Garland Street to Close in Warehouse District for Contractor Work Feb. 16

The City of Traverse City closed Garland Street in the Warehouse District beginning Feb. 16 so contractor crews could "proceed with scheduled work," the municipal announcement said. 9&10 News reported the closure would begin Feb. 16 and described it as "starting Monday."

The city framed the move as part of "the city’s ongoing pavement, utility and streetscape projects that have been phased through downtown redevelopmen" (text truncated in the release). The municipal notice did not name the contractor or provide an estimated duration, daily work hours, detour routes, or parking impacts for the Warehouse District closure.

Team Elmer’s, a local construction firm that has published project background on downtown work, describes Garland Street differently in company material. Team Elmer’s wrote, "This time, we set up shop on Garland Street, a road slated for realignment and falling into disrepair; greatly impeding the Warehouse District's chances at growth and redevelopment." That language appears in Team Elmer’s marketing copy and is presented as the company’s account; the city release supplied to reporters did not confirm which firm is performing the Feb. 16 work.

Team Elmer’s also positioned the Garland Street effort as a next step after its Pine Street pedestrian bridge work. On its project page Team Elmer’s lists the Pine Street bridge "By the Numbers" details: DATE STARTED April 25, 2016; DATE COMPLETED September 1, 2016; SELF-PERFORMED 43%; PARTNERS Fleis & Vandenbrink, Bella Concrete, Top Line Electric. The company framed its downtown record this way: "With the gap between the Warehouse District and the rest of downtown successfully bridged, both literally and figuratively, Team Elmer's set to work on the next stage of Traverse City's revitalization plans."

Team Elmer’s website copy also claims local businesses have offered positive response to streetscape work. The firm states, "Already, feedback for the work Team Elmer's did on Garland Street has been positive. Businesses are glad to have a fresher, more modern looking street, while foot and car traffic alike is starting to pick up in the area." Those claims are company statements and the municipal announcement did not include independent traffic counts, business statements, or third-party confirmation of increased activity.

Key information remains unreported in the city notice: the municipal release did not identify the contractor performing the Feb. 16 work, did not state a completion date or daily work schedule, and did not describe detour or pedestrian accommodations for the Warehouse District. Team Elmer’s contact details listed on its project page are Home Office 1.800.3ELMERS, Phone 231.943.3443, Fax 231.943.8975, Mailing address P.O. Box 6150; 3600 Rennie School Rd.; Traverse City, MI 49685. Reporters and residents seeking confirmation of contractor identity, timeline, detours, or project funding should request an official statement from the City of Traverse City based on the municipal announcement.