City commission rejects powerboat race plan

TRAVERSE CITY (AP) — The Traverse City Commission has rejected a proposal to bring high-speed powerboat races to Grand Traverse Bay.

MLive reported Tuesday the commission voted 6-0 against a proposal that would have brought the Grand Traverse Bay Offshore classic to a 5-mile loop section of the West Bay on Aug. 9-12, 2018.

The American Power Boat Association and the Offshore Power Boat Association were leading the proposal, but community members expressed concerns over the amount of noise the event would create. A proposal said boat speeds would range from 80 to 120 mph.

Organizers estimated the nationally televised races would have been attended by as many as 100,000 people.