Demolition at downtown State Street to limit parking and sidewalks

Traverse City residents and downtown visitors should plan for reduced parking, a sidewalk closure and temporary traffic controls as abatement and demolition work begins at 120 and 122 W. State St. The city issued a Jan. 15 news release outlining staged impacts that start the week of Jan. 19 and extend into February, with the schedule subject to weather.

Beginning Jan. 19 crews will remove 16 parking spaces in Lot P to make room for staging and equipment. Lot W will close beginning the week of Jan. 26, further reducing public parking near the 100 block of W. State St. A sidewalk closure will block the north side of that block, and a signed pedestrian detour will direct foot traffic around the work zone while priority access to businesses is maintained as conditions allow.

Daytime demolition work will require lane reductions and flag control in the alley between W. Front and W. State streets. Flaggers will manage single-lane traffic during active operations, and a pedestrian route will be signed to keep people moving safely through the area. The city advised travelers to use alternate routes downtown while work is active and to allow extra time for deliveries, commuting and errands.

Demolition activity is weather dependent. The city expects demolition to begin the week of Feb. 2, with substantial completion anticipated the week of Feb. 9. Those timelines could shift if conditions such as snow and freezing temperatures interfere with equipment or safety plans. The city provided a contact for project questions for anyone needing clarification about access or timing.

For downtown residents and workers accustomed to using Lot P and Lot W, the temporary changes will require adjustments to routine parking and drop-off patterns. Local shops and offices on and near W. State St. should expect brief disruptions to customer access during active demolition periods, especially on weekdays when flag-controlled traffic will be in place. Pedestrians who normally use the north sidewalk of the 100 block should follow the signed detour and plan for slightly longer walks between storefronts.

This work is part of the city’s abatement and demolition process to address structures at the two addresses and return the site to a safe condition. For now, the practical takeaway for Grand Traverse County residents is to check for updated city notices, use alternative parking options downtown, and factor in small delays when traveling through the Front and State streets area during the coming weeks.