Council authorizes staff to negotiate lease with Grand Haven Children's Museum for Central Park Place

City Council on Oct. 20 authorized staff to enter lease negotiations with the Grand Haven Children's Museum for museum space at Central Park Place.

City staff summarized the museums earlier proposal to use the lower level and a portion of the upper level of Central Park Place and to construct an addition at the buildings rear. Ashley, a city staff member, told council the proposal could significantly offset the facilitys operating costs and that staff sought consensus to negotiate terms including space use, base rent, utility contributions, construction timelines, and responsibilities for long-term maintenance and operations.

Council discussion was broadly favorable but focused on details staff should negotiate. Several councilmembers supported a low base rent to offset the museums operating burden and emphasized the city must protect existing rental arrangements so other tenants are treated equitably. Councilmember Lowe said a low rent could save the city hundreds of thousands in operating costs if the museum assumes utilities and other expenses. Councilmember McLaughlin and others pressed staff to define who will pay for building envelope work, mechanical systems and shared/common areas, and to assess parking and traffic impacts if the museum attracts substantial visitors.

Rachel Doty, representing the Grand Haven Children's Museum, thanked the council and said the museum board and volunteers are prepared to work with the city to make the project successful for the community and the region.

Council directed staff to negotiate terms and return with a draft lease for council consideration at a future meeting.