Innovative funding and the efforts of the Downtown Development Authority are transforming several bumpouts in Traverse City, MI.
Last year, bumpouts at either end of one city center crosswalk were repurposed, with another set due to see improvements this summer.
Spaces that formerly held trash receptacles and bike racks now offer public seating and a street bar on which people can place beverages and computers — just in time to take advantage the downtown’s new free public Wi-Fi.
One parking space adjacent to the bumpouts was repurposed to hold relocated bicycle racks, while trash receptacles were moved to the side of the bumpouts to open up the space. “The whole point was to take the bumpouts and turn them into people spaces,” says Rob Bacigalupi, executive director of the Authority.
In an effort to fund additional bumpout conversions, the Downtown Development Authority partnered with the state-based crowdfunding platform Patroncity to solicit support for the project.
The full article appeared in our print edition. To always get the full story, read Downtown Idea Exchange.