GRAND HAVEN — Plans for a 128-room Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown Grand Haven moved a significant step forward recently after the city's planning commission recommended approval of a crucial zoning change for the proposed development. 

The project, slated for the former Fifth Third Bank property at 233 Washington Ave., now heads to the city council for review in June after gaining initial approval from the planning commission at the May 13 meeting. 

Developers from 6PM Hospitality Partners LLC, based out of Zeeland, are seeking to rezone the 1.41-acre parcel from a central business district to a planned development district. This change, if approved by the city council, would allow for the construction of a five-story hotel, exceeding the standard four-story height limit for the central business district but remaining within the 96-foot maximum allowed for planned developments.

The Zeeland-based developers, run by seasoned hospitality professional Peter D. Beukema, have years of experience in hotel development. 

Chandi Pape, executive director of the Grand Haven Downtown Development Authority (DDA), emphasized the long-standing need for such a development.

"A hotel has been on the DDA's goal list for at least 30 years," Pape said. "What it really helps with is driving year-round traffic and tourism to downtown and helps all our businesses. As a resident of Michigan, if you look back at traveling to Traverse City 20 years ago, it wasn't a year-round destination until they started building hotels,” she said. 

“A hotel could drive more development, more shopping and overall help for our businesses. It's a huge investment to the community and a catalyst for future economic fortune."

The proposed hotel, while carrying the Marriott brand, will be locally invested, Tom Welling, senior vice president of development and facilities for 6PM Hospitality, told commissioners in May.

Welling said the hotel would not include food or beverage components, a deliberate choice to encourage guests to patronize existing downtown businesses.

Overall, Grand Haven City Planner Brian Urquhart said the hotel is a “tremendous opportunity” for the city to “embrace the hospitality industry downtown.”

Urquhart said the proposal marks the first time a development of “this scale” has been considered for the city.  

Detailed process underway

During the May 13 meeting, some concerns were raised by residents and commissioners regarding building height, parking availability and the overall development process. 

The preliminary plan calls for 89 on-site parking spaces and 39 on-street spaces, totaling 128 spaces, which meets the city's requirement of one space per hotel room. Welling stated that the projected 60 percent occupancy for most of the year would align with the on-site parking capacity, with discussions planned with surrounding neighbors to accommodate peak summer demand.

Urquhart said he is confident the city will address concerns raised by the public. 

“6PM Hospitality has expressed a willingness to work with the city on these challenges, proving they will be a great partner throughout the development process,” he said.

The planning commission voted to recommend the zoning change and preliminary development plan to the city council. The recommendation came with nine conditions, including:

• Approval for a five-story building, provided the roof design includes variances as depicted in the preliminary plan.
• Vacation of an existing right-of-way dividing the parcel before final development plan approval.
• The "Sherwood Forest" portion of the development remains open for public use.
• Re-establishment of the tree lawn along Columbus Avenue.
• Provision of landscaping around the perimeter for softening and screening.
• A 6-foot height limit for the dumpster enclosure.
• Submission of a full signage plan with the final development plan.
• Exterior cladding materials meet central business district standards.
• Finalization of the 39 off-site parking spaces through a recorded shared parking agreement or other exemptions before final development plan approval.

If the city council approves the zoning change, developers will return to the planning commission for approval of their final site plan. The city council would then have final approval before any construction begins. The project is anticipated to occur in multiple phases.

Expansion at Holland property

Meanwhile, the Residence Inn Holland recently underwent a $30 million renovation and expansion that added 30 suites to the hotel property.

Owned by Elite Hospitality, based in Sylvan Lake, Michigan, the renovations include an expanded lobby and new bar, fitness center, patio with fire pit and outdoor grill and indoor pool.

The project at the 20-year-old property was a long time coming, said Sharon Adcock, front office manager.

“We had been slated for renovation before, then COVID hit, and then we changed franchise companies. And Elite was totally committed right from day one that we were going to do this, and we were going to add on,” Adcock said.

The Residence Inn, a brand launched by Marriott International in the late 1980s, is an all-suite hotel, where units have full kitchens, living areas, bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate both long- and short-term stays. 

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.long time