Affordable Housing in Traverse City: Building Up, Not Out

Greetings, YPs! we have a special blog post from former YP Chairman Warren Call. Affordable housing and multi-story buildings in downtown Traverse City are all over the news in our town right now, and Warren is sharing his opinion about these issues on the blog today. Read on for his support of higher density housing as a counterattack to urban sprawl in our region. 

Photo courtesy of The State Theatre

Taller buildings downtown or strip malls and sprawl – which type of development is the bigger threat to our unique Northern Michigan character? Would eight or nine-story buildings downtown ruin Traverse City? These important questions are being debated as the Grand Traverse Region grows (and development pressures increase). These decisions will greatly impact the city and region the Traverse City Young Professionals call home – and I think it’s time we made our opinions heard. I know where I sit; I like the idea of a dynamic downtown and tall buildings do not bother me. I am afraid of sprawl that engulfs areas where farms, forests and fields used to be.

Taller buildings, higher density, and Affordable Housing Developments are the way forward for Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Region. Traverse City zoning and planning should allow and encourage taller structures that permit developers to “build up” using existing vacant or underused parcels in the city. Downtown zoning should create higher density in-line with land use regulations and include development incentives and public investment. Planning and zoning that allow for downtown development is necessary to prevent sprawl and preserve our existing agricultural, forest and rural land. The benefits are clear:

Downtown development preserves our unique character
Suburban sprawl is the real threat to our beautiful and scenic region. The only way to preserve our unique regional and city character is to concentrate new development in our existing city center. Downtown housing and development reduces and prevents sprawl. Regulation that allows for taller buildings in the city center helps to preserve our scenic agricultural, forest, and rural areas.

Downtown Development is the culmination of decades of thorough and thoughtful planning
Locating new building and development within our existing urban areas is one of the key findings from decades of master planning and zoning improvements. Higher density development is part of the Traverse City and Grand Traverse Master Plan and current city zoning supports higher density building with a diverse mix of housing options and uses. Higher density downtown development is supported by the findings of long-term planning; the New Designs for Growth and the Grand Vision planning processes (75% of Grand Vision respondents said new growth should occur in existing developed areas). Downtown development helps to address a major jobs/housing imbalance in our region's largest employment hub.

Downtown Development is the key economic driver for our region
Higher density housing can help to create a "full-time" downtown: a place with retail, entertainment, and office activity that is self-sustaining. Downtown residents form a built-in market for downtown retailers and entertainment, thus reinforcing investments already made in our public spaces, parks, museums, theaters, and existing infrastructure. Developing downtown housing improves our region’s employment options by attracting a mix of knowledge workers, entrepreneurs and professionals. Downtown housing improves the city's tax base while making the highest and best use of our existing vacant and underused city parcels. A vibrant, dynamic, walkable downtown that offers a mix of housing, retail, office, recreational, and entertainment options appeals to people of all ages; young professionals, baby boomers, young families, the elderly, and students.

The City Commission, Planning Commission and City zoning regulations should allow and encourage taller buildings, higher density, and affordable housing development. These features will preserve our unique local character, address our housing and planning needs, and drive future economic success in our region.

Trivia Night at Rare Bird

The bar scene is a staple for any young professional--and there is nothing wrong with that!--but here in Traverse City, we are spoiled with the variety and quality of all our bars. One of the newer bars on the scene, Rare Bird Brewery, is located on the fringe of our downtown area and boasts an awesome vibe.

Low-key comfort paired with high-end food and drinks makes for a great night out on the town. One of my favorite things about Rare Bird, though, is their spunky trivia night. My friends and I have made a weekly ritual of playing trivia at Rare Bird every Tuesday night, and what a fantastic ritual it has turned out to be.

Every Tuesday is a party at Rare Bird, and I love that I can have a fun, cheap night out on the town in the middle of the week. It's packed, but arriving at 6:30-6:45 p.m. (before trivia starts at 7), and you're guaranteed a good seat to round up a team of six friends. Grab some grub, pool your knowledge, and drink some beer as you compete against some of the fiercest trivia players this side of Lake Michigan.

