An Interview with Traverse City's Mayor Smyka

Traverse City's Mayor, Linda Smyka, sits down with YourPlace.

YourPlace is committed to developing and communicating a practical understanding of the role a sense of place plays in planning and developing human communities.  To ensure the long-term viability of our community, public officials and citizens need to be engaged in a dialogue about what is unique about our sense of place.  YourPlace is pleased to present this interview with Traverse City's Mayor, Linda Smyka.  In this interview the Mayor defines and characterizes her own place-based values.  What follows are the questions asked and a brief summary of each response.  To hear the whole interview, just click on the play button below.

The Mayor has a particular affinity for the Commons. Pictured here is Building 50.

1.)    In your opinion, what are the characteristics of Traverse City that give it a unique sense of place?

 

I think the first thing that comes to mind is the unique setting of Traverse City, on pristine water, the fact that it was an industrial city, built there for a very specific purpose.  It has remained absolutely wonderfully inviting; the setting is the most unique thing.

 

2.)    Do you think culture and heritage play an important role in forming our sense of place?  Have these characteristics shifted in recent years?

 

Absolutely, our heritage as a manufacturing kind of town or a lumber town.  Which lead to the creation of the city and the sense of place that folks desire to move her for employment that have evolved over time.  Our culture has changed, so we have been doing a lot over the past few years, such as the removal of factories from the waterfront, the purchase of the west end beach property and most recently planning on the bay front called Your bay, Your say, 12 miles, what are going to do with it for the future.

 

3.)    How do you think festivals and other cultural events factor into our sense of place?  For example, do you think of the Cherry Festival and Film Festival create a sense of place?  Or can a sense of place be created?

 

I think absolutely, that sense of place can be created.  I am a huge supporter of the cherry festival and participated in the festival for many years before I moved here.  The celebration of our cherry heritage has been what the cherry festival is all about, and it has be very welcoming and educational for folks come to have fun and learn about our wonderful place.  The film festival invites a different group to the area and makes them feel very welcome.  I think both of those are great example on how we can create sense of place. 

 

 

4.)    As the mayor of Traverse City, do you have a role in defining and protecting our community's sense of place?

 

As a mayor and a member of the city commission, we absolutely have a role in defining and protecting our community's sense of place.  Very often our average citizens don't realize what it is about a particular area that makes them want to be there, but until it's gone they absolutely realize it.  We have begun to understand better than ever what a sense of place is and how to enhance and protect it.  

 

5.)    Where is your favorite place, streetscape, or park in town?

 

• Favorite place: I have a particular affinity for the commons, which was a big part of Traverse City's history. I have been a long term planning commissioners and was on the planning commission when we first initiated all the planning to rehabilitate that particular property. I think it already has a sense of place but as it becomes more lived in and more enhanced it will become even more wonderful
• Favorite streetscape: I think our downtown streetscapes very inviting, they make folks who are downtown, and especially for those who are walking who have a definite priority. It has paid of in the kinds of businesses wanting to locate downtown
• Favorite Park: The brand new Jay Smith Walkway, which was just rehabbed. It is a little tiny pocket park. It is wonderfully inviting and I am just thrilled with the way it turned out.