Zeeland council directs staff to advance downtown snowmelt boiler plant plan amid $1.4M estimate

Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Kevin Plockmeyer told the council the city is moving ahead with plans to expand the downtown snowmelt system and to build a boiler plant at 17 East Main to provide capacity for near‑term projects such as Church Street and portions of Washington and Elm avenues. Plockmeyer said a budget‑level estimate shows about $1.17 million in construction costs plus roughly $200,000 in engineering, for a total near $1.4 million, and that the city has budgeted $1.3 million in FY2027.

Plockmeyer explained the proposed plant would include three boilers with space for a fourth, and that the three boilers are necessary to serve Church Street and other near‑term expansion areas. Staff said final bid documents are targeted for completion by the end of May, bidding in June and construction completion in the fall, with the timing intended to align with the 2026–27 heating season.

Council heard that the Church Street Reconstruction project includes new snowmelt service for properties on Church Street; staff emphasized the system cannot be used for that season unless the boiler plant is completed. The city also is designing piping and valve locations to accommodate future phases, and staff said full buildout of the Washington corridor will require a second boiler plant, currently anticipated at a future project at 303 East Main.

At a separate public hearing during the meeting, Plockmeyer summarized the Snowmelt Special Assessment, noting the only substantive change from the previous assessment formula is the addition of Church Street properties; staff were not seeking adoption of the assessment roll at the April 20 meeting but requested confirmation that council supported the proposed service area. The council expressed support for staff to proceed with bidding and the design work.

Plockmeyer also flagged system‑level considerations from the adopted snowmelt master plan: the expansion would add approximately 95,000 square feet of snowmelt—nearly doubling the current system—and that expansion beyond the current service area raises coordination and crossing challenges (for example, crossing the railroad or State Street).

The study‑session briefing and public hearing also noted dependencies and next steps: completing final design details, resolving certain cost‑sharing items (venting and contractor contracts), and coordinating use of Brownfield TIF reimbursements where applicable. Staff will return with finalized bid documents and, as needed, follow‑up items tied to budget approvals.