If you're snacking, make sure to try their garlic-dusted fries or pork belly nachos. Those nachos make me question why I'm still vegetarian every time they arrive at our table. Of course, I'm always willing to oblige my morals and dig into their wonderful black bean burger: it is out of this world.

Unlike other micro-breweries in town, Rare Bird balances their own house-brewed beers with those of other great local and national breweries, so there's something for everyone. They also have wine, cider, and liquor available at the bar. Thirsty Tuesday should totally be a thing, and Rare Bird would lead the way.

We hope you'll join us (Team Cropdusters) at trivia next Tuesday, March 24...and every Tuesday after that!

Eating Out in TC: Bubba's

Greetings, everyone! January is coming to a close, but it's still comfort food season up north. This time of year, I find myself indulging more in dining out at different restaurants in downtown Traverse City. With all the posts I've made on this blog in the last year and a half, I'm shocked that I've left out one of my favorite makes-everyone-happy restaurant: BUBBA'S!

The owners of Bubba's are no strangers to the TC restaurant game: they own Bubba's, Firefly, The Kitchen, Maddy's Tavern (out in Interlochen), and Grandview Catering. I don't know how they manage to maintain so many fantastic restaurants, but they certainly do. Whenever we have guests come into town, we know Bubba's is a safe bet: it has great food with lots of options for whatever anyone would like to get (including gluten-free and vegetarian choices), is reasonably priced, and is located downtown so we can continue the night out on the town if we feel so inclined. It checks everything off the list.

It has a fun bar vibe, but it's also very kid and family friendly. They do table sharing for couples (it's never been uncomfortable, even though it might seem like it could be) and the wait staff really knows their stuff. Plus, with fantastic specials--including 1/3 off the menu Monday-Friday from 3-5 p.m., or a burger and beer for $6 every Tuesday--it's budget and belly friendly.

My three favorite things on the menu are their homemade black bean burger, the avocado salad, and SWEET. POTATO. TOTS. Seriously, get the sweet potato tots. And then ask yourself why people don't serve garlic aioli and Bubba Sauce with everything.

Locals and visitors agree: Bubba's is a TC restaurant staple, and after so many years in business, I'm happy it's here to stay. Whether you live in the area or are coming in for a visit, make sure to add Bubba's to your list of places to visit!

Ladies' Night Holiday Shopping: YP Kelsey Lauer Goes Out on the Town

Downtown Traverse City knows how to celebrate the holidays, and Ladies' Night Holiday Shopping is no exception. I was lucky enough to spend several hours roaming downtown last Thursday with several friends in a chocolate-and-good-wine-fueled shopping frenzy—although it involved more window shopping than not. 

We started the evening with a free massage and complimentary beverages at the Bank of Northern Michigan. After relaxing for a bit, we headed out to check out the shopping at The Exchange Boutique and Salon. The scarves were particularly interesting. 

Next, we went next door to Pavlova Salon, where we joined numerous other ladies in indulging in a glass of L. Mawby’s Sex and some delectable chocolate truffles. Thus fueled by chocolate, we hit up Boyne Country Sports, admired some of their skis and then moved across the street to Brilliant Books, where I picked up New York Times bestseller “And When She was Good” by Laura Lippman. (Side note: it’s a really good read!).  

Next, we visited Great Lakes Bath and Body, which was the best-smelling store of the entire evening. If you need candles, soap, lotion or a scrub, their selection is highly varied and almost sure to offer something that’s to your liking. 

We had fun trying on sunglasses at the Sunglass Shoppe, which was also kind enough to offer some good snacks. Definitely check them out if you’re in need of eyewear—they have both fashion and high performance options. 

Another highlight of the evening was Fustini’s Oils and Vinegars—possibly the most-packed store of the evening. After navigating through the crowd of people, we arrived at the beverage cart, where I sampled peach balsamic vinegar mixed with a sparkling beverage—surprisingly tasty! Although I didn’t purchase anything this time, I’d highly recommend Fustini’s 18-Year-Old Traditional Balsamic Vinegar; it pairs well with almost any food item. 

