HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Now that a financial framework is in place, the renovation of the Holland Civic Center can begin in earnest.
Proponents of a 16.5 million-dollar plan to renovate the 62-year-old building and its vicinity are expressing confidence of raising two more million dollars in order for the entire project to become reality. An initial resolution at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting for the issuing of 10.5 million dollars in municipal bonds was defeated on a split vote, necessitating a compromise of 8.5 million dollars in bonds that did pass on a two-vote margin.
Speaking separately on 1450 WHTC on Friday, Holland Mayor Nancy DeBoer and one-time Tulip Time Festival Board Chairman Nathan Bocks expressed their gratitude that the project itself was not grounded. “I am so thankful that we have a project,” DeBoer told “WHTC Morning News.” “I am very committed to fund raise, to find that two million dollars that ‘disappeared’ on Wednesday night.”
“I’m glad to see the project is moving forward,” Bocks added on “WHTC Talk of the Town.” “What it means now is that city residents and the corporate community need to step up and be able to do the fundraising that needs to be done, to get the project done in a way that I think is the right way to get it done.”
City Manager Ryan Cotton, who appeared on Thursday’s “WHTC Talk of the Town” program, said that a January 2017 date to begin work has been targeted, with the hope of completion in about an 18-month span, depending on how smoothly the design, engineering and construction process goes. The bonds should be issued in December.
