Z EELAND R ECORD THE
Vol. 129-No.47
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Zeeland, Michigan
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Serving Western Michigan for more than 128 Years
• September 21, 2023
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Cost$1.00/copy $30/year
MAX Launches Community Engagement Transit Study The Macatawa Area Express (MAX) Transit Authority is embarking on a comprehensive transit study to better understand the needs of current riders and potential riders. Starting this week, MAX is launching community outreach activities for the greater Holland/Zeeland community. “Public transportation is key community infrastructure that impacts the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. The greater Holland/Zeeland area has also grown and developed considerably in the last 15 to 20 years. We are excited to have this study to lay the groundwork for the future,” said Elisa Hoekwater, Executive Director for MAX. All community residents - riders and non-riders - are welcome to provide their feedback via a brief survey from now through early October. The English/Spanish survey can be found online at transitstudy. mysocialpinpoint.com.
Paper copies of the survey are also available at MAX Depot at the Padnos Transportation Center, 171 Lincoln Ave, Holland; Community Action House, 793 Paw Paw Drive, Holland; Evergreen Commons, 480 State Street, Holland; Holland Charter Township Offices, 353, 120th Ave, Holland; and Howard Miller Library, 14 South Church Street, Zeeland. “Our goal is to identify opportunities for improved service delivery to meet ridership needs, and to improve access to jobs and regional connections,” added Sandra Korhorn, the Mobility Manager who is spearheading this project. Following the initial survey, a public open house will be held on Tuesday, October 24 from 4pm to 6:30pm at Evergreen Commons, for the community to share their experiences and needs for future services.
Lakeshore Advantage Releases Industry Trends Report Primary employers in Ottawa and Allegan Counties are nimble and overcoming talent shortages with automation, according to a Lakeshore Advantage report released last week Wednesday, September 13. West Michigan’s Lakeshore Region 2023 Industry Trends Report is the analysis of more than 120 local business executive interview responses. Executives across the two counties were interviewed from June 2022 through May 2023. A majority—more than sixty percent—reported feeling somewhat or very prepared to adopt ‘smart’ technologies. “Manufacturing is the backbone of this economy” said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “Companies that are investing in technology are growing. We are focused on helping small to midsized manufacturers understand the tools and resources available to leverage so they can stay competitive and create safe, goodpaying jobs.” The report features primary research analysis and secondary data which shows key points about the economic health of the region. Of those interviewed 52% said they plan to expand in the next three years; 98% reported an increasing or stable market share; 91% reported total company sales as increasing or stable; 86% shared that they plan to introduce new products, services, and/or capabilities in the next two years; 70% of companies reported tuition reimbursement offerings compared to a national average of 48%; and This year, more businesses reported operating at regular hours as opposed to operating with overtime or decreased hours. The lakeshore region has a concentrated cluster of automation solutions providers and a talent pipeline that supports the growing
automation job market. The number of automation engineers in the region has increased by forty percent over the last five years and the occupation is projected to grow an additional fifteen percent in the next five, according to data produced by Lightcast. These providers support West Michigan’s heavily manufacturing-based economy (23%, compared to 16% for the rest of the state, according to the Michigan Center for Data & Analytics), as well as manufacturers worldwide. When asked about adopting smart technologies, cost and lack of staff expertise were identified as the top two barriers. An additional top barrier to growth reported by employers was supply chain disruptions. The report also summarizes actions taken by area nonprofits and local units of government in response to other issues posing challenges to the region’s economy, including: Housing Next’s efforts to raise and leverage millions of dollars across West Michigan for workforce housing; The Outdoor Discovery Center’s Ottawa County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to increase childcare capacity by 1,000 spots over the next three years; and Allegan County’s commitment of ARPA funding toward expanded broadband, matched by provider, 123Net®, and supplemented by Michigan ROBIN grant funding. “Our job is to ensure that current and future generations want to live and work in the lakeshore region” said Vice President of Business Solutions for Lakeshore Advantage, Amanda Murray. “Our focus is on primary employers. They make a choice to be in this community and we need to keep them healthy and growing.”
Grant Sought for BL-196 Pedestrian Crossings For over 20 years local leaders have dreamed of creating a friendly pedestrian crossing for BL-196 whether it was a tunnel or a bridge to provide access for core community residents to safely travel to Huizenga Park, and Royal Park residents wanting to bike or walk to the downtown
shops and restaurants. That idea took a step closer to reality on Monday evening as the Zeeland City Council approved a Letter of Support for a Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC) application for a Reconnecting Communities (Continued on page 6)
The 96th Ave. bridge over the Black River in Zeeland Township has reopened to traffic between Adams St. and Ottogan St. The $3.26 million project began in April, and was completed ahead of the estimated project completion date of Nov. 10, 2023.
Centennial Conversion Receives Little Opposition at Public Hearing A proposal to return Centennial Street between Main and Central avenues back to two-way traffic received very little opposition during a public hearing on Monday evening, Sept. 18, that was hosted by the City Council. Since March the city has been conducting a pilot program with Centennial being two-way between Main and Central to gather traffic data, but also to assist in traffic flow during the Main Street Snowmelt Project. Prior to that time Centennial between Main and Central only permitted northbound traffic. “During peak times we observed twenty vehicles that traveled that segment of the street. That equates to one vehicle every three minutes, which is very low,” explained City Traffic Engineer Pete LaMourie of Progressive AE. Four residents attended the public hearing with questions on when the study was done and how parking would be regulated. “It doesn’t’ make much sense that parking is prohibited on Centennial north of Main to Washington but is permitted on
one side of the street south of Main,” stated Ken DeBruyn a Maple Street resident. “Parking is prohibited on Centennial between Central and Main during school hours. Parking is permitted on evenings and weekends to assist the residences located along the street,” explained Kevin Plockmeyer, Assistant City Manager of City Services/Infrastructure and Finance. Another resident was concerned about the narrowness of the street. “I am not in favor of making Centennial two-way traffic. I have lived on Central for 29 years and frequently use Centennial. I am not in favor of trying to dodge oncoming traffic and parked vehicles along Centennial. It is not safe,” said Mel Plockmeyer a Central Avenue resident. The City Council is expected to make a decision on returning Centennial to twoway traffic at their next meeting. City officials are still trying to determine the costs for returning Maple Street between Lincoln and Central Avenue and are expected to hold a public hearing on that proposal later this year.
Contract Awarded for 135/137 E. Main Demolition The Zeeland City Council took a step forward in the transition of downtown Zeeland on Monday evening as they approved a bid for the demolition of 135/137 E. Main in preparation for a new three-story development by Wooden Nickel Properties LLC that will facilitate the expansion of Moxy Dental and Airway, and Public restaurant, along with eight
residential apartments on the second and third floors. The council awarded a bid to Pro Tech Environmental in the amount of $48,700 and set a project budget of $53,700 for the demolition of the current structures. In the original development agreement with Wooden Nickel Properties LLC the city (Continued on page 9)