GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY — The future of two buildings in Traverse City is one step closer as city leaders discuss them during a study session.
Bijou by the Bay has sat empty for almost a year after the Traverse city Film festival terminated the contract.
The study session is just the first step of the process to fill this building.
Benjamin Marentette, the Interim Traverse City Manager, tells us “I anticipate, bringing to the city commission in October a discussion regarding what types of proposals and criteria they would like to use in selecting a future tenant or tenants for that space. It’s an exciting opportunity.”
The building has functioned as both a movie theater and a museum, and already has a group interested in filling the space.
Marentette says that the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has expressed some interest in the Bijou, as well as others.
The Crooked Tree Arts Center and the Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club just have renewed their leases for the Carnegie Building until October of 2026.
Marentette says that the process for this building will be different.
He tells us “for some time now, leased by the Crooked Tree Art center, who has provided a lot of fantastic programing. It’s been a long term lease. I think we’re likely at a point where, we’re going to be seeking proposals to see if, the Crooked Tree wants to stay there, what those terms would look like. And, or if there’s other entities that would like to use all or a portion of the space, maybe there’s opportunity for coexisting.”
Kristi Wodek, the Vice-President of the Crooked Tree Art Center, tells us they hope they can stay, adding “We’ve spent the last ten years building our home here, and, the community, you know, knows to find us in this location. So that would be our first choice.”
Both the city and the art center have both shared they hope to continue the current arraignment, with the possibility of sharing the space, but the art center is prepared to move if that time comes.
The City must now begin evaluating the long-term use and operations of both Buildings, and plans to issue a Request for Proposals for future operations.
Thursday’s study session will hash out what the city should look for in potential renters.