The Cass St. facility is getting a makeover.

BATA Driving for Better Service, Brand

Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) is kicking off plans to improve its infrastructure, services, and its brand. The effort will begin with improvements to its Cass Street facility in Traverse City. BATA management opened construction bids yesterday from six local contractors vying for the work. The apparent low bidder on the project – at $329,000 – is Traverse City-based Eckler Building Solutions. BATA is required by the Michigan Department of Transportation to award the project to the lowest bidder, as long as it meets all requirements of the contract. BATA’s independent cost estimate for the project was $300,000.

The facility first opened in 1989 and is long overdue for some maintenance – including a new roof, and energy-efficient windows and doors. But the most noticeable improvements to the community will be an addition to the entrance area, which faces South Airport Road, and some cosmetic work that will make it very similar in appearance to the Hall Street transfer station, built in 2006.

“We’re giving public transit a distinct brand in the community,” says Executive Director Tom Menzel. Local architect Ray Kendra of CWS Architects, designer of the Hall Street facility, also did the design for the Cass Street improvements. more

1-25-12: Today, Parker Ayres, the suspect that fired upon two Grand Traverse Sheriffs deputies on September 23, 2011 during a botched break-in at the Medicap Pharmacy in Blair Township, was found guilty of two counts of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder; breaking and entering; two counts of felonious assault; felon in possession of a firearm; possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony; and being a habitual offender. Ayers was not found guilty of assault with intent to murder by the jury.

1-23-12: Traverse City Police are investigating an attempted burglary at Thompson’s Pharmacy on South Union Street. Police responded to a 911 call of an alarm. Upon arrival officers found a door on the business had been pried open. Apparent entry into the business was made but it appears nothing was taken.

1-23-12: Traverse City Police took custody of a male suspect after an incident at Northwestern Michigan College. Police were contacted by an 86th District Court Probation Officer regarding a 24 year-old male suspect who was wanted on an outstanding warrant. The suspect was to attend a class on NMC’s campus at 1pm. City Officers found the suspect on campus and attempted to arrest him. During this contact the suspect was able to obtain a premixed combination of substances he had concealed on his person. After being controlled the suspect admitted to attempting to kill himself with the combination of drugs and bleach and other substances. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene and transported the male suspect to Munson Hospital

1-19-12: The former director of The Society of St. Vincent DePaul has been arrested and charged with seven Felony counts of embezzlement ranging in time from January 2005 through October 2010 when she was terminated. Mary Lee Flohe, 69, of Elmwood Township, was charged and turned herself in to Traverse City Police on January 18, at which time she was lodged at the Grand Traverse County jail. She was arraigned this morning, January 19, in the 86th District Court. Flohe was the Director of The Society of St. Vincent DePaul for nearly twenty years. The embezzlement charges allege that Flohe converted cash donations and proceeds of merchandise donated to their Beitner Street location for her and her family’s personal use. Flohe will next appear in 86th District Court on February 2 for her preliminary exam.

1-16-12: Traverse City Police responded to a reported personal injury accident at the Tom's Eastbay parking lot. Upon arrival an investigation showed that a BATA bus driver was in the parking lot completing paper work when the bus moved forward striking a parked car. This parked car was pushed forward striking a second parked vehicle. A 40 year-old Fife Lake woman was attempting to get into this second parked vehicle when it was struck. She complained of hip pain but refused medical treatment. The BATA bus was empty of passengers at the time of the incident and no alcohol was involved. No citations were issued in this private property accident.

1-14-12:  At 2:45pm, Grand Traverse Sheriff's Deputies and emergency responders were summoned to the VASA trail to an area near Strombolis road to a report of a man down. The preliminary information reveals that a 61 year-old Williamsburg man that was apparently skiing on the VASA trail was found unresponsive in an area near "the rock". The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene. The preliminary investigation does not show signs of foul play. The investigation will continue. UPDATE: Victim has been identified as Brian Donnelly of Williamsburg.

1-13-12: At approx. 1:19pm, deputies from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office responded to a snowmobile crash on Mayfield Rd. near Garfield Rd in Paradise Twp. It was determined at the scene that a 28 year-old Traverse City man operating his snowmobile lost control on Mayfield Rd and struck a tree. The Traverse City man was transported to Munson Hospital, where later that day he was pronounced dead. The crash is still under investigation and no further information will be released at this time. UPDATE: Victim has been identified as Ryan Crandall of Traverse City.