GRAND HAVEN, MI – A master plan for portions of downtown Grand Haven and its riverfront that is anchored with a multi-use farmers market is ready for community input.
The “Beyond the Pier” master plan is about a year in the making and was briefly presented to the city council Monday, Feb. 15. It envisions new features along the waterfront, most of them for passive public recreation, as well as mixed-use infill development.
Part of the impetus for the plan was the demolition last year of the city’s Chinook Pier Shops due to hazardous mold caused by high water.
Rather than vote on the plan Monday, the council decided to send it to the planning commission, historic district commission and downtown development authority board for recommendations. It also wants to hear input from the public about the plan, which will be posted at www.beyondthepiergh.com.
The plan covers the area along Harbor Drive from Second Street to Franklin Avenue, the waterfront in that area – which is publicly owned space -- and several blocks of downtown, especially redevelopment of city-owned parking lots.
The primary goal of the plan is to better connect the downtown with the waterfront in a pedestrian and bicycle friendly manner with lots of green space.
It calls for a new partially enclosed farmers market at the site of the former shops, a small waterfront commercial area with space for the businesses that had been in those shops, a large deck and green spaces overlooking the waterfront, bike lanes and several infill projects.
City staff had wanted the council to approve seeking a request for qualifications for a mixed-use building with covered parking at a city-owned parking lot on the northeast corner of First Street and Franklin Avenue. The council decided to wait until it gets more input on the plan before pursuing the request for ideas from developers.
Among the highlights of the plan:
-- A new multi-use farmers market estimated to cost $6.5 million on the waterfront at the location of the former shops. Planners called this the biggest priority – though one that will be costly and take time to develop. The market would replace the current farmers market located farther north on the riverfront.
-- New shopping development dubbed North End Shops in the area of the current farmers market that would be comprised of one-story buildings with space for restaurants as well as the displaced Chinook Pier businesses. A previous proposal for housing in that area was dropped in response to public opposition.
-- A large deck overlooking the riverfront near the market that could have benches, picnic tables, fire pits and games.
-- Incubator micro shops – like those in Muskegon’s Western Market – and a food truck park in the Covenant Life parking lot across Harbor Drive from the river.
-- Addition of ice skating to the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium as well as temporary fire pits and warming huts to provide year-round use. The mini golf course would be moved closer to the stadium as would the playground, which would be expanded.
-- Infill developments on city-owned properties, mostly parking lots, on Franklin at First and Third streets, Washington Avenue at Harbor Drive, Columbus Avenue at Second and Third streets and Third at Elliott Street. It’s recommended that the city expand lease terms for its property from 10 to 30 years to help draw in committed developers.
-- Promote and expand the trolley service to help with displacement of some parking. That includes expanding trolley service along Harbor Drive to Third Street.
-- Additional street parking on Harbor Drive, which would both slow traffic and replace lots taken by other developments. A bike lane would be developed on the east side of the drive and a multi-use trail on its west side.
The plan proposes streetscape upgrades to First and Third streets and Franklin Avenue, which would be converted from a one-way to a two-way street.
First Street would be designated as a “pedestrian corridor” from the downtown to the waterfront. Bike lanes would be added to First and Third streets and Franklin Avenue as well as Harbor Drive.
Public opposition to a proposed parking structure at First and Franklin prompted that to be dropped in favor of a proposed mixed-use building with retail/restaurant space on the first floor as well as parking for residential units that would be on the upper floors.
Staff had recommended seeking proposals for that property to jump start implementation of the plan. But council members balked, saying they wanted more input first.
“To me, we’re getting the cart before the horse here,” said Council Member Dennis Scott. “I’d rather go a lot slower and get it right than get too far ahead of ourselves here.”
The plan was developed with input from citizens who responded to an online survey and attended virtual focus group sessions, pop-up engagement events and community workshops. A steering committee provided input and guidance and a market analysis was conducted to determine the feasibility of plan components.
Williams & Works of Grand Rapids has been providing consulting services for the plan.
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