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City makes State Street two-way permanently; vote 4-3 after extended debate
Summary
The commission voted to adopt Traffic Control Order 703, making State Street and related downtown segments permanently two-way. The 5–2/4–3 debate focused on costs, signal modifications and whether full engineering should precede permanency; the motion passed by roll-call recorded votes.
After a multiyear pilot and recommendations from the Complete Streets Advisory Committee and retained traffic engineers, the Traverse City City Commission voted to make the State Street two‑way configuration permanent.
City staff and two independent engineers had recommended a two‑way orientation as better aligned with complete‑streets principles. City Manager Benjamin Marantette and staff described the traffic control order as the procedural step that allows the city to seek funding and design details for associated changes such as signal phasing and sight‑line adjustments.
Commissioner Lance moved to adopt Traffic Control Order 703 to permanently allow two‑way traffic on Pine (Front–State), State (Pine–Boardman) and Boardman (State–Front); the motion was seconded and debated. Opponents, notably Commissioner Ken (speaker 9), argued the commission was accepting a permanent change before funding and detailed engineering were complete and warned of hidden costs and neighborhood impacts. Supporters, including Commissioner Laura (speaker 17), pointed to engineering recommendations and the Complete Streets committee's endorsement.
Public commenters from the Complete Streets committee and local residents urged a permanent change so staff and committees could pursue signal upgrades and other safety improvements that require a stable traffic control posture.
The roll‑call vote was recorded during the meeting: Commissioner Anderson — No; Commissioner Shaw — Yes; Commissioner Treadwell — No; Commissioner Funk — No; Commissioner Boehmer — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem Nes — Yes; Mayor — Yes. The motion carried and the traffic control order was adopted, enabling staff to pursue subsequent signal and lane reconfiguration work and to return with cost estimates.
