HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The City of Holland has decided to not to go through with plans for the bridge at Windmill Island.
The non-motorized bridge linking Windmill Island Gardens with Holland’s North Side near the Boar’s Head plant would have been for walkers and bicyclists.
City Manager Ryan Cotten says the bridge was part of a four year strategic and business plan for the island. The windmill was broken and now it’s fixed and the island is being improved in all ways. Holland Charter Township was a partner in it and shared all the costs. The city also received grants of 1.4 Million dollars.
“Long story short there are issues with some land rights needed on the north side. Holland Charter Township said they can’t participate in this construction because the bridge would not have a good landing point. We’re going to plan B which is to improve the island, make it safe along the causeway to walk to and from with a separated pathway. Improve the island with a kayak launch, fishing platform and make it as attractive as possible. The cool thing is the Holland Energy Park is now nearing completion with 15 acres around the new power plant. Part of that includes a trail system that the Macatawa Greenway is part of. It’s positioned to go underneath the railroad track for points east and west.”
Cotten says there used to be a tunnel there that could be potentially funded if the funders for the other bridge agree to a switch. It would be away of connecting Windmill Island in a similar fashion to what the bridge was intended for.
Council has decided to keep the whole plan intact and instead swap the bridge for the tunnel.