Also worth a visit is My Secret Stash on Cass Street, which is a little off the beaten path but features a beautiful selection of jewelry, art, housewares and more, all made by Michigan artists. I was too busy admiring everything to take pictures, but I did most of my shopping damage here and don’t regret a penny of it!  

These were just some of the highlights, but we visited a circuit of nearly a dozen different merchants (some of which are mentioned above) that made us eligible for a drawing at the end of the evening. Giveaways included a $400 downtown gift card, a $200 downtown gift card and a wide variety of prizes from sponsors. None of us were lucky enough to win, but we still appreciated the chance, and congratulations to the lucky recipients! 

Men’s Night is tonight and, from what I hear, is every bit as fun as Ladies Night, so head down and check it out!   

Guest Blogger: Cindy Evans and The Soup Cup

Up north, we are craving springtime something fierce. Alas, it's still chilly out these days, and a few more dustings of snow aren't out of the question just yet; we have a bit longer until we are free from Winter and on to Summer. That said, there are some perks to this cold Spring: plenty of more delicious meals at The Soup Cup Microsouperie! YP Cindy Evans brings us the inside scoop on this off-the-beaten-path-but-TOTALLY-worth-it local favorite. 

Does this "blah" Spring weather have you down? These cold temperatures call for one thing...SOUP. There is nothing like a hot steaming bowl of soup to warm you up after a day of braving the elements to get to work, or dropping the kids off at school.

Most restaurants offer the hot tasty delight in a couple of different options, but The Soup Cup takes it to another level.  When you walk in, you will see spread across the front counter eight large black pots filled with different soups, all for you to sample before making a choice. The employees are quick to greet while encouraging you to sample their offerings for the day.  

They change their soups daily , so if you’re adventurous and like to try new things, this is a place worth checking out.  They offer a range of great sandwiches that are made fresh to accompany your soup.  I ordered the grilled cheese, and they offered me the usual cheeses but, also, some unique ones to choose from with a variety of bread options. It was brought to me straight from the grill, perfectly toasted and deliciously gooey.  

One of their most popular items are the Authentic Belgian Fries made from freshly cut potatoes, that are twice fried and served with your choice of their 21 special sauces.  After I had ordered, I saw a basket of the fries brought out, all I can say is,” I definitely want to go back to try them.” I was trying to make a healthy choice at this visit, but they are just too tempting not to try. 

Their menu is written on large chalkboards that line the side and back counter with details of the ingredients in each soup.  It is easy to locate healthy options and find the prices for each item. They are Gluten-Free and Vegan friendly. They use fresh, local, and Michigan ingredients. The small soup and grilled cheese I ordered came to just under $10. 

The prices are very fair and the portions are  generous. I usually check out restaurant ratings on the UrbanSpoon before I decide to spend my money at a new place. UrbanSpoon has a website but also an app for your smartphone where you can easily look up a restaurant and read reviews from customers, see ratings from voters, view pictures posted by customers from their order, see information on price range, and so much more.  The Soup Cup, at the time I looked it up had an 88% like it vote with many positive reviews.  I was able to see a menu before I got there, view the hours they are open, and get directions.  It’s very a helpful tool if you like to know more about a place and see what others have to say.

The Soup Cup is located at 620-B Railroad Place, or otherwise known as the old train depot.  It is next to the Traverse Area District Library on Woodmere.  They are open Tuesday-Friday 11-4pm and Sat. 11-3. It’s a fun little lunch place with various seating options. They have picnic tables in the front if you’re more social, and would like to enjoy some conversation with a group or other customers. They also have stools that face a bar along the window so, if you want to be more secluded you can sit and enjoy your soup watching the world go by. They have another section in the back of the restaurant that has more standard tables and seating.  

Also worth noting, they only accept cash. So beat this cold Spring weather, and get out there for lunch, and try some scrumptious soup! The Soup Cup is a great little treasure hidden in Traverse City.  

