Council OKs lighthouse acquisition request

Tue, Nov 3, 2009    to del.icio.us

The city of Grand Haven's plan to acquire two lighthouses on the south pier is moving forward.

City Council Monday approved the submittal of an application to the U.S. National Park Service for the acquisition of the lighthouses on the pier's Grand Haven harbor entrance.

Once acquired, the lighthouses would be turned over to the newly created Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy, which would own and maintain the lighthouses using private funds. The conservancy is currently seeking status as a non-profit group.

"The conservancy put a lot of work in to submit the application," said Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy President Dave Karpin.

The application includes a report on the future use of the lighthouses, as well as finance, maintenance and management plans.

While the structures are in fair condition, it is estimated that about $291,000 in repairs — including painting and structure reinforcement — will be needed over the course of several years.

The conservancy will use the lighthouses as an educational experience for both tourists and residents of the area.