Downtown parking, Columbus Ave. on Monday Council agenda

Grand Haven City Council members will be asked Monday if they want to invest in changes to the downtown overnight parking program. Council is being asked to approve the purchase and installation of a new park-and-pay station at the corner of Franklin Avenue and First Street. This station will allow overnight visitors the opportunity to purchase parking permits and eliminate the need for the park-and-ride service provided by the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety.

Alex Doty

Grand Haven

Jun 4, 2011

The approval would also allow for changes to the way lots are designed for permit parking downtown, allowing for permit parking almost anywhere.

The decision on what to do with Columbus Avenue will also be on Monday night’s agenda. Based on a request submitted to the city by the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, it is asked that Columbus from Harbor to Fifth streets be a two-way roadway.

Additionally, officials will also be taking steps to advance the process to possibly implement a principal shopping district within Grand Haven’s Downtown Development Authority. The proposed PSD would involve a special assessment on property within the DDA in core and non-core zones. This assessment would generate annual revenue of $102,717, city officials said, and would last for an initial term of 10 years.

It is likely that a public hearing on the plan will take place on June 20.