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Developers present replica-based plan for former diesel plant; council asks staff for follow-up
Summary
Developers from Lakewood Construction and Capstone updated the council on years of work to repurpose the former diesel plant, described structural testing and financial constraints, and proposed rebuilding a replica with limited public access; council asked staff to meet with developers and the historic council and return with options.
Developers seeking to redevelop the former diesel plant presented a new plan to the Grand Haven City Council on May 18, emphasizing structural testing, ownership changes and options that try to balance historic character with financial feasibility.
The presentation, led by Kyle Engbers of Lakewood Construction and John Grotheis of Capstone, reviewed a multiyear effort to salvage and reuse the building after the city closed on and sold the property following a 2023 bidding process. Engbers said the team ran multiple tenant due-diligence efforts and ‘‘there’s never been a time that I haven't remained excited about this project.’’ He summarized testing of precast panels, roof trusses and asbestos assessments conducted to evaluate reuse viability.
John Grotheis described the concept the team is prepared to pursue if preservation in place proves infeasible: ‘‘What we’re proposing is not the way if I had a clean slate that I would go ahead and develop that site,’’ he said, adding the design would attempt to ‘‘pay tribute to the history of that site’’ while acknowledging constraints such as limited outdoor amenity space for future unit owners.
Neighbors and council members questioned whether the replica approach would meet community goals. Neighbor Cecil Bridal urged a ‘‘robust disciplined evaluation of the economic impact, the aesthetic impact, [and] the community impact,’’ and criticized a past water-bill survey as insufficient evidence of citywide preference. Several council members likewise said they supported preserving historic character but asked for more clarity on public access and on alternatives to a near-faithful replica that could limit livability.
Mayor Robert Manazzo and other members directed staff to continue discussions with the development team, consult the historic council and return to the council with more refined options and recommended next steps. No formal action was taken; staff said they will debrief with the developers and come back with a path forward so the council can provide more specific direction.