YP Social Event - Low Bar

Last night, we had our first YP social event of the year at a new place in town, called Low Bar. It is underneath the Seven Monks Tap Room (a tried-and-true favorite locale of mine). I was really excited to see what Low Bar had was all about, since I'm a HUGE fan of Seven Monks. 

Low Bar has a whole different vibe to it than any other place I've seen in TC. For one, it is DARK down there...but it's a dark in a cool way. Like, secret-underground-hangout-with-the-best-booze-in-town kind of dark. In a way, it's totally appropriate because it is inspired by the Prohibition Era. Low Bar prides itself on being a high-end spirits and specialty concoctions destination, and they set the mood right. Heck, even the staff gets into character and dress up fancy to make it feel like every drink you order is the best drink you'll find in town (and it very well may be). 

There was a great YP turnout, too! I saw a lot of familiar faces but also some new faces, which is always nice for mingling. Low Bar is a small place, perfect for an event like this where YPs stroll around and chat with each other. You're bound to bump elbows with someone you haven't met yet, and I like that. People stuck around for a few hours, and I've no doubt that it's because they were drinking good drinks, in a good place, with good company.

Thanks to all the YPs who made it out last night! 

Remember, today is our Roundtable Discussion with Governor Snyder. Stay tuned to our Facebook page starting at 3:00 for live, up-to-the-minute updates from this incredible event and conversation! I'll post a recap about the event early next week, so if you miss the Facebook feed, there will still be plenty to share here on the blog. 

Happy weekend, everyone!

Spring Break at the State Theatre

It's Spring Break for the local schools here in Traverse City! For those of us left here in town and not sitting on the beach drinking Mai Tais (sigh...), we're still treated to our own mini-vacation. There are fewer cars driving around, less people on the streets, and yesterday it was 50 degrees outside! Folks were wearing t-shirts, kids rode around downtown on skateboards, and everyone optimistically swapped out their winter coats for lighter spring jackets. We know Spring hasn't totally arrived, but 50 degree weather feels like 70 degrees after six months of cold.

My favorite thing about Spring Break, though, is how the State Theatre celebrates: FREE MOVIES ALL WEEK! Yes, you read that right: FREE. MOVIES. ALL. WEEK.

For me, the State is one of TC's prized jewels. The renovations that went into this building gave it a brand-new life, and the volunteers who dedicate their time to make every movie a truly incredible experience give the State its heart and soul. If a new movie comes out that I want to see, I'll wait until the State shows it instead of going to a big-box theatre. Watching a movie at the State is an affordable luxury, and I've never seen a bad movie there or had a bad time. 

We picked up our free tickets (from the box office right at the theatre) for "Pulp Fiction" and "Star Trek: Into Darkness" this week. Last night we saw "Pulp Fiction," and man...what an awesome movie to see on the big screen!

 The lobby was decorated, popcorn was popping, and everyone was working hard. The wonderful State volunteers kept the crowds happy last night, per usual. They seriously run this place. I've volunteered at the State on many occasions, and if it's something that interests you, why not go with the YPs? We have a group of YPs that staff the State every month, and you can't beat the perks (free popcorn and pop, a pass for a free movie, and you usually get to watch what's playing). Contact Erika and Rachel for more details.

Anyway, we skipped dinner so we could indulge in a giant bucket of popcorn. Seriously, I can't pass up popcorn at a movie. 

If you've never been to the State, feast your eyes on this beautiful theatre:

Now THAT is a movie theatre, my friends. It is worth a trip to TC just to relax in those lush, lean-back seats and stare in awe at the masterpiece that is the State. 

If you can't tell, I'm just totally obsessed with this place. The State, to me, treats movies the way they should be treated...and that is a rare thing to find in today's fast-paced, mass consumer culture where everything is about quantity, not quality. The State is all about delivering quality: quality movies, quality ambiance, and a quality experience. I didn't know that watching movies could be a holistic experience until the State came along and set the bar (really, really) high. When someone says, "We saw it at the State," it goes without saying that they saw a film they enjoyed and had an experience like nowhere else; they have set the standard of film-viewing for us TC folks, and created a sense of community. 

