The Placemaking Round-Up
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
The Biweekly Bazaar
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
“Traverse City is thrilled to be awarded the Project for Public Spaces Community Placemaking Grant. This award is a testament to the power of a grassroots effort to create a gathering space for locals, by locals.”— Amy Shamroe, Traverse City Mayor
The East Side Social District occupies slip lanes along a main street in Traverse City, MI, where seasonal street closures create a public commons that features outdoor seating, and local food and drink. While the District functions as a neighborhood gathering place and designated social area open to all, its temporary design is limited in accessibility, and lacking safe pedestrian crossings and amenities to connect both sides of the street. With a Community Placemaking Grant, the City of Traverse City and Project for Public Spaces aim to develop a flexible, people-first design that improves safety, accessibility, and comfort, and supports expanded programming and business activity.
In February 2026, as part of Project for Public Spaces' Community Placemaking Grants: Streets as Places & Destinations Stations, The City of Traverse City was selected as one of three organizations to receive $100,000 each in direct funding, as well as planning, implementation, and capacity building assistance from Project for Public Spaces.
Starting in February 2026, Project for Public Spaces’ Placemaking team will work with grantees to engage with their communities, co-create a vision for activation, develop designs, and support construction, and programmatic implementation for each place. Projects are expected to be completed by November 2026.
Learn more about Project for Public Spaces’ 2026 Community Placemaking Grants: Streets as Places & Destinations Stations.
Check back to see this space transform!
Project for Public Spaces’ Community Placemaking Grants enable US-based nonprofits and government agencies to address inequality of access to public places that serve community needs by working directly with local stakeholders to transform spaces or co-create new ones. We do this by providing direct funding, technical assistance, and capacity building facilitated by Project for Public Spaces. Learn more about how to become a Social Impact Partner today.
You can also support our work by making a donation. Every bit helps to bring public spaces to life!
