Last Week at Rotary - May 18, 2023

Posted by John Hoekstra

City of Holland Report

Keith VanBeek, Holland City Manager, gave a summary of what are the latest developments in the city. During the pandemic, the staff had a saying that they needed to "keep the trains running". They did that and planned for the future. The staff projects the city needs for 50 years in the future and has financing worked out for 20 years. Here is what is in progress.

City of Holland Projects

  • The installation is starting on the broadband service authorized by the voters. It is projected that the city will be able to offer 1Gb bidirectional service to every household for a maximum of $42/month.
  • The anaerobic biodigester is up and running at the sewage treatment plant.
  • The bonds for the energy park were paid off 10 years early. This saved $40 million.
  • The lack of housing is a large problem at every price point. The LG Energy expansion will only put more pressure on this.
  • Downtown will be getting a refresh with some repairs and upgrades.
  • The fire station at Waverly and 32nd is getting a major upgrade. Kollen Park station will follow with an upgrade.
  • The extension of College Ave and replacement of utilities on 6th Street has started. The street and sidewalks will have snowmelt.
  • The work on 6th St is in preparation for the ice park. About 60% of the money for the park has been raised through crowdfunding.
  • The new city recreation center will be built at 16th and Fairbanks around the existing Bouws pool.
  • Voters just approved the land swap between the former James DeYoung plant and the VerPlank property. This will move all of the commercial use of the lake to one area.
  • The Waterfront Holland plan covers the use between Windmill Island and Kollen Park. The land swap will facilitate the plan.
  • This week a group of volunteers painted the lakeside fence along Kollen Park. This saved the city about $100,000.