Welcome to the Morgan Farms Neighborhood A Unique,
Mixed-Use Development in Traverse City

Traverse City (May 26) – Local officials gathered today to dedicate a new neighborhood popping up within the city limits of Traverse City – complete with single and multi-family housing units, shops, offices, a community center, senior housing, and even a corporate retreat.

Morgan Farms, bounded by M-72 West and Carter Road, is not really a subdivision. The 132-acre project on the west side of Traverse City is designed more as a community within a community than a subdivision. It offers a distinct neighborhood feel that captures the heritage and spirit of Traverse City’s traditional neighborhoods, yet offers spectacular views of Old Mission Peninsula and Grand Traverse Bay. Morgan Farms offers a variety of lifestyles with a focus on quality living and convenient, walkable access to basic services and conveniences within the neighborhood. The project contains plenty of greenery, too, with almost half of the total acreage (65 acres) devoted to open space.

Residential property choices include bay view building sites, wooded building sites, townhouses, single family homes, residential condominiums, residential apartments, senior housing and combined living / work units. Also included in the Morgan Farms Master Plan are retail shops, restaurants, commercial offices, banking and other services. A community center will serve as a focal point and provide a gathering place for community meetings and events, a fitness center, a day care center and rental opportunities for businesses. Fred Schaafsma, Morgan Farms Project Manager said the commercial sector, centered around a “village green,” is typical of a small downtown business sector, without any large retail or commercial buildings.

“The goal is to establish a lifestyle community with a variety of housing choices, opportunities for employment, local services and recreational facilities all within walking distance of one another, so residents wouldn’t necessarily need to get in a car and drive,” said Schaafsma. “We also are recreating the look and feel of traditional Traverse City neighborhoods, with sidewalks and front porches. All construction must follow architectural guidelines that will preserve that heritage.” Schaafsma added that the character of the buildings will follow the Arts and Crafts style of architecture that was first introduced in the 1920’s, but with contemporary touches.

The project developer is Morgan Farms Development, LLC. Included on the project team are Mission Bay Construction, R. Clark Associates, Inc., Traverse Architectural Group and Wells/Mansfield, Inc. The group worked closely with the City of Traverse
City Planning Department on the Morgan Farms Master Plan to ensure its consistency with the city’s Master Plan. While creating the neighborhood concept, the project partners were careful to protect the natural features of the site such as trees and open space.

According to City of Traverse City Planner Russ Soyring, Morgan Farms is the first real example of mixed-use development in the area. “It really will function more as a neighborhood than as a subdivision because it has all of the elements that would be reflected in a true mixed-use project – with housing, shopping, services and open space,” said Soyring. “It’s similar to the Bay Harbor development in Petoskey, but on a smaller scale.” Soyring said the most exciting aspects of the project are the open green space and the variety of living opportunities on the site. “Choices range from large rural estates to apartments that may be above a store. That helps to bring diversity to a neighborhood, and the common areas provide an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.”

The unique Morgan Farms property has a long and distinguished history. Originally the first producing cherry farm in the region, it was later planted with 60,000 pine trees resulting in an evergreen forest. The mass of evergreens along with many hardwoods creates the setting for the Morgan Farms community, preserving the rural character while offering close proximity to Traverse City services and amenities. Lots on the higher elevations of the property offer outstanding views of Grand Traverse Bay, Old Mission Peninsula and the city. Many portions of the property feature wooded sites, and the entire neighborhood is served by municipal water and sewer. The property was sold by Traverse City native Roland Habrecht, who personally planted many of the trees on the property. Schaafsma said the development brings to life the vision Mr.Habrecht who owned the property for decades.

According to Schaafsma, the site will be developed in two phases. The first phase, currently under construction, includes 58 acres on the lower portion of the sloping property. Work is underway on utilities and paving along with residential sites, two commercial sites and a bank location. Phase two construction will begin in summer 2005 and will include the remainder of the commercial sites, community center and higher elevation residential sites.

To learn more about Morgan Farms, visit www.morganfarms-tc.com.

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