Grand Haven museum group proposes 13,500 sq. ft. lease at Central Park Place, seeks council guidance

Grand Haven — The Grand Haven Children’s Museum on Oct. 6 presented a public-private lease proposal to the Grand Haven City Council to occupy about 13,500 square feet of Central Park Place and asked council for feedback ahead of a planned Oct. 20 follow-up to consider whether to authorize staff to negotiate lease terms.

The proposal seeks a 10-year initial lease with five 5-year renewal options. Museum representatives said the group would pay $2,150 per month in rent during construction and, once operational, transition to a nominal rent of $1 per year while taking on a share of operating costs such as utilities, trash and snow removal. The museum also proposes to privately fund a main-level expansion and exhibit build-out, estimated in the presentation at between $1.5 million and $2 million, with the city retaining ownership of any improvements when completed.

The museum’s pitch said the project could reduce the city’s operating costs for Central Park Place and increase downtown foot traffic year-round. “We believe this lease proposal can be a hopeful marriage of 2 things,” Rachel Doty, a presenter for the Grand Haven Children’s Museum, told council.…