Snow Plowing & Removal

Winter has arrived in downtown Traverse City! While the DDA does not have an official role in downtown’s snow plowing and removal, we are happy to assist with resolving any issues you run into this winter. It is crucial that we work together to make downtown accessible for all during the winter season.

Here is some general information and FAQs about snow downtown this winter.

Streets and alleys
The City is responsible for plowing the streets and alleys. The MDOT trunk lines and emergency routes receive first priority for clearing in the morning and get continually plowed throughout the day if snow continues to accumulate. The City then moves on to major and local streets, then alleys. Snow removal downtown typically takes place overnight and into the early morning hours when access is most clear, then continues throughout the day if snow continues to accumulate.

Sidewalks
If over 3 inches of snow accumulates overnight, the City contracts with Molon to clear the sidewalks of snow early in the morning. Molon will only clear first thing in the morning when the sidewalk is clear of pedestrians—they do not continually clear sidewalks throughout the day for the safety of pedestrians. If snow continues to accumulate throughout the day after being cleared in the morning, property owners are responsible for shoveling their storefront sidewalk as needed.

If under 3 inches of snow have accumulated overnight, the sidewalks will not be cleared by the City/Molon. By City ordinance, property owners are responsible for shoveling their storefront sidewalk as needed. When shoveling your sidewalks, it is important to pile snow around the street trees and not in the street or around meters. This improves accessibility when individuals are exiting their vehicles.

Street parking
The City plows the snow from the road to the curb/parking spaces. While this may partially impede some street parking spots in heavy snow conditions, every effort is made by the City to keep street parking as clear as possible and street parking is still available for use unless otherwise indicated. Cars parked on the street for long durations during heavy snowfall may become “boxed in” during plowing and is an assumed risk and responsibility of the driver in snowy conditions. Local ordinance prohibits parking on streets between the hours of 3:00am-6:00am for winter maintenance operations.

Parking lots
City owned parking lots are plowed by the City and its contractor, Molon. Owners of private lots are responsible for clearing their lots.

Benches/Signs/Trash cans
Currently, the City does not have the staffing capacity for snow removal beyond essential pathways for drivers and pedestrians. The DDA is exploring options for consistent removal for these amenities downtown visitors rely on. In the meantime, the DDA’s small staff is assisting in clearing and merchants should feel welcome to as well if they see fit. The City does not provide these enhanced snow removal services anywhere else in the city. The City will maintain all city owned signs, and garbage removal is contracted through GFL.