DDA Approves Pavilion, State Street Two Way, Rotary Square Plan
Traverse City Downtown Development Authority unanimously approves three major projects at its Nov. 24, 2025 meeting, advancing a permanent market pavilion, a recommendation to make State Street two way, and detailed engineering for Rotary Square. These decisions set timelines and budget expectations that will affect downtown vendors, commuters, and public spending decisions ahead of final city approvals.
The Traverse City Downtown Development Authority unanimously approves three significant items at its Nov. 24, 2025 meeting, moving key downtown projects toward design and construction milestones. The actions expand the footprint and technical readiness of the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market, endorse a permanent conversion of State Street based on multi year pilot data, and authorize detailed engineering work for Rotary Square.
The DDA adopted a final design for a permanent pavilion at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market that increases vendor capacity from 74 booths to 113 booths and adds vendor electrical, water and lighting. The design includes a translucent skylight for daylighting, columns engineered to regional wind and snow loads, and a rooftop configured to accept future solar panels. The authority expects construction documents and bidding this winter with a possible spring build, and estimates the project at just over 2.5 million dollars subject to final funding approval.
On transportation policy the DDA formally recommends that the city commission make the State Street and related two way traffic pilot permanent. The recommendation cites three years of pilot data showing slower traffic speeds, fewer cyclist and pedestrian crashes, increased use of the corridor, and majority business support. The city commission will now consider that recommendation as it weighs permanent traffic design and implications for parking, delivery access, and pedestrian safety.
For Rotary Square the DDA authorizes hiring Progressive Companies to perform detailed engineering and approves up to 165,000 dollars for design development. Initial cost estimates for improvements are roughly 2.55 million dollars and are expected to be funded in part by a Rotary Charities grant dedicated to the project.
Each decision narrows the gap between planning and construction, but also triggers further civic steps. The farmers market and Rotary Square projects require final funding approvals and public contracting procedures through design documents and bidding. The State Street recommendation transfers the matter to the city commission for final policy action. Residents and downtown stakeholders will face construction impacts and budget choices in the coming months, while the DDA and city must maintain transparent oversight as projects move forward.
