers recommended interim measures to improve safety along the existing route, including improved bollards, short‑term reroutes and engineering to widen or stabilize sections where feasible.

Why it matters: The Wheelway is a prominent recreational and economic asset for Petoskey and the region; choices about restoration affect public safety, waterfront character, municipal finances and private fundraising obligations.

What’s next: Council directed staff to continue exploring options and to work with regional partners and the trails council on fundraising and phased approaches; several councilmembers asked staff to request additional, lower‑cost scenarios and value‑engineering addenda from the consultant to identify lower‑cost options or staging the project in phases.

Sources: Council discussion and public comment, Little Traverse Wheelway briefing and presentations (01:48:24–02:42:00).