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Grand Haven council reviews draft six-year capital plan, highlights dock, tower and Harbor Island costs
Summary
City staff presented a draft 2025–26 capital plan and six-year outlook March 17, flagging large enterprise-fund projects — including a water tower replacement, marina dock repairs and anticipated Harbor Island work — and noting several items depend on outside grants.
City of Grand Haven staff presented a draft six-year capital improvement plan to the City Council on March 17, outlining proposed projects for fiscal 2025–26 and later years and flagging several items that depend on outside funding.
The presentation covered the fiscal 2024–25 amended budget, the proposed 2025–26 budget, and project lists submitted by departments. Staff said the materials are a first draft and will be adjusted as departments finalize cost estimates and as the council reviews priorities during the April work session.
Why it matters: the capital plan lists high-cost, enterprise-funded projects that could shape waterfront access and utilities maintenance in coming years and that the city intends to seek outside funding for, including state and federal grants and ARPA funds.
City staff told council some projects planned for the coming year are not dependent on outside funding, while others were pushed into future years pending grant approvals. Staff repeatedly emphasized the draft nature of the plan: numbers are preliminary and the council will revisit specifics during the budget process.
Key projects and details discussed
- Water tower replacement: Staff said the 5-Mile Hill tower replacement is included in the water/sewer enterprise fund and currently budgeted at roughly a quarter-million dollars (staff noted that figure is preliminary and subject to change as final estimates arrive).
- Marina/commercial docks: Council and staff discussed planned investment for the city'owned commercial dock and charter captain docks. Staff said the commercial dock is in poor condition and that staff are exploring lower-cost repair options but included a worst-case budgeting approach in the draft.
- Harbor Island: The plan shows major spending in later years for Harbor Island work. Staff said the line in the plan includes anticipated outside funding sources (American Rescue Plan Act and state grants) and is meant to signal expected needs when the city seeks state and federal support.
- Airport and motor pool variances: Councilmember questions about large variances in the airport and motor pool funds were answered by staff, who said the differences stem from timing changes on projects and expected federal grants that may move into the next fiscal year. The motor pool variance largely reflects postponing a Department of Public Safety garage rebuild into the next year.
- Park and waterfront projects: The draft includes funding for Riverview Walk, boardwalk improvements (partly supported by outside funding received this fiscal year), Connector Park/Ricks Robinson Park refurbishment (still under discussion) and prioritized dock repairs for charter operators.
Funding and process notes
Staff said the departments, finance director and city manager compiled the draft. Where projects expect outside funding, staff indicated those amounts will shift if grants are delayed or not awarded; several items are deliberately shown in later years to strengthen grant applications by demonstrating the city has them on an adopted plan.
Councilmembers asked for additional engineering review on dunes and shoreline-related projects, specifically urging the project engineers to ensure footings and erosion-control details are sufficient for sloped sandy conditions.
What's next
Staff asked the council to treat the document as a working draft and said a fuller budget and capital presentation will be considered at the council's April work session, when line items will be reconciled and priorities set.
