Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Spaces topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council directs staff to pursue Marilla Lounge redesign at the Griswold Auditorium
Summary
City staff presented Griswold Auditorium improvements and council approved proceeding with budgeting and bids for a Marilla Lounge interior redesign using funds raised by the Allegan Lions Club and an $8,000 community foundation grant, with work planned for 2026.
City staff reviewed recent capital work at the historic Griswold Auditorium and asked council to direct them to budget and solicit bids to complete a Marilla Lounge interior redesign. The council approved the request at the Dec. 8 meeting.
Staff described recent exterior and interior preservation work completed by Vintage Building and Restoration and said the project came in under the original $172,000 budget, with actual expenditures around $138,000. The city also received an $8,000 grant from the Allegan County Community Foundation and raised more than $5,000 through a joint fundraiser with the Allegan Lions Club. Staff proposed using those funds plus available budgets to finish work in 2026, including new furniture and furnishings, a serving bar with a cooler and three-compartment sink, a small performance stage and new patio furniture.
Staff said the Marilla Lounge redesign aims to create a flexible, sophisticated event space to increase programming and rental value and support the Griswoldahead of its 100th anniversary in 2029. Council moved and supported staff to continue budgeting for the redesign and to seek contractor proposals.
