ABSTRACT
Known as the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City is an economic and tourism hot-spot in the northwestern lower peninsula of Michigan. Located at the base of West Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City’s mild climate and sandy beaches have made it a vibrant and popular place to live, work and play for generations. During the spring of 2005, the decommissioning and deconstruction of the city’s power station returned a significant portion of the waterfront to open space. This newly acquired open space garnered significant attention from residents and city officials. While the area is a great location for a park or other pedestrian-oriented space, Grandview Parkway, the main east-west connector through the city, creates a physical and psychological barrier to accessibility between the downtown and the waterfront. In an attempt to create a safe and enjoyable pedestrian connection that draws visitors back and forth between the waterfront and downtown, this Character Study was developed to assist the city. Public participation, site visits, historical research, and land-use evaluations were used to better understand the tangible and intangible qualities of Traverse City that combine to produce its unique personality. Information gathered during the Character Study process was then used to identify specific areas within the downtown core to concentrate on as key downtown-to-waterfront transition areas. Recommendations and suggestions are also included in an effort to enhance and maintain Traverse City character for future residents and visitors.