There are still a few days left for the State's free movie extravaganza! The schedule is below. Treat yourself to a (great) free movie while there's still time...you've earned it after this winter!

APRIL 1 State Theatre: SPRING BREAK!BOOK TO MOVIE DAY Percy Jackson: Sea of MonstersPG 10:00 am – FREE! Lee Daniels’ The ButlerPG-13 12:30 pm – FREE! The Book ThiefPG-13 3:30 pm – FREE! The Secret Life of Walter MittyPG 6:45 pm – FREE! The Great GatsbyPG-13 9:30 pm – FREE! Bijou by the Bay: Frozen Sing-AlongPG 10:30 am, 1:00 pm Normal Ticket Rates Apply Bijou by the Bay: Veronica MarsPG-13 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 pm Normal Ticket Rates Apply

2 State Theatre: SPRING BREAK! SHIRLEY TEMPLE CLASSIC The Bachelor And The Bobby-SoxerNR 10:30 am – FREE! THE LATE, GREAT PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN DAY DoubtPG-13 1:00 pm – FREE! MoneyballPG-13 3:30 pm – FREE! CapoteR 6:45 pm – FREE! Boogie NightsR 9:30 pm – FREE! Bijou by the Bay: Frozen Sing-AlongPG 10:00 am, 12:30 pm Normal Ticket Rates Apply Bijou by the Bay: Veronica MarsPG-13 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 pm Normal Ticket Rates Apply

3 State Theatre: SPRING BREAK!BIG SCREEN DAY EpicPG 10:00 am – FREE! OblivionPG-13 12:45 pm – FREE! World War ZPG-13 3:45 pm – FREE! Man of SteelPG-13 6:45 pm – FREE! Star Trek: Into DarknessPG-13 10:00 pm – FREE! Bijou by the Bay: Frozen Sing-AlongPG 11:30 am, 4:45 pm Normal Ticket Rates Apply Bijou by the Bay: Veronica MarsPG-13 2:00, 7:15, 9:30 pm Normal Ticket Rates Apply

4 State Theatre: BONUS FREE KIDS MATINEE Fantastic Mr. FoxPG 10:00 am – FREE! State Theatre: The Grand Budapest HotelR 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 pm State Theatre: Friday Night Flicks Fast Times At Ridgemont HighR 11:00 pm

Guest Blogger Michelle Elliott: Run, Walk, or Leap into Spring!

We're halfway through March and itching for warm weather, but still stuck with plenty of below-freezing temperatures. Still, it's no reason to stay cooped-up inside! YP Michelle Elliott shares her St. Patrick's Day weekend festivities, where she hung out with over 700 green-clad friends having a great time at the Leapin' Leprechaun 5K race. Check out those great costumes!

St. Patrick’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. I know what you’re thinking; it’s because of all the pub-crawls, shamrock shakes and green beer right? Well, not totally. For me St. Patrick’s Day has always been that sign that spring is right around the corner. In the past it has been warm and it has snowed, but regardless, there is typically a party and everyone is having a great time. 

 

This year, I got to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend by working. Yes, working. It’s the nature of the beast if you’re in the event industry. Most of the time you are working while others are playing. I love it. It is rewarding to see all your hard work pay off and witness hundreds of people laughing and joking.  

I work for the National Cherry Festival which organizes the Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K. This fun 5K is held annually on St. Paddy’s day weekend. This year was chilly but we still had over 700 people wake up early to race around town. They definitely dressed to impress in their Irish best.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a St. Patrick’s Day celebration without a gold Guinness at the post-race party. We had a heated tent set up so everyone could warm up and listen to local favorites Don Julin and Billy Strings. It was a brisk morning, but those who came out had a good time.  

There were plenty of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around town this past week. If you are ever curious about what to do visit the Ancient Order of the Hibernians website.  They have an entire event calendar dedicated to all the Irish festivities in Traverse City.