Traverse City Commission to Relocate Precinct 4, Grant Opera House Liquor License

The TC Housing Commission's plan to sell the Carter Centre property is displacing Precinct 4 voters. The Traverse City City Commission voted Monday to move the polling site from 10200 East Carter Centre to Fire Station No. 1 at 500 W. Front Street, effective with the August 4 election.

Precinct 4 voters will share the West Front Street station with Precinct 1, which already polls there. City Clerk Sarah Lutz said the fire station is "within close proximity to precinct four boundaries and is expected to provide a convenient and accessible option for voters." Affected voters will receive mailed notice before election day; anyone who arrives at the Carter Centre site on election day should proceed to Fire Station No. 1 at 500 W. Front Street.

Commissioners also approved the City Opera House's application for its own liquor license, ending more than 20 years of contracting outside vendors to serve alcohol at events held in the 680-seat venue at 106 E. Front Street. The historic theater hosts concerts, comedy, theater, arts education, and community gatherings ranging from the National Writers Series to private weddings and conferences. The Opera House, run by Executive Director Chad Lindsey, described the license in its application as "an additional revenue stream that supports our nonprofit mission."

In a related action, commissioners approved a not-to-exceed $171,600 contract with Story Roofing for a complete Opera House roof replacement. Story Roofing was second-lowest among eight bids but earned staff's recommendation as "best overall value based on the quality of the materials, product warranties, workmanship warranty, and the overall completeness of the submission." The Opera House Fund will cover the cost, which includes a 10 percent contingency.

The commission also authorized a request for proposals targeting six city-owned parcels on State and Pine streets for public parking, workforce housing, and a police substation, and approved a $161,050 grant application to Michigan's Water Resources Division to address coastal erosion and flooding along East and West Grand Traverse Bays and the Boardman-Ottaway River corridor.