TRAVERSE CITY — A long-discussed plan to better connect downtown Traverse City with the Boardman–Ottawa River is nearing a key decision point, as city officials complete design work on the first phase of the Riverwalk project.
Harry Burkholder, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said the concept of a Riverwalk has been discussed in the community for decades, dating back to early riverfront investments downtown.
“It’s something that the community and downtown have been looking at for 30 years,” Burkholder said.
In 2018, the city initiated a more focused effort to develop a unified vision for 1.6 miles of the lower Boardman–Ottawa River through downtown. That process identified improved public access and stronger connections between the river, residents, and visitors as top priorities.
The current proposal, described as Phase One of the Riverwalk, would create a new transition between Front Street and the Farmers’ Market area. Plans include a rebuilt pedestrian bridge, new walkways, and seating areas designed to allow people to better engage with the river.
The new pedestrian bridge would replace an existing bridge that remains functional but needs work. Burkholder said the updated design would not only improve access between downtown and the farmers market area, but also change how people experience the river, with seating and design elements that bring users closer to the water.
Design work for the project has reached the design development stage, which Burkholder described as nearing the end of the planning process. The next step would be a decision by the Downtown Development Authority on whether to move forward with construction drawings and a bid package.
That decision depends on available funding and broader downtown priorities. Burkholder said the Riverwalk is one of several projects under consideration, particularly as the future of the DDA’s primary funding source remains uncertain.
“Ideally, we would have the funding and the time to do this project, but it’s going to be part of a larger discussion about what our priorities are for the downtown area,” he said.
Much of that discussion centers on TIF-97, the DDA’s main source of funding for capital improvement projects, which is set to expire in 2027. Burkholder said it is unclear whether that funding mechanism will be extended, prompting the DDA to evaluate which projects can move forward under the current structure.
The Riverwalk is part of a larger, multi-phase plan intended to eventually create a continuous, non-motorized pathway along the river corridor, connecting Boardman Lake to Grand Traverse Bay. Future phases would include additional boardwalks and bridges to complete that connection.
Burkholder said the vision for the Riverwalk was developed locally, following nearly three years of public engagement. He described the project as a top priority identified by Traverse City residents during that process.
In addition to improving access and connectivity, the project also presents opportunities to address stormwater management along the river. Burkholder said the design includes features intended to help treat and retain stormwater before it reaches the river and bay, and could open the door to additional funding partnerships in the future.
If the DDA approves funding, the project would move into final design and bidding before construction begins.