In case you missed it, in January, Traverse City Commissioners voted in favor of a purchase agreement with HomeStretch, a nonprofit housing developer based in lower Northwest Michigan, making it possible for HomeStretch to acquire a city-owned parking lot in the heart of downtown and convert it to housing.

Here at Groundwork, we wanted to take this opportunity to say just how excited we are that this project is moving forward and that more people will call downtown home! We hope other cities take note and move in a similar direction.

It all started with a need and a vision. With housing in such high demand, city leaders recognized that some TC-owned properties, like parking lots, could transition to housing and become more productive uses of space. Lot O, as the parking lot at the northwest corner of Cass and State Streets is named, was identified as one such property. In spring of 2021 the city issued a request for proposals from developers, asking to see what would be possible for that location.

The city identified with the vision HomeStretch put forth, and after many discussions and much planning, the nonprofit is able to purchase the property and move from concept to reality.

This project incorporates so much of what Groundwork advocates for:

• It creates attainable housing for those who want to not only work in TC, but also live there, by making sure that at least 80% of the apartments within the building are set aside for people who make 60% area median income (AMI) or less. And since the housing is located downtown, residents will have greater and easier access to the town’s amenities and won’t have to rely on a vehicle for every trip.

• It incorporates larger shared cooking and living spaces for residents to gather frequently and create community.

• It will use environmentally sustainable mass timber, which, when compared to traditional building materials, offers better air quality for residents. The manufacturing process is also less carbon intensive than either concrete or steel.

• The developer plans to have a green roof, solar panels, and electric appliances throughout the building.

The projects we decide to take on as a community show where our values lie. I’m proud to see the city moving forward with a vision that supports people and innovation. The work is just beginning, so let’s all continue to support and cheer on HomeStretch as this forward-thinking housing nonprofit journeys into the next phase.

Carolyn Ulstad, Transportation Program Manager
carolyn.ulstad@groundworkcenter.org