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Council authorizes $1 million MEDC placemaking grant application for Seventh Street; members seek clarity on total project funding
Summary
Council voted to authorize submission of a $1,000,000 Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) revitalization and placemaking grant application for the Seventh Street (Clinton–Beacon) reconstruction project, while members flagged remaining questions about the full funding stack and timing.
Grand Haven City Council voted unanimously to authorize submission of a $1,000,000 revitalization and placemaking grant application to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for reconstruction of Seventh Street between Clinton and Beacon.
Dana Will, presenting the item, said the work would be a full‑scale reconstruction of Seventh Street, including streetscape and parking configuration changes, based on stakeholder input and concept work completed in 2019. Will and staff said the community has pursued this project for years and that the grant is one piece of a larger capital “stack” that must be assembled before the project proceeds.
Council discussion centered on affordability and which funds would carry the local match if the grant is awarded. Council referenced a $7.3 million total project estimate included in the meeting discussion and staff said the remaining funding would be assembled from a combination of federal pass‑through MDOT funds, enterprise funds (water and sewer/infrastructure), and other outside sources. Staff emphasized that council would only be asked to sign any final commitment after the full funding package is confirmed.
Council members asked whether committing to a grant application implied an immediate city obligation; staff said authorizing the application does not obligate the city to proceed if matching funds cannot be assembled. Questions were raised about competing priorities — including pension liabilities and Harbor Island work — but council members noted that water and sewer enterprise funds hold restricted balances that can be used for infrastructure projects.
The motion in the agenda read: “Resolution to authorize the submission of a revitalization and place making grant application for the Seventh Street Clinton to Beacon Boulevard project in the amount of $1,000,000 and commit the local match provided the project is funded.” The council approved the resolution by roll call (McLaughlin: yes; Lowe: yes; Fritz: yes; Manetta: yes).
Staff said the earliest realistic project timing is 2027 and council directed continued work to assemble the remaining funding sources and return with a full financing plan before any final commitment.
