HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The Holland City Council authorized the sale of the city’s greenhouse to The Commons of Evergreen. A group known as the Heart of Holland has committed 500 thousand dollars to the city to extend snowmelt from downtown south along Central Avenue and then west on 20th Street to the senior center. As part of the deal, Evergreen would acquire the greenhouse from the city, but the city would retain use of the property for two additional growing seasons at a cost of $1 per year. The greenhouse property has been appraised at 40 thousand dollars.
Also during the Wednesday night meeting, a Holland junk hauler found out he won’t be allowed to stay in business, at least for now. Council unanimously concurred with the City Clerk’s decision to revoke the second-hand dealer and rubbish-hauling for Joe Lindgrem’s businesses – “If It’s Got To Go, Maybe Joe” and “Maybe Joe Resale” – on Lincoln Avenue. Deputy City Clerk Anna Perales earlier this summer recommended the city strip Lindgrem of his rubbish-hauling and second-hand dealer licenses because of constant complaints about the condition of the property. The City Council held off on a decision to allow Lindgrem to try to fix the problem, but Community and Neighborhood Services officials say multiple inspections have shown more violations. Nearby residents have signed petitions calling on the city to deny renewing Lindgrem’s licenses. Mayor Bob Vande Vusse told Lindgrem before the vote to reapply for those licenses once the property is cleaned up.
– Greg Chandler contributed to this report
