Traverse City DDA Revisits the Moving Downtown Forward Plan and Its Potential Alignment with Traverse City’s Strategic Action Plan; Official Certified Candidates for the City of Traverse City Mayor and City Commission and Appointment of Interim City Manager; Register for Capitol Day in Lansing on September 4th
We kick off this week's GAD Top Three by reviewing the Traverse City DDA's renewed discussion of the Moving Downtown Forward Plan and its potential alignment with the City of Traverse City’s recently approved Strategic Action Plan. Next, we'll take a brief look at the candidates for this November’s Traverse City Mayoral and City Commission Elections and cover the selection of Traverse City's Interim City Manager. We wrap things up with a call to register for Capitol Day on Thursday, September 4th!
1. Traverse City DDA Revisits the Moving Downtown Forward Plan and Its Potential Alignment with Traverse City’s Strategic Action Plan
At the Friday, July 18th Traverse City Downtown Authority Regular Meeting, discussion was renewed on the Moving Downtown Forward TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Plan to determine next steps for the plan. The Moving Downtown Forward TIF Plan has been shelved since August 2024 pending the results of the November 2024 election in which ballot language was approved by City of Traverse City voters requiring that the creation, amendment, or extension of any TIF plan must go to a public vote in addition to city commissioner approval before any potential enactment.
This discussion included consideration of how the Moving Downtown Forward TIF Plan may align with the City of Traverse City’s recently adopted strategic action plan. This was a preliminary discussion, there will be additional steps taken to determine how the Moving Downtown Forward TIF Plan may further align with the City of Traverse City Strategic Action Plan. We will continue to cover this process as it moves forward.
2. Official Certified Candidates for the City of Traverse City Mayor and City Commission and Appointment of Interim City Manager
This past Tuesday, July 22nd was the candidate filing deadline for the City of Traverse City. The following candidates have been officially certified for the November 2025 Election:
Filed for the Office of Mayor (one office available)
- Amy Shamroe (incumbent)
- Tim Werner
Filed for the Office of City Commissioner (three seats available)
- Lance Boehmer
- Kenneth M. Funk
- Mary Mills
- Laura Ness
- Peter Schous
Over the coming months the Aspire North REALTORS Public Policy Committee will be conducting a candidate interview process to consider potential endorsement and/or support of these City of Traverse City candidates. More information will be made available through the GAD Top 3, the Aspire North Weekly Newsletter, and the Aspire North REALTORS website.
In addition to the candidate filing deadline, at the City of Traverse City Regular Meeting on Monday, July 21st, the City Clerk, Benjamin Marentette, was appointed as the Interim City Manager effective July 22nd, 2025. Benjamin is replacing Liz Vogel, who resigned from the position earlier this month. Benjamin has been an employee of the City of Traverse City since January 2000, originally as Deputy City Clerk before being promoted to City Clerk for the City of Traverse City in September 2011.
3. Register for Capitol Day in Lansing on September 4th
Michigan REALTORS will be hosting their Capitol Day on Thursday, September 4th in Lansing on the Capitol lawn. This event is a great opportunity to hear from Michigan REALTORS leadership and policy staff, as well as visit with your legislative members and their staff. It is important for legislators to hear directly from YOU, their REALTOR and real estate professional constituents, experts in the real estate industry with a finger on the pulse of Michigan communities. This year’s focus is on housing and development opportunities, requiring written agency agreements for buyers’ agency, and protecting our industry from overreaching regulation on housing providers and property managers.
Registration is currently open, and Aspire North REALTORS is arranging bus transportation to and from the event. We at Aspire North REALTORS are currently finalizing bus plans with a tentative departure time of 7:15 am from the Aspire North REALTORS office (852 S. Garfield Ave., Traverse City) and arrival in Lansing at 10:30 am. Departure from Lansing will be at 2 pm with arrival back at Aspire North REALTORS office by 5:15 pm. Register here for the event. For more information, you can check out the event agenda here.
