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Council adopts brownfield plan for 1500 Coolman; developer to seek reimbursement for contamination cleanup
Summary
The council approved a 17‑year brownfield tax increment financing (TIF) plan (plus five years to the local brownfield revolving fund) for a proposed development at 1500 Coolman Street. The plan reimburses remediation costs tied to identified contaminants.
Grand Haven City Council on Tuesday adopted a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for the 1500 Coolman project, approving a 17‑year tax increment capture period with an additional five‑year capture directed to the local brownfield revolving fund.
Administration recommended approval; council moved and approved the final resolution by roll call (Fritz: yes; Lowe: yes; McLaughlin: yes; Manetta: yes).
City staff summarized that the proposal will redevelop a long‑vacant parcel into 12 commercial storage units. The brownfield plan includes reimbursement for eligible environmental response activities related to contaminants identified on site, specifically arsenic, copper and lead. The estimated total request for reimbursement in the brownfield plan was described as “a little over $532,000.”
Council discussion noted the site has been vacant for many years and that redevelopment would return taxable value to the city. The brownfield reimbursement mechanism means that increases in property tax value over a baseline will be used to reimburse the developer for eligible cleanup costs over the approved capture period, rather than immediately increasing tax receipts for taxing jurisdictions.
A council member explained remediation work described in the plan would include removal and handling of contaminated soils and installation of stormwater controls; the applicant and a city‑hired third‑party reviewer (PMR) evaluated the financial plan and recommended proceeding. An audience representative and the applicant’s representative (Roman) were present; the finance director (Emily) and other staff were available to answer council questions.
Council members framed the decision as a balance between foregone short‑term tax increment versus promoting reuse of a parcel that otherwise might remain vacant for decades. The council recorded a unanimous approval and directed staff to finalize the necessary documents.
Motion language in the packet read: “Consideration by city council of a resolution to approve and adopt the Brownfield redevelopment plan for the 1500 Coolman project located at 1500 Coolman Street … for a period of 17 years with an additional capture of 5 years for deposit into the local brownfield revolving fund. Administration recommends approval.”
The council did not attach additional conditions to the resolution beyond approvals and the standard administrative steps to finalize reimbursement agreements and documents.
