Central Neighborhood Association

Quarterly Meeting

March 18, 2026

 

Call to Order at 6:00 p.m.

Approximately 25 CNA residents in attendance.

 

Minutes are posted on our website.

Motion to accept minutes as distributed made by Joan Sullivan, seconded by Chris Fechner.  Minutes approved.

Finance Report by President, Matt Hanley

Beginning balance $1,103.11 year to date income $895.00 and expenses $428.52.  Ending year to date balance of $1569.59.

Motion to accept financials made by Mike Sullivan, seconded by Sally Haney.  Motion approved.

 

Heather Smith:  The Watershed Center presented information on the usage of road salt/de-icing salt on our rivers, streams and waterways.  She indicated that surface water falls into one area and ends up in the Grand Traverse Bay which impacts our water quality.  Chloride-based de-icing salts are entering Kids Creek.   She was awarded a grant to talk to groups in our area to discuss the creek and responsible use of road salts.  She provided the group with information as to the effects of the usage on aquatic life.  She also provided the group with a handout “Salt Guide” for those who were interested and a Responsible Salt Use Pledge form.  She encouraged everyone to think about good salt usage and to spread the word. 

 

Christine Thomas-Hill of TCAPS and John Dancer, architect, provided an overview of the Central Grade School upgrades and demolition.  They provided a slide show of how the building will look.  There will be a new front entrance on 7th Street and they will be lowering the grade so it will now be ADA approved.  The third story will be completely renovated; no classrooms will be on this level.  Rather the third floor will contain conference rooms to be utilized by the school and outside groups.  There will be demolition of a dead-end corridor, a rebuilding of the area where the boiler is currently located.  A new lunchroom, boiler area and ingress/egress areas will be situated so that early childhood students can be brought in to meet their teachers as required by law.

The small gym will be eliminated to accommodate the construction of a second-floor entrance providing access to the upper levels.   The historic decorative tiles currently in the small gym are being preserved and will be placed in the corridors.  There will be all new bathrooms, the auditorium will remain with new painting, lighting and other minor details. 

 

Supervision in the hallways will increase, and interiors will feature blue and green designs.   There will be an increase in the size of the parking lot and a smaller but functional playground with still room for soccer etc.  The garden at the southwest corner will remain. 

 

This is a 3 year project with a completion date of May 2029.  Students will be attending Glen Loomis during those three years.  If a child requires busing to Glen Loomis that will be made available.  There is a possibility that once students return to Central Grade School Glen Loomis could become a child care center which would require a future bond proposal. 

 

The historic expansion has reached nearly 20% of the necessary signatures.

An issue was raised regarding parking on 5th and Maple being dangerous with too many cars parking close to the corner.  It was suggested that residents contact the City Street Department either via telephone or email. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.