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Commission OKs $357,280 contract for shoreline stabilization assessment to pursue larger grants
Summary
The commission authorized a one‑year contract with GEI Consultants for up to $357,280 to evaluate shoreline stabilization and coastal resilience needs along Grand Traverse Bay, and to prepare analyses that staff hopes will position the city for much larger grant funding.
Traverse City commissioners authorized on July 6 a continuing‑services contract with GEI Consultants to conduct a shoreline assessment and design work for coastal resilience along Grand Traverse Bay in support of potential grant funding.
Staff (speaker 3) explained the one‑year contract is for an amount not to exceed $357,280 (including contingency) with the city manager able to extend annually up to a five‑year cumulative cap of $357,280. The scope includes gathering topographic and bathymetric survey data, wetland delineation, an inventory dashboard, coastal engineering and ecological restoration analysis, and grant support to position the city for larger construction funding. "This work ... tees us up for what we hope to be several million dollars, potentially up to $20 [million] in grant funding," staff said.
Commissioners asked whether prior shoreline plans and data would be reused and whether consultants had experience handling sites with legacy contamination (coal‑gasification, power‑plant footprints and former industrial uses). Parks director Michelle Hunt (speaker 12) said consultants had been vetted for experience with complex Great Lakes projects and coordination with state agencies. She noted contamination assessment and remediation planning were not included in the base scope and could be added later if needed.
Several commissioners urged staff to coordinate with adjacent public property owners (e.g., the Rec Authority and maritime academy) so proposed improvements are contiguous. Commissioner (speaker 11) emphasized the project’s long‑term benefits: improved ecological health and shoreline resilience to future high‑water events. The motion to authorize the GEI contract passed on a motion and recorded voice vote.
Staff said the contract will draw on Brown Bridge trust ballot revenues previously allocated by voters and that a detailed scope schedule and deliverable list will be provided to the commission as work proceeds.
