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Holland hosting design sessions for revamping waterfront

The charrettes run from May 20-22.

HOLLAND, Mich. — In an attempt to connect Holland's industrial waterfront with the rest of city, officials are hosting design meetings this week to shape their vision.

The Waterfront Holland project took shape in 2017 when the James DeYoung power plant, located on Pine Avenue, was retired.

"We really needed to be much more intentional in looking at our waterfront," said Mark Vanderploeg, director of community and neighborhood services for the city of Holland. 

The waterfront area they are examining stretches from the Heinz Waterfront Walkway to the west and the Holland Energy Park to the east. 

Project leaders held the first slate of design charrettes in mid-April. The majority of public input was focused on access to the waterfront, including walkways, a potential marina, commercial and residential development, Vanderploeg said. 

"We want the development to be of a mixed use in nature with a high amount of amenities," he said. 

The second round of charrettes started Monday and run through Wednesday, May 22. The small group toured parts of the city before meeting to discuss plans. 

Holland's downtown can become, quite literally, on the water, said Bill Johnson, a resident and former dean of the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources. 

"We're using streets and walkways and greenways to connect various parts of a downtown," Johnson said. 

Execution of the project will likely require public and private partnership, Vanderploeg said.

The team will present a public summary of the charrette results at City Hall on May 23 at 6:30 p.m. 